How to value AHC suspension? (4 Viewers)

[DD9999]

I'm trying to make my first purchase of a 100 series LX and I'm struggling to determine if I'll want a truck that still has AHC but needs some work or if its best to look for a truck with the AHC deleted. There is this LX on BaT right now with it deleted and I'm considering bidding on it but I feel that the price is going to be high considering there is no AHC anymore. Any guidance on this topic would be much appreciated!

The other models I am looking at have AHC but are near 200K miles compared to the LX on BaT that has 93K miles but the AHC deleted. Essentially I am wondering if its worth it to pay a premium of 20K for the well kept non-AHC LX vs. Less than 10K for a higher mileage truck with AHC but may need some work.

 

[BullElk]

"Any guidance" IMO...... I think the value of knowing that this LX on BaT already has had the AHC replaced, the exhaust replaced and is from Maryland is worthy of not bidding on this overrated and overpriced LX.

The high price on this LX is solely based on the least important factor, the odometer, when assessing a decent to good deal. That low mileage of 93k, is by no means an idicator of having less issues and therefore warranting the high price. The AHC and muffler are just two examples.

 

[97 AZ LC]

No need to speculate on whether the BAT LX is going to be too high - it's already too high, by several thousand dollars, with 5 hours to go. I pay no attention to the presence or absence of AHC. It's the easiest conversion in the history of over-engineered suspensions and the cost is inconsequential - should you decide to convert.

 

[DD9999]

Thanks for the guidance here! That makes my decision easy

 

[77pantera]

It's at $16k already, has rotted out rockers, and someone rattled canned everything underneath a fresh coat of flat black.
BaT never fails to amaze me

 

[BullElk]

A replaced muffler is red flag for rust. And AHC lines in this particular case. Many more and better LX options available.

 

[baltistyle]

Came here to echo the rust issues. Nobody removes ahc from a truck unless it is a rusty piece of junk. Mileage is not an issue but rust is. Good luck on your search.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Came here to echo the rust issues. Nobody removes ahc from a truck unless it is a rusty piece of junk. Mileage is not an issue but rust is. Good luck on your search.

I feel like I'm constantly replying to new owners that show up in the 100 section and say something along the lines of "I just bought my 100 and don't know much about it. Obviously, I have to remove the AHC immediately so I'm looking at [insert random low cost lift kit company here] as my very first task."

AHC's [mostly false] reputation precedes it.

 

[DD9999]

This has been very helpful, thanks for all the feedback!

I live in Massachusetts so unfortunately finding a 100 series without rust is incredibly difficult

 

[77pantera]

I live in Massachusetts so unfortunately finding a 100 series without rust is incredibly difficult

There's an entire country out there.
I live in one of the rustiest places in the rust belt, I only buy cars from out west or down south.
Make a fun roadtrip out of it. My 100 began life in SoCal then went to Colorado before I brought it up north.

 

[baltistyle]

There's an entire country out there.
I live in one of the rustiest places in the rust belt, I only buy cars from out west or down south.
Make a fun roadtrip out of it. My 100 began life in SoCal then went to Colorado before I brought it up north.

Yup, also from a salty area and I got mine (the second time around after the first was to rusty to invest in) in mint shape from NC.

 

[baltistyle]

I feel like I'm constantly replying to new owners that show up in the 100 section and say something along the lines of "I just bought my 100 and don't know much about it. Obviously, I have to remove the AHC immediately so I'm looking at [insert random low cost lift kit company here] as my very first task."

AHC's [mostly false] reputation precedes it.

Yeah I don’t get it. I currently have ahc, Mercedes abc, and Mercedes airmatic. Every system has been very easy diy. Figure out the flow and how the valves work and everything is very logical. Most problems are due to a poor environment and no rust protection like fluid film and owners not protecting/cleaning the electrical parts if there is water intrusion. Fluids, air bubbles and worn out pumps are similar to any other system on the car needing bleeding or maintenance. Accumulators are dampeners for the fluid, not some magical system. Height control sensors last best when clean and protected. All very easy peasy.

If people would just purchase the best condition car vs the lowest mileage, the outlook would be better. Many Mercedes people are terrified of abc but that’s with dealer pricing and unwilling or uneducated mechanics. There’s a whole world of parts out there to get it done and it’s just a normal shock install with one connection to a hydraulic line, air line, or electrical plug.

And of course thanks to people like you Supra that help explain it to others time and time again.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Yeah I don’t get it. I currently have ahc, Mercedes abc, and Mercedes airmatic. Every system has been very easy diy. Figure out the flow and how the valves work and everything is very logical. Most problems are due to a poor environment and no rust protection like fluid film and owners not protecting/cleaning the electrical parts if there is water intrusion. Fluids, air bubbles and worn out pumps are similar to any other system on the car needing bleeding or maintenance. Accumulators are dampeners for the fluid, not some magical system. Height control sensors last best when clean and protected. All very easy peasy.

If people would just purchase the best condition car vs the lowest mileage, the outlook would be better. Many Mercedes people are terrified of abc but that’s with dealer pricing and unwilling or uneducated mechanics. There’s a whole world of parts out there to get it done and it’s just a normal shock install with one connection to a hydraulic line, air line, or electrical plug.

And of course thanks to people like you Supra that help explain it to others time and time again.

How's the ABC? My final two picks for commuter were a Model S and a S class with ABC. I went electric and while the acceleration is still mind boggling I still wonder how comfy and isolated an ABC S-Class might be...

 

[baltistyle]

How's the ABC? My final two picks for commuter were a Model S and a S class with ABC. I went electric and while the acceleration is still mind boggling I still wonder how comfy and isolated an ABC S-Class might be...

