Help! - ABC Problem With SL500

[paulferris1964]

I bought a 5 1/2 year old SL500 in May from an independent dealer with 36k on the clock (now, 40k). It had a pretty clean comprehensive AA report.

A couple of weeks ago I had an "ABC: Visit Workshop" warning light come on, but it went off again when I restarted the engine and I thought little more about it. The same warning came up earlier this week and, although it went off again, it seemed time to get it looked at.

My local Surrey main dealer (who I didn't buy it from but who gave the car an A service in June) looked at it this morning and said that it was caused by oil leaking from one of the rear shock absorbers, which needed replacing. They have quoted me £1500 (and say that the part's £900+) to replace it, including a 40% discount on their usual labour rate. Sadly, it doesn't seem to be covered by my AA "5 Star Warranty".

Can anyone with more knowledge of these things than me (which wouldn't be hard...) please tell me:

a) does this sound a likely cause of the problem?
b) does the repair cost sound about right?

Many thanks for any advice you can give.

Paul

 

[colechelle]

A, yes
B, yes

Have seen this a few times now over the years!!

 

[television]

I replaced one and I got a little help from MB 14% towards the cost it does depend on the mileage to a certain extent.

I also removed all of the rear trim that got the labour cost down to £100 plus VAT and payed just under £1k

 

[television]

Been thinking on this,,if the bottom of the strut is just moist, then that is allowable,, every now and then my could would put up the ABC fault,, but for the time being I must wait until my new SAM is programmed on STAR as the car may not know that it has SBC until it is worked hard, like on a pot hole

 

[paulferris1964]

Thanks very much for all your advice. I phoned Ollie and he was extremely helpful, too. However, don't think I can get down to him in the near future, so looks like the main dealer it is.

Paul