E-ABC real world useful?
02-09-2024, 08:35 AM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
E-ABC real world useful?
Hi there, I’m new here. My wife and I are shopping for used (CPO) trucks, mainly 2020 GLS 450’s. A very few have E-active Body Control and I’m wondering how useful it is in the real world, that is to say, other than for bouncing the bus on YouTube.
I have been testing out a new one without it this week (I’m a journalist, so I get to test drive a lot of fun things) and I’ve noticed a decent amount of body roll. Does E-ABC work to stabilize this behemoth in the corners, or is it really just for hopping out of sand and mud and smoothing out the bumps?
Thanks, Matt
I have been testing out a new one without it this week (I’m a journalist, so I get to test drive a lot of fun things) and I’ve noticed a decent amount of body roll. Does E-ABC work to stabilize this behemoth in the corners, or is it really just for hopping out of sand and mud and smoothing out the bumps?
Thanks, Matt
Last edited by Mattmiller1973; 02-09-2024 at 08:44 AM.
02-09-2024, 08:43 AM
#2
Senior Member
Definitely drive one with it. I didn't do a back to back but we also searched out an E-ABC equipped '21 and while it isn't a sports car, it corners much smaller than it is IMO. If you want to feel it do its thing, turn on curve mode and set it to level 3. You will be able to feel it lean into the turns. It also does a great job arresting the body movements before/after bridges and other uneven road surfaces. It won't make bumps and dips disappear, but will minimize the movement. It can also minimize speed bump bounce.
Last edited by jkaetz; 02-09-2024 at 08:48 AM.
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02-09-2024, 08:57 AM
#3
My advice is to stay away from E-ABC. If the techs don't know how to fix it, who the hell does?
For what it's worth, I had a 2020 GLS 450 with E-ABC. At first I thought the handling, especially in "Curve" was amazing. After around 20,000 miles, I started to notice that it was getting increasingly jittery over small bumps or potholes. After multiple service visits at two dealers over the course of several months, it was better but in my opinion still not right. The E-ABC suspension seems to be difficult to diagnose and complicated to adjust. The advisor and technicians have nothing to compare to since so few GLS's are made with E-ABC. I decided to trade for an ordered 2024. In my opinion, the new one rides substantially better than my old GLS. Oddly enough, my wife says she doesn't get car sick riding in the new one but she did at times in the old one. It still has the air suspension along with the ability to raise and lower, but I don't have the "dance moves", which was just for show anyway. I wouldn't get a GLS with E-ABC if the option were free, let alone for $6000. I may have just had bad luck, but I consider it to be an untested technology.
Alright, new deal confirmed. We ended up with Airmatic + Off-road Package + Underguard instead of E-ABC, after discussing extensively with a certified MB mechanic. He echoed some of your sentiments, that it’s amazing when it works, but for a long term keeper definitely go Airmatic. Apparently it’s true that some mechanics haven’t a clue how to fix it (despite being certified). He said this could lead to extended repair/loaner time and unfamiliar mechanics working on it. I know this all to well from my coworker and his EQS which has been in the shop 10+ times since taking delivery.
I was originally unhappy about the Emerald Green change, but I think this is going to look slick with the Moonlight White and nappa leather throughout. Excited!
I was originally unhappy about the Emerald Green change, but I think this is going to look slick with the Moonlight White and nappa leather throughout. Excited!
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02-09-2024, 09:29 AM
#4
Senior Member
IMO E-ABC is still an unknown for long term reliability. My understanding is that it takes the older ABC with a single engine driven pump and a bunch of lines/valves replacing it with an electric pump for each wheel. It's probably sound mechanically as the removal of all the lines and valves have simplified it. The wildcard is of course the software and how well it communicates problems to the technicians.
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Mattmiller1973 (02-09-2024)
02-09-2024, 10:10 AM
#5
Senior Member
I'll echo comments above. My 2020 GLS has E-ABC and it works great in Curve mode, encountering dips in the road, or speed humps. However, can't really feel any benefit on rough roads or encountering potholes. It happened to be on the CPO I purchased in November 2022, but if I were ordering a new vehicle I would not include E-ABC.
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Mattmiller1973 (02-09-2024)
02-10-2024, 12:34 AM
#6
The handling and body roll elimination is much better with E-ABC; airmatic cannot mechanically keep up, just nature of the beast.
