ESP/ASR/traction control: Differences between C32 and C55
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 256
Likes: 31
W209 CLK55 - 2003
ESP/ASR/traction control: Differences between C32 and C55
I've read a number of posts on the subject, dating back a few years.
Differences between C55 and C32, includes the following in a post from PC Valkyrie:
Dynamic Control Systems:
Compared to the C32, all of the C55's dynamic-handling control systems, such as the ABS anti-lock braking system, the braking assistant, the ASR acceleration skid control system, and the ESP, were reworked and modified in comprehensive calculations and test drives. For example, the acceleration skid control system now has a traction function when the ESP is shut off. When a car enters a curve at high speed, the system determines when the back tire on the inside part of the curve starts to slip and can brake it to a precisely calculated degree without throttling back the power. The effect that is created corresponds to that of a mechanical locking differential and promotes the traction of the driven wheels.
This thread is also good, with more from PC Valkyrie:
Dynamic-handling control systems comprehensively overhauled
All of the dynamic-handling control systems, such as the ABS anti-lock braking system, the braking assistant, the ASR acceleration skid control system, and the ESP® Electronic Stability Program, were reworked and modified in comprehensive calculations and test drives. For example, the acceleration skid control system now has a traction function when the ESP® is shut off. When a car enters a curve at high speed, the system determines when the back tyre on the inside part of the curve starts to slip and can brake it to a precisely calculated degree. The effect that is created corresponds to that of a mechanical locking differential and promotes the traction of the driven wheels. Even when shut off, the ESP® recognizes a potentially unstable driving situation, for example when the driver suddenly applies the brakes. Within milliseconds, the ESP is completely available again. A potential accident can thus be prevented. What's more, the control processes in all operating conditions have been made more harmonious. "
What I am keen to understand is what that translates to in real world use. In other words, how would you tell a C32 and C55 apart, both with ESP on and with it off. Would it be something that could be noticed on the street, for example turning in the road? What about on the track?
Differences between C55 and C32, includes the following in a post from PC Valkyrie:
Dynamic Control Systems:
Compared to the C32, all of the C55's dynamic-handling control systems, such as the ABS anti-lock braking system, the braking assistant, the ASR acceleration skid control system, and the ESP, were reworked and modified in comprehensive calculations and test drives. For example, the acceleration skid control system now has a traction function when the ESP is shut off. When a car enters a curve at high speed, the system determines when the back tire on the inside part of the curve starts to slip and can brake it to a precisely calculated degree without throttling back the power. The effect that is created corresponds to that of a mechanical locking differential and promotes the traction of the driven wheels.
This thread is also good, with more from PC Valkyrie:
Dynamic-handling control systems comprehensively overhauled
All of the dynamic-handling control systems, such as the ABS anti-lock braking system, the braking assistant, the ASR acceleration skid control system, and the ESP® Electronic Stability Program, were reworked and modified in comprehensive calculations and test drives. For example, the acceleration skid control system now has a traction function when the ESP® is shut off. When a car enters a curve at high speed, the system determines when the back tyre on the inside part of the curve starts to slip and can brake it to a precisely calculated degree. The effect that is created corresponds to that of a mechanical locking differential and promotes the traction of the driven wheels. Even when shut off, the ESP® recognizes a potentially unstable driving situation, for example when the driver suddenly applies the brakes. Within milliseconds, the ESP is completely available again. A potential accident can thus be prevented. What's more, the control processes in all operating conditions have been made more harmonious. "
What I am keen to understand is what that translates to in real world use. In other words, how would you tell a C32 and C55 apart, both with ESP on and with it off. Would it be something that could be noticed on the street, for example turning in the road? What about on the track?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 254
Likes: 34
From: Oregon
2006 ML350, 2005 C55, 2004 E55
Marketing speak and wishful thinking. The ESP system in 2005 C55 and earlier C32 is hindrance at best and nuisance at worst. Wish I was kidding here but the ESP on my 2010 Prius is heads a shoulders above my C55 or E55 in performance driving situations.
Here's an all too common scenario on my C55, ESP is turned off, I launch the car, get too much wheelspin, back off a bit and the ESP proceeds to completely override my throttle input of 75% and chime in with about 20% until the tires stop spinning, followed by another second of throttle restriction and then I get full power back. While attempting to slide the back end the e-diff starts working, slide is going great then all of a sudden ESP decided the car is out of control and tries to intervene, I say tries because you can feel the brakes grabbing at individual wheels, feed it full throttle to keep the slide going and it stops for a few seconds only to try the same thing again about a second later and again, and again. Absolutely sucks the fun out of the car.
