2020 GLC300 RWD is a great car
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 179
Likes: 29
From: Arizona
2020 GLC300 touring version (but I miss my '93 300SE W140 tank)
2020 GLC300 RWD is a great car
Most forum postings seem to be valid questions and discussions and I am very happy to be able to use this resource.
But I gotta say my car is a great little car! 38,500 miles in 14 months ownership and not one factory installed thing has gone wrong. I’ve been looking at E and S class cars but they ride badly on the lousy roads we use in Arizona and California. I praise the 60 series Michelin Defenders I replaced the OEM Contis with. Big, tall rubber balloons can absorb potholes, voids, wrinkles and debris way better than 30 or 45 series no matter how miraculous (read expensive) the suspension is.
I always tell people my W140 was the best car I ever owned, but it was just too expensive to maintain.
Just my opinion
But I gotta say my car is a great little car! 38,500 miles in 14 months ownership and not one factory installed thing has gone wrong. I’ve been looking at E and S class cars but they ride badly on the lousy roads we use in Arizona and California. I praise the 60 series Michelin Defenders I replaced the OEM Contis with. Big, tall rubber balloons can absorb potholes, voids, wrinkles and debris way better than 30 or 45 series no matter how miraculous (read expensive) the suspension is.
I always tell people my W140 was the best car I ever owned, but it was just too expensive to maintain.
Just my opinion
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,222
Likes: 6,278
Most forum postings seem to be valid questions and discussions and I am very happy to be able to use this resource.
But I gotta say my car is a great little car! 38,500 miles in 14 months ownership and not one factory installed thing has gone wrong. I’ve been looking at E and S class cars but they ride badly on the lousy roads we use in Arizona and California. I praise the 60 series Michelin Defenders I replaced the OEM Contis with. Big, tall rubber balloons can absorb potholes, voids, wrinkles and debris way better than 30 or 45 series no matter how miraculous (read expensive) the suspension is.
I always tell people my W140 was the best car I ever owned, but it was just too expensive to maintain.
Just my opinion
But I gotta say my car is a great little car! 38,500 miles in 14 months ownership and not one factory installed thing has gone wrong. I’ve been looking at E and S class cars but they ride badly on the lousy roads we use in Arizona and California. I praise the 60 series Michelin Defenders I replaced the OEM Contis with. Big, tall rubber balloons can absorb potholes, voids, wrinkles and debris way better than 30 or 45 series no matter how miraculous (read expensive) the suspension is.
I always tell people my W140 was the best car I ever owned, but it was just too expensive to maintain.
Just my opinion
Did those aforementioned cars just have base suspension or very low profile run-flat tires causing the bad ride quality and your GLC have high profile, adaptive suspension and non run-flats?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 179
Likes: 29
From: Arizona
2020 GLC300 touring version (but I miss my '93 300SE W140 tank)
The sedans had “selective damping” and low profile run-flats.
My GLC has base suspension and non run-flats.
Its just physics, isn’t it?
My GLC has base suspension and non run-flats.
Its just physics, isn’t it?
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,222
Likes: 6,278
True on the physics but I was surprised when you even said the S-Class is not as good riding as your GLC. Perhaps the S-Class with Magic Body Control will change your opinion?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 179
Likes: 29
From: Arizona
2020 GLC300 touring version (but I miss my '93 300SE W140 tank)
I’ve never heard of “Magic Body Control”. Is it free of charge?
If it is still a physical connection between the wheels and the frame, I’m gonna stick with physics.
The “air” suspension of my GLC hasn’t let me down yet
If I am understanding my years of automobiling, suspension has at least two jobs: minimizing the effect of a tire’s impact on changes in road surface, and controlling body lean, dive, and roll when lateral g forces appear. In the first case, given the impact will occur equally for all, it’s the car’s response to the impact we are talking about. All I am saying is that the composition and construction of the tire and the volume of compressible air will make a greater difference in absorption of that impact than whatever suspension can do which, by definition, occurs after the fact. Magic might require the suspension can foresee and prepare for an upcoming impact. I haven’t heard we were there yet but I hope so! 3d camera analysis at road level?