So I have a low mileage w220 s55 113k Amg. Previously having an e55 w211 and now also having a 13 w212 e63 p30, I can say that the sclass is a very different level in terms of quiet ride and suspension. The s55 has height adjustments and firmness settings. The 220 was known to have issues with abc (similar to ahc but it’s been fine to work on) but the 221 was said to be even better with more adjustments , and then the newer 222 are even better, and in terms of reliability. I tend to like older cars and am not into all the tech so I think the FL 223 is amazing but not going to be a long term reliable vehicle because it went too techy. The Tesla’s are fast but nothing like the luxury and comfort of an S. The materials are top of the class in the respective years. Even owners of the new models remark that the 221 was the best of the modern models. My personal dream would be a 222 sclass in a 63 or 65 model, with the full executive rear seating, pre 2019. The newest models are bombing a bit because the ev is too expensive, engines are being made smaller, and depreciation from Covid times are dissuading long time sclass buyers, imho. The younger buyers that got rich quick and just got a new sclass also didn’t realize what the true depreciation is during normal economic times. Also imho.

If you havent driven one, or more, time to try it out. Not sure if you’re a new car buyer, etc.

 

[Hoserock]

I'm trying to make my first purchase of a 100 series LX and I'm struggling to determine if I'll want a truck that still has AHC but needs some work or if its best to look for a truck with the AHC deleted. There is this LX on BaT right now with it deleted and I'm considering bidding on it but I feel that the price is going to be high considering there is no AHC anymore. Any guidance on this topic would be much appreciated!

The other models I am looking at have AHC but are near 200K miles compared to the LX on BaT that has 93K miles but the AHC deleted. Essentially I am wondering if its worth it to pay a premium of 20K for the well kept non-AHC LX vs. Less than 10K for a higher mileage truck with AHC but may need some work.

I have a 470 with AHC at 196k, although it works fine it's still on the back of my mind constantly. With the amount of money you're saving you can put less than 2k aside for a stage 1 set up. Focus more on when timing belt was last done, heater T hoses, gear fluids, rust, and most important, weather or not the AC button works. Look for weeping hoses like at the power steering reservoir and radiator. hope this helps.

 

[suprarx7nut]

So I have a low mileage w220 s55 113k Amg. Previously having an e55 w211 and now also having a 13 w212 e63 p30, I can say that the sclass is a very different level in terms of quiet ride and suspension. The s55 has height adjustments and firmness settings. The 220 was known to have issues with abc (similar to ahc but it’s been fine to work on) but the 221 was said to be even better with more adjustments , and then the newer 222 are even better, and in terms of reliability. I tend to like older cars and am not into all the tech so I think the FL 223 is amazing but not going to be a long term reliable vehicle because it went too techy. The Tesla’s are fast but nothing like the luxury and comfort of an S. The materials are top of the class in the respective years. Even owners of the new models remark that the 221 was the best of the modern models. My personal dream would be a 222 sclass in a 63 or 65 model, with the full executive rear seating, pre 2019. The newest models are bombing a bit because the ev is too expensive, engines are being made smaller, and depreciation from Covid times are dissuading long time sclass buyers, imho. The younger buyers that got rich quick and just got a new sclass also didn’t realize what the true depreciation is during normal economic times. Also imho.

If you havent driven one, or more, time to try it out. Not sure if you’re a new car buyer, etc.

I was looking at the W221 S65. The Model S was a spreadsheet decision, based around some cost and time savings. Funnily enough I think the depreciation on the S65 would have been less than my Model S has been, haha. I'm down around $45k in 2 years, which is more than I counted on. That said, the gas savings offsets at least a quarter of that. Saving a twice a week trip to the gas station has also been nice.

I have not driven any S class to date, but that's still top of my radar. I do a LOT of highway miles. 20k per year.

 

[J1000]

AHC is the best. It costs less than $1000 to get new globes, new pump, and new fluid and then you're good for another ~250k miles.

 

[baltistyle]

I was looking at the W221 S65. The Model S was a spreadsheet decision, based around some cost and time savings. Funnily enough I think the depreciation on the S65 would have been less than my Model S has been, haha. I'm down around $45k in 2 years, which is more than I counted on. That said, the gas savings offsets at least a quarter of that. Saving a twice a week trip to the gas station has also been nice.

I have not driven any S class to date, but that's still top of my radar. I do a LOT of highway miles. 20k per year.

Not to be off topic for too long, you owe it to yourself to drive one. I don’t think there are many better highway cruisers out there.

This one is a beauty, no idea if actually clean or not but it’s a nice looking beast.

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[MongooseGA]

I wouldn't assign any particular value to AHC vs conventional suspension as it pertains to market pricing. Some people (like me) would want the AHC, but plenty of people aren't familiar with the system and would be just as happy to avoid it.

Came here to echo the rust issues. Nobody removes ahc from a truck unless it is a rusty piece of junk.

So that's definitely not true. Lots of people, myself included, remove AHC for other reasons than rust.

Having said that, I now recognize that was probably a mistake and I encourage anyone to keep the system when possible.

I have not driven any S class to date, but that's still top of my radar. I do a LOT of highway miles. 20k per year.

I feel like we'd be good friends in real life. And if we were really good friends, I would never not give you grief for choosing a Tesla over a V12 Benz.

 

[suprarx7nut]

I feel like we'd be good friends in real life. And if we were really good friends, I would never not give you grief for choosing a Tesla over a V12 Benz.

Haha, and I'd deserve it! I suspect a V12 AMG will make it's way into my garage soon enough. At least I'm hoping so!