E-Active Body Control
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Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 58
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C300
E-Active Body Control
I am looking to pull the trigger and order myself a 2020 GLE450. Can anyone go more into detail about why I want this option? I have heard that it can be programmed to raise and lower when turning on and off the car. Is this true? Also Why would I want or not want this option. I am looking to put in my order later this week and will keep you posted on the timeline given.
Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 151
Likes: 41
From: Paris
2020 GLE 300d
If you have a large budget you can order the E-ABC. The suspension are incredible and there is a nice curve mode. So that's great.
But, if you have to make a choice because of your budget I would definitely not recommend to order it. I would advise either to keep the steel springs or to order the Airmatic suspension. And with the money you would save, you should order as much option as you can!
I fear that when there will be an E-ABC this will cost a lot of money and immobilise the vehicle for a certain time.
This is my opinion and I would not pretend to hold the truth. Let's see what others have to say...
But, if you have to make a choice because of your budget I would definitely not recommend to order it. I would advise either to keep the steel springs or to order the Airmatic suspension. And with the money you would save, you should order as much option as you can!
I fear that when there will be an E-ABC this will cost a lot of money and immobilise the vehicle for a certain time.
This is my opinion and I would not pretend to hold the truth. Let's see what others have to say...
Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 189
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2018 GLS 450, 2018 GLE 4matic
We have airmatic on my 2018 gle and my husband's 2018 gls. We have two 450's on order, both with Airmatic. My husband test drove a 450 when they briefly had one on the lot that had the steel suspension. He was shocked at how much less comfortable it was in comparison. We didn't consider the ABC because of the cost (times 2, for us), and because we like the ride in our current cars so much.
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Joined: May 2018
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From: Boise
2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
Airmatic will raise and lower the car when you turn off the car. E-ABC orders are being held up, only one custom order has been built with it in the US. You might check the thread on production delays.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
E-Active Body Control
I am looking to pull the trigger and order myself a 2020 GLE450. Can anyone go more into detail about why I want this option? I have heard that it can be programmed to raise and lower when turning on and off the car. Is this true? Also Why would I want or not want this option. I am looking to put in my order later this week and will keep you posted on the timeline given.
- CURVE mode is kinda cool. It doesn't take long to get used to and feels natural to be driving like a motorcycle after a while. It is adjustable to 3 levels of lean, but only works in conjunction with COMFORT mode.
- CURVE and COMFORT mode include Road Surface Scan, which pre-adjusts the suspension for road irregularities. I can't really compare how much affect it has, but I have seen one comparison video which shows marked improvement in body movements. Both of these drive modes have a quite plush ride.
- You get a SPORT+ setting with ABC. This has a quite firm but not punishing suspension tuning.
- There are four height settings with ABC, -2, -1, 0 &+1, corresponding to Sport+, Sport, Comfort/Curve & Off-road settings. Yes, you can set the car to lower to the -2 setting when exiting & entering. Height changes are not instantaneous, but much quicker than they were with the old Airmatic system.
- For amusing people at stoplights (or getting unstuck from some situations) there is FREE DRIVING mode, which hops the car up and down (in the old days you would have your passengers or bystanders jump on your rear bumper). There is also Individual Wheel Control where you can manually raise and lower each wheel independently.
- You get extra underbody protection (skid plates) with ABC.
- Downsides? It is expensive; It is a complex system (get extended warranty if keeping more than 4 years); And at this point in time it may extend the ordering time.
It depends on your priorities and budget. I don't think you would be disappointed in the system.
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; May 13, 2019 at 12:16 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 21
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From: Saskatchewan Canada
ML 350
E - ABC Operational limitations?
A SA at a MB dealership and I were discussing the merits of the e -ABC vs the Airmatic (we now have) and the price of the option. He made the comment that the E-ABC only works in the daylight as the stereo cameras don’t work with just the headlights.
Does anyone know if this is true? I can’t imagine MB offering an option that only worked in the daylight!!
Does anyone know if this is true? I can’t imagine MB offering an option that only worked in the daylight!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
Likes: 1,264
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
A SA at a MB dealership and I were discussing the merits of the e -ABC vs the Airmatic (we now have) and the price of the option. He made the comment that the E-ABC only works in the daylight as the stereo cameras don’t work with just the headlights.
Does anyone know if this is true? I can’t imagine MB offering an option that only worked in the daylight!!
Does anyone know if this is true? I can’t imagine MB offering an option that only worked in the daylight!!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
Likes: 1,264
From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
