SL500 suspension conversion kit

[alexanderfoti]

BC Racing sell Coilovers for the R230 for about £900 but you then need to source front and rear Sway bars, Sway bar links and a power steering pump.

And code out the abc so it's not warning on the dash the whole time.

 

[Craiglxviii]

BC Racing sell Coilovers for the R230 for about £900 but you then need to source front and rear Sway bars, Sway bar links and a power steering pump.

It all depends what the problem is.

New pump: £580
New valve block: £3-400
Refurb valve block: £100-150
New strut: £6-700 (dependent on p/no)

 

[noonboots]

Hi, Im looking for a conversion kit for my sl500 to replace the air suspension, Where would be the place to go . Please help

OK. I'm in the process of doing a coilover conversion on my SL 500 after multiple problems and total loss of confidence in the ABC suspension.
I've scoured the net for weeks for every bit of information on it I can find.
I discounted a couple of the American kits on cost alone. The most well known VVK doesn't ship to UK (they will sell you a front ARB for around £700). Strut masters are not adjustable on height or dampers. The supplier for BC Racing coilovers said they were set for SL 55 and would not be gauranteed. So to cut a long story short.... I've bought Ceika coilovers with dual springs and dampers with comfort settings and ride height from standard to 120mm lower. £945 delivered. The anti roll bars are new SL 350 from MB £314. The power steering pump is aftermarket from the ML 500 £71. The ARB links and ball joints are aftermarket £80. Reprogramme to delete warning lights £100 ish? It all totals at around half of any full kit available.
When finished it will put the suspension worries and expense to bed and the car should/will ride like an SL350.

 

[andynpz]

Swamydoo, You mjght want to contact an indie MB specialist that I rate highly - MB and B in Cheltenham. Easy to find near Tesco on Tewkesbury road. http://mbbcheltenham.co.uk/ Typical charges a third to a half of dealer, and you can speak with the guy who works on your car

 

[Wighty]

OK. I'm in the process of doing a coilover conversion on my SL 500 after multiple problems and total loss of confidence in the ABC suspension.
I've scoured the net for weeks for every bit of information on it I can find.
I discounted a couple of the American kits on cost alone. The most well known VVK doesn't ship to UK (they will sell you a front ARB for around £700). Strut masters are not adjustable on height or dampers. The supplier for BC Racing coilovers said they were set for SL 55 and would not be gauranteed. So to cut a long story short.... I've bought Ceika coilovers with dual springs and dampers with comfort settings and ride height from standard to 120mm lower. £945 delivered. The anti roll bars are new SL 350 from MB £314. The power steering pump is aftermarket from the ML 500 £71. The ARB links and ball joints are aftermarket £80. Reprogramme to delete warning lights £100 ish? It all totals at around half of any full kit available.
When finished it will put the suspension worries and expense to bed and the car should/will ride like an SL350.

I think we are going to need a full new thread on this buddy , with pics . Interesting stuff .

 

[Swamydoo]

OK. I'm in the process of doing a coilover conversion on my SL 500 after multiple problems and total loss of confidence in the ABC suspension.
I've scoured the net for weeks for every bit of information on it I can find.
I discounted a couple of the American kits on cost alone. The most well known VVK doesn't ship to UK (they will sell you a front ARB for around £700). Strut masters are not adjustable on height or dampers. The supplier for BC Racing coilovers said they were set for SL 55 and would not be gauranteed. So to cut a long story short.... I've bought Ceika coilovers with dual springs and dampers with comfort settings and ride height from standard to 120mm lower. £945 delivered. The anti roll bars are new SL 350 from MB £314. The power steering pump is aftermarket from the ML 500 £71. The ARB links and ball joints are aftermarket £80. Reprogramme to delete warning lights £100 ish? It all totals at around half of any full kit available.
When finished it will put the suspension worries and expense to bed and the car should/will ride like an SL350.

Thanks this has made my mind up ,Can you please post part numbers and where you sourced it from? would be a great help.
Your right the American kit is way over priced.

 

[Craiglxviii]

How bad is your ABC that it warrants the strip out and rebuild? What are the problems you’re seeing with it?

 

[LostKiwi]

How bad is your ABC that it warrants the strip out and rebuild? What are the problems you’re seeing with it?

Leaking pump and red light.
I'd still think it cheaper to replace the pump than go to all the hassle of coli conversion.

 

[rayhennig]

I'd still think it cheaper to replace the pump than go to all the hassle of coli conversion.

Yes, so do I. And original too.

R

 

[Swamydoo]

Leaking pump and red light.
I'd still think it cheaper to replace the pump than go to all the hassle of coli conversion.

The pump from mb is £1200 plus vat. The health check from mb is £85.
Pipes and fittings £150ish
Plus labour your getting close to £2000 and it could happen again.
call me crazy but coil overs for me is the best route.

 

[alexanderfoti]

The pump from mb is £1200 plus vat. The health check from mb is £85.
Pipes and fittings £150ish
Plus labour your getting close to £2000 and it could happen again.
call me crazy but coil overs for me is the best route.

Don't buy a pump from mb? or buy MB Reman for £850+ VAT (which is essentially a new pump still)

Or buy something like this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-...191697?hash=item1a46d01511:g:swMAAOSw241YkZ2z

We have fitted a few and no issues.

 

[LostKiwi]

Don't buy a pump from mb? or buy MB Reman for £850+ VAT (which is essentially a new pump still)

Or buy something like this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-...191697?hash=item1a46d01511:g:swMAAOSw241YkZ2z

We have fitted a few and no issues.

At that price I'm tempted to get one as a spare!

 

[Craiglxviii]

The pump from mb is £1200 plus vat. The health check from mb is £85.
Pipes and fittings £150ish
Plus labour your getting close to £2000 and it could happen again.
call me crazy but coil overs for me is the best route.

But those are the prices if you don’t shop around.... as I mentioned earlier there are far lower prices around for all of these items. Especially labour, if you’re thinking of using main stealer.

Believe me. I’ve completely rebuilt the whole ABC system on my car.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Leaking pump and red light.
I'd still think it cheaper to replace the pump than go to all the hassle of coli conversion.

Well that’s an easy fix comparatively speaking. Red light is on due to low system pressure; a new pump is a £700 job.

 

[flowrider]

Comparing replacement costs how much would it cost to replace ABC in it's entirety, pump, struts, pipework, valve blocks, the lot?

 

[alexanderfoti]

5k plus. Some of the lines are very hard to get to. Luckily they don't all go at once

 

[flowrider]

5k plus. Some of the lines are very hard to get to. Luckily they don't all go at once

That makes a £2k conversion look like a viable option.

 

[LostKiwi]

That makes a £2k conversion look like a viable option.

And how likely is it you'd need to replace the lot at once?
You can do pump and all struts for around £1500 parts. That leaves accumulators and valve blocks as the next major items - valve blocks can be easily rebuilt for very little money leaving 4 X accumulators at £80 each or so.
Less than £2k in parts and you know it's all going to fit and give a great ride with superb handling.
Of course you'll never do it all at once so the costs are spread over time and some items may never need doing.
Then at the end of it you have a car that's not been messed with (which is how I'd view a coil converted car - messed with and a very unknown quantity for ride/handling coupled to declared mods on insurance).

 

[bembo449]

5k plus. Some of the lines are very hard to get to. Luckily they don't all go at once

You would have to love a car to spend that sort of money on it

 

[alexanderfoti]

You would have to love a car to spend that sort of money on it

Yeah but it's a nonsense statement as the car is never going to need all the lines replacing at once...... The lines are where the labour is.