E450 Coupe Air Body Control: Worth It?
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E450 Coupe Air Body Control: Worth It?
I'm pretty close to honing in on my spec for the E450 Coupe. I'm trying to figure out if the Air Body Control is worth the reasonably hefty premium. Any experiences or advice from the group here? Thank you!
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Joined: Jul 2018
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2024 GLS580; 2019 E450 4M Coupe; 2019 Lexus ES350
We just did a European delivery for our E450 coupe without ABC and the ride was perfectly smooth while we drove around Germany and Switzerland. I personally don't think it's worth it but you'll hear others whom swear by it. My suggestion is to test drive one before pulling the trigger.
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From: Cape Cod
E450 wagon, C43 AMG Cpe, GLE AMG 63S
I have it on my E 400 cab and think it is worth the investment. These cars are now riding on rock hard run flat tires that negatively effect the ride quality. I have factory 19" wheels and the narrow side walls only add to the harshness of the ride. I would not recommend ordering/buying a car without it. I would like to change over to non run flats but don't like the idea of being without a spare. I strongly recommend ABC.
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It is a great feature to have but long term it cost $$ to fix vs the standard suspension. Also, get rid of the awful run flats that come with the car.
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MB’s of all kinds.
I have it on my E 400 cab and think it is worth the investment. These cars are now riding on rock hard run flat tires that negatively effect the ride quality. I have factory 19" wheels and the narrow side walls only add to the harshness of the ride. I would not recommend ordering/buying a car without it. I would like to change over to non run flats but don't like the idea of being without a spare. I strongly recommend ABC.
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Joined: Nov 2018
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From: UK
MY19 E450 4MATIC Coupé
I didn't order the ABC on my E450 coupe and I've found the ride to be great on my car, even with runflats on the 20" wheels - even on UK roads which are far from the best.
Would the ride have been even better with ABC? I'm sure it would have been but I don't regret my decision not to purchase it. Didn't seem worth it at the time, and my opinion hasn't changed now that I'm living with the car. It's the still the best riding car that I've owned so far.
Would the ride have been even better with ABC? I'm sure it would have been but I don't regret my decision not to purchase it. Didn't seem worth it at the time, and my opinion hasn't changed now that I'm living with the car. It's the still the best riding car that I've owned so far.
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From: Venice Florida
2018 S560
I'm fine without it on both my wagon and cab. The only real advantage I can see with it is if you parked over a curb that was too high you could push the button on the dash and raise the car without tearing off your front bumper, that and to raise the car in snowy weather. I don't think the ride is all that much different, if anything with the ABC the right is more firm and less complaint.
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I'm fine without it on both my wagon and cab. The only real advantage I can see with it is if you parked over a curb that was too high you could push the button on the dash and raise the car without tearing off your front bumper, that and to raise the car in snowy weather. I don't think the ride is all that much different, if anything with the ABC the right is more firm and less complaint.
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From: Greater Cleveland area
2019 Dune Silver Metallic E-450 Mercedes Cabriolet NEW Mercedes 2020 GLC300 graphite gray SUV
I did test drive both before I ordered my E450 CAB, and I didn't notice much of a difference, other than the ABC was a little firmer ride. Plus, having read on the forum prior, the additional expense in repairing, it became an easy decision.
Love the ride and handling on my non-ABC Mercedes, and don't regret saving the money one bit.
Love the ride and handling on my non-ABC Mercedes, and don't regret saving the money one bit.
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Joined: Apr 2014
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From: United Kingdom
Weekend: 2010 SL 350 r230 Weekdays: 2018 E220d Coupe
I didn't order the ABC on my E450 coupe and I've found the ride to be great on my car, even with runflats on the 20" wheels - even on UK roads which are far from the best.
Would the ride have been even better with ABC? I'm sure it would have been but I don't regret my decision not to purchase it. Didn't seem worth it at the time, and my opinion hasn't changed now that I'm living with the car. It's the still the best riding car that I've owned so far.
Would the ride have been even better with ABC? I'm sure it would have been but I don't regret my decision not to purchase it. Didn't seem worth it at the time, and my opinion hasn't changed now that I'm living with the car. It's the still the best riding car that I've owned so far.
Before I got the coupe, I had a W213 sedan with 19” runflats and ABC and the car felt a tad “wallowy.” NB, in the UK, the coupe is lower than the sedan.
People (including me) tend to recommend what they have themselves. I suggest you find a dealer that can let you try both. Don’t assume ABC is better because it costs more...
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From: Northeast USA
AMG CLE 53
These pictures should give you an idea of the adjustability of the air suspension. This is an E53 Coupe, but the range should be similar to the E450. The top picture is at the highest (raised) position. The bottom picture is in Sport+.
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E300 Coupe (C238)
The raising and lowering of the car might not look like much but it feels like a totally different car from the driver's seat . Also airmatic suspension doesn't only change the ride height. It changes the stiffness of each corner depending on the needs (for example in a turn). Also it automatically levels the car when you load the car unevenly, which means not squatting cars even though you pack the trunk to the rim. I have it on my e300 and definitely recommend it even if you planned on keeping the car . I believe the positives outweigh the negatives .
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From: United Kingdom
Weekend: 2010 SL 350 r230 Weekdays: 2018 E220d Coupe
The raising and lowering of the car might not look like much but it feels like a totally different car from the driver's seat . Also airmatic suspension doesn't only change the ride height. It changes the stiffness of each corner depending on the needs (for example in a turn). Also it automatically levels the car when you load the car unevenly, which means not squatting cars even though you pack the trunk to the rim. I have it on my e300 and definitely recommend it even if you planned on keeping the car . I believe the positives outweigh the negatives .
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From: UK
MY19 E450 4MATIC Coupé
My E450 coupe without ABC sits pretty much as high as yours in the raised position. I was a little disappointed with this to be honest but I'm used to it now.
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From: San Antonio TX
2015 S550 Coup, 2017 Golf R , 2018 BMW M2 (wifes)
I have an S550 that I am about trade in on an E450 - the S has an earlier version of the ABC and I love it- it makes a VERY heavy car (~4800 lb with 4 wheel drive) drive much smaller than it is- very little squat (You cant hide ALL 4800 lb.)
My new E450 will have it. Period. Go over the SL forum and ABC is all the rage (With Curve control too that the E series doesnt have ) and it is a 4000$ option!
My new E450 will have it. Period. Go over the SL forum and ABC is all the rage (With Curve control too that the E series doesnt have ) and it is a 4000$ option!
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
I have an S550 that I am about trade in on an E450 - the S has an earlier version of the ABC and I love it- it makes a VERY heavy car (~4800 lb with 4 wheel drive) drive much smaller than it is- very little squat (You cant hide ALL 4800 lb.)
My new E450 will have it. Period. Go over the SL forum and ABC is all the rage (With Curve control too that the E series doesnt have ) and it is a 4000$ option!
My new E450 will have it. Period. Go over the SL forum and ABC is all the rage (With Curve control too that the E series doesnt have ) and it is a 4000$ option!
Member
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 218
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From: San Antonio TX
2015 S550 Coup, 2017 Golf R , 2018 BMW M2 (wifes)
Keeps the car flat in the corners for sure and provides a much cushier ride.
If I were you I would ABSOLUTELY get it- oh and the newer ABC that you would get is the NEW version that fixed a lot mechanical issues that the OLD ABC system had. And also the E class does NOT have the CURVE function that the SL ABC has.
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