If it is still a physical connection between the wheels and the frame, I’m gonna stick with physics.
The “air” suspension of my GLC hasn’t let me down yet
If I am understanding my years of automobiling, suspension has at least two jobs: minimizing the effect of a tire’s impact on changes in road surface, and controlling body lean, dive, and roll when lateral g forces appear. In the first case, given the impact will occur equally for all, it’s the car’s response to the impact we are talking about. All I am saying is that the composition and construction of the tire and the volume of compressible air will make a greater difference in absorption of that impact than whatever suspension can do which, by definition, occurs after the fact. Magic might require the suspension can foresee and prepare for an upcoming impact. I haven’t heard we were there yet but I hope so! 3d camera analysis at road level?
Last edited by edpare; May 15, 2023 at 05:58 PM.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,222
Likes: 6,278
There is also E-Active Body Control that was once available on the GLE and then was discontinued and only the GLS and S-Class gets it
ABC is the old system on various MB models Active Body Control
then there is another system not sure which was more recent called Air Body Control they use the same acronym but are somewhat different.
Last but not least there is Dynamic Body Control but that is not air based.
Regular suspension is standard and then adaptive suspension (but not air) is optional on some MB models.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 497
Likes: 196
From: Palm Beach, Fl
2016 S550 sport, 2018 GLC300, M3, Zo7, 2021 Sierra Denali
I have a 2018 GLC...no air suspension...the 2020 GLC has air suspension ?? My S550 has air, rides very nice, but our base GLC with Michelin defenders is a VERY nice ride, no complaints.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 6,987
Likes: 2,187
From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
Magic Body Control is the air suspension specifically developed for the S-Class.
There is also E-Active Body Control that was once available on the GLE and then was discontinued and only the GLS and S-Class gets it
ABC is the old system on various MB models Active Body Control
then there is another system not sure which was more recent called Air Body Control they use the same acronym but are somewhat different.
Last but not least there is Dynamic Body Control but that is not air based.
Regular suspension is standard and then adaptive suspension (but not air) is optional on some MB models.
There is also E-Active Body Control that was once available on the GLE and then was discontinued and only the GLS and S-Class gets it
ABC is the old system on various MB models Active Body Control
then there is another system not sure which was more recent called Air Body Control they use the same acronym but are somewhat different.
Last but not least there is Dynamic Body Control but that is not air based.
Regular suspension is standard and then adaptive suspension (but not air) is optional on some MB models.
And then their resurrection of old names for new packages, and press release photos showing a previous version.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,222
Likes: 6,278
Please educate me, I am curious what are the other systems I missed, genuinely curious.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,222
Likes: 6,278
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 179
Likes: 29
From: Arizona
2020 GLC300 touring version (but I miss my '93 300SE W140 tank)
I put “air” in quotes as a joke: the tires have air in them. Don’t our GLCs have gas-dampened shocks?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 179
Likes: 29
From: Arizona
2020 GLC300 touring version (but I miss my '93 300SE W140 tank)
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 497
Likes: 196
From: Palm Beach, Fl
2016 S550 sport, 2018 GLC300, M3, Zo7, 2021 Sierra Denali
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 497
Likes: 196
From: Palm Beach, Fl
2016 S550 sport, 2018 GLC300, M3, Zo7, 2021 Sierra Denali
I wouldnt say that. I have the standard air suspension with AMG sport package with comes with 20" rims. I live in Florida so we have nice roads. But I have driven it in many other states with marginal roads and no complaints. If I still lived up north with crappy roads i would bet the GLC with a bigger sidewall and Michelin Defenders may be a better ride with all those potholes.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 362
Likes: 186
2018 S560, 2004 SL500, 2014 S550 (SOLD), 2012 S550 x2(SOLD), 2007 CL600 (SOLD), 2007 S600(SOLD)
If we're talking about the W222 S-Class, there are two suspension offerings. Airmatic and Magic Body Control. Airmatic is a standard air suspension with adjustable damping and self leveling. Magic Body Control is based on ABC(Active Body Control) which is an active suspension system with a camera that can read the road and adjust to different conditions. Magic Body Control is actually based on coilspring suspension with a hydraulic component that can almost instantaneously adjust spring rate. It keeps the car level in almost all situations. Quite impressive.