I don't understand the point of ESP intervening when it's turned off, you can easily spin the car out into a ditch while the system is off but when you're trying to have some fun it decides NEIN and acts like your mother when she sees you hooning.
The ESP system in the C32 does not have this stupid "nanny" but it's just as ineffective when it comes to actually managing traction, it cuts throttle and grabs at the brakes seemingly at random.
Here's an all too common scenario on my C55, ESP is turned off, I launch the car, get too much wheelspin, back off a bit and the ESP proceeds to completely override my throttle input of 75% and chime in with about 20% until the tires stop spinning, followed by another second of throttle restriction and then I get full power back. While attempting to slide the back end the e-diff starts working, slide is going great then all of a sudden ESP decided the car is out of control and tries to intervene, I say tries because you can feel the brakes grabbing at individual wheels, feed it full throttle to keep the slide going and it stops for a few seconds only to try the same thing again about a second later and again, and again. Absolutely sucks the fun out of the car.
I don't understand the point of ESP intervening when it's turned off, you can easily spin the car out into a ditch while the system is off but when you're trying to have some fun it decides NEIN and acts like your mother when she sees you hooning.
The ESP system in the C32 does not have this stupid "nanny" but it's just as ineffective when it comes to actually managing traction, it cuts throttle and grabs at the brakes seemingly at random.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 256
Likes: 31
W209 CLK55 - 2003
Marketing speak and wishful thinking. The ESP system in 2005 C55 and earlier C32 is hindrance at best and nuisance at worst. Wish I was kidding here but the ESP on my 2010 Prius is heads a shoulders above my C55 or E55 in performance driving situations.
Here's an all too common scenario on my C55, ESP is turned off, I launch the car, get too much wheelspin, back off a bit and the ESP proceeds to completely override my throttle input of 75% and chime in with about 20% until the tires stop spinning, followed by another second of throttle restriction and then I get full power back. While attempting to slide the back end the e-diff starts working, slide is going great then all of a sudden ESP decided the car is out of control and tries to intervene, I say tries because you can feel the brakes grabbing at individual wheels, feed it full throttle to keep the slide going and it stops for a few seconds only to try the same thing again about a second later and again, and again. Absolutely sucks the fun out of the car.
I don't understand the point of ESP intervening when it's turned off, you can easily spin the car out into a ditch while the system is off but when you're trying to have some fun it decides NEIN and acts like your mother when she sees you hooning.
The ESP system in the C32 does not have this stupid "nanny" but it's just as ineffective when it comes to actually managing traction, it cuts throttle and grabs at the brakes seemingly at random.
Here's an all too common scenario on my C55, ESP is turned off, I launch the car, get too much wheelspin, back off a bit and the ESP proceeds to completely override my throttle input of 75% and chime in with about 20% until the tires stop spinning, followed by another second of throttle restriction and then I get full power back. While attempting to slide the back end the e-diff starts working, slide is going great then all of a sudden ESP decided the car is out of control and tries to intervene, I say tries because you can feel the brakes grabbing at individual wheels, feed it full throttle to keep the slide going and it stops for a few seconds only to try the same thing again about a second later and again, and again. Absolutely sucks the fun out of the car.
I don't understand the point of ESP intervening when it's turned off, you can easily spin the car out into a ditch while the system is off but when you're trying to have some fun it decides NEIN and acts like your mother when she sees you hooning.
The ESP system in the C32 does not have this stupid "nanny" but it's just as ineffective when it comes to actually managing traction, it cuts throttle and grabs at the brakes seemingly at random.
I ask because the C32 based CLK55 traction control in my car is terrible, particularly on a circuit. Even when ESP is off, it will cut power to both wheels when coming out of a corner, unless you wait until you are well past it and the car is totally straight. That makes track days quite frustrating. I was thinking that the inside wheel braking of the C55 ECU might address some of that. Still not great, but potentially just allowing to get on the power a little bit earlier.
Have you ever driven a C32, or a CLK55 to compare?
I'm not thinking of drifting it or anything like that, and certainly don't see myself going out and buying an LSD just yet, just getting a bit more from what I have!
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 254
Likes: 34
From: Oregon
2006 ML350, 2005 C55, 2004 E55
I haven't had the C55 on the track yet but driven very aggressively on the street the ESP-off lets the car get loose without cutting power, especially on corner exit.
It's possible your tires sizes are messing with the ESP, if you're too far off from stock it may be reading incorrect wheel speed and kicking in too early.
It's possible your tires sizes are messing with the ESP, if you're too far off from stock it may be reading incorrect wheel speed and kicking in too early.