In terms of ride quality vs a GLC, I live in AZ as well. I understand ride quality can be subjective to a certain degree but I'm shocked to hear you think it rides better than an S-Class.
In terms of ride quality vs a GLC, I live in AZ as well. I understand ride quality can be subjective to a certain degree but I'm shocked to hear you think it rides better than an S-Class.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,222
Likes: 6,278
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,222
Likes: 6,278
I wouldnt say that. I have the standard air suspension with AMG sport package with comes with 20" rims. I live in Florida so we have nice roads. But I have driven it in many other states with marginal roads and no complaints. If I still lived up north with crappy roads i would bet the GLC with a bigger sidewall and Michelin Defenders may be a better ride with all those potholes.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,222
Likes: 6,278
If we're talking about the W222 S-Class, there are two suspension offerings. Airmatic and Magic Body Control. Airmatic is a standard air suspension with adjustable damping and self leveling. Magic Body Control is based on ABC(Active Body Control) which is an active suspension system with a camera that can read the road and adjust to different conditions. Magic Body Control is actually based on coilspring suspension with a hydraulic component that can almost instantaneously adjust spring rate. It keeps the car level in almost all situations. Quite impressive.
In terms of ride quality vs a GLC, I live in AZ as well. I understand ride quality can be subjective to a certain degree but I'm shocked to hear you think it rides better than an S-Class.
In terms of ride quality vs a GLC, I live in AZ as well. I understand ride quality can be subjective to a certain degree but I'm shocked to hear you think it rides better than an S-Class.
I believe E-Active Body Control is the more advanced version of Magic Body Control right just to add to the mix?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 362
Likes: 186
2018 S560, 2004 SL500, 2014 S550 (SOLD), 2012 S550 x2(SOLD), 2007 CL600 (SOLD), 2007 S600(SOLD)
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,222
Likes: 6,278
I see so I got it wrong then and E-ABC came before the V167 GLE?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 362
Likes: 186
2018 S560, 2004 SL500, 2014 S550 (SOLD), 2012 S550 x2(SOLD), 2007 CL600 (SOLD), 2007 S600(SOLD)
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 179
Likes: 29
From: Arizona
2020 GLC300 touring version (but I miss my '93 300SE W140 tank)
If we're talking about the W222 S-Class, there are two suspension offerings. Airmatic and Magic Body Control. Airmatic is a standard air suspension with adjustable damping and self leveling. Magic Body Control is based on ABC(Active Body Control) which is an active suspension system with a camera that can read the road and adjust to different conditions. Magic Body Control is actually based on coilspring suspension with a hydraulic component that can almost instantaneously adjust spring rate. It keeps the car level in almost all situations. Quite impressive.
In terms of ride quality vs a GLC, I live in AZ as well. I understand ride quality can be subjective to a certain degree but I'm shocked to hear you think it rides better than an S-Class.
In terms of ride quality vs a GLC, I live in AZ as well. I understand ride quality can be subjective to a certain degree but I'm shocked to hear you think it rides better than an S-Class.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,222
Likes: 6,278
So... I drove a RFT 18 wheels 4MATIC GLC 300 of last generation... never was a fan of SUVs but the car changed my opinion, the ride is pretty comfortable (more so than the various C 300 loaners I had but not by much). I guess since everyone has SUVs, sometimes sitting higher (or really the same height as them) helps...