Here's one in NJ:
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/0...-fdbb259ab0d1/
Here's one in NJ:
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/0...-fdbb259ab0d1/
Last edited by wildta; 02-10-2024 at 12:42 AM.
02-10-2024, 03:27 AM
#7
Super Member
Its ability to smooth out speed bumps in my Maybach is simply sublime. Going over the same bump in my AMG is like a bucking bronco in comparison. And bouncing mode sure is fun for my guests when cruising down Rodeo Drive.
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02-10-2024, 08:08 AM
#8
Senior Member
02-10-2024, 11:33 AM
#9
Junior Member
Thread Starter
I was wondering the same thing, it doesn’t seem to have that option, as far as I can tell.
Plus it’s been in an accident, and I don’t trust used car dealers in NJ, NY or IL.
Plus it’s been in an accident, and I don’t trust used car dealers in NJ, NY or IL.
02-10-2024, 03:49 PM
#10
Edit: Sorry I must have been confused with a different car, probably a 580 which are more likely to come with E-ABC. Maybe you should consider the 580. You'll get terrible city MPGs but when the road is open, it's amazing.
Last edited by wildta; 02-12-2024 at 02:11 AM.
02-11-2024, 11:21 PM
#11
IMO E-ABC is still an unknown for long term reliability. My understanding is that it takes the older ABC with a single engine driven pump and a bunch of lines/valves replacing it with an electric pump for each wheel. It's probably sound mechanically as the removal of all the lines and valves have simplified it. The wildcard is of course the software and how well it communicates problems to the technicians.
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EWL5 (02-12-2024)
02-12-2024, 08:15 AM
#12
@Mattmiller1973, at the end of the day, you do you!
I would just hate to see this turn into an "I told you so" thread down the road!
I would just hate to see this turn into an "I told you so" thread down the road!
02-12-2024, 09:32 AM
#13
Senior Member
@Mattmiller1973, at the end of the day, you do you!
I would just hate to see this turn into an "I told you so" thread down the road!
I would just hate to see this turn into an "I told you so" thread down the road!
I think all of us who own a vehicle with E-ABC have questions about longevity and repair costs. To be honest I'd have similar concerns about any new vehicle that was comparable to the V/X167 and even some that weren't as comparable. Unfortunately I don't know anyone with a working crystal ball so I will have to wait and see just how bad things are. If they get bad enough there are always other vehicles and since we bought used someone else took the massive depreciation hit.
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02-14-2024, 02:43 PM
#14
Junior Member
IMO E-ABC is still an unknown for long term reliability. My understanding is that it takes the older ABC with a single engine driven pump and a bunch of lines/valves replacing it with an electric pump for each wheel. It's probably sound mechanically as the removal of all the lines and valves have simplified it. The wildcard is of course the software and how well it communicates problems to the technicians.
02-15-2024, 03:04 PM
#15
Senior Member
E-ABC uses four 48v hydraulic pumps, one for each strut/wheel.
02-15-2024, 03:16 PM
#16
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'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former- 10&14 ML BlueTecs, 20 GLE450 E-ABC, 15 Cayenne D, 17 Macan
02-16-2024, 07:40 AM
#17
MBWorld Fanatic!
If you need this type of system to enjoy the car, then I think this isn’t the right car for you in general. Not trying to be a jerk, but it shouldn’t take something this expensive and complicated to produce a ride character that you’re going to enjoy and be happy with. In my opinion it’s in the gimmick bucket of options and adds another layer of risk for annoying issues to fix later on.
02-16-2024, 07:57 AM
#18
Senior Member
If you need this type of system to enjoy the car, then I think this isn’t the right car for you in general. Not trying to be a jerk, but it shouldn’t take something this expensive and complicated to produce a ride character that you’re going to enjoy and be happy with. In my opinion it’s in the gimmick bucket of options and adds another layer of risk for annoying issues to fix later on.
02-16-2024, 05:01 PM
#19
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'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former- 10&14 ML BlueTecs, 20 GLE450 E-ABC, 15 Cayenne D, 17 Macan
If you need this type of system to enjoy the car, then I think this isn’t the right car for you in general. Not trying to be a jerk, but it shouldn’t take something this expensive and complicated to produce a ride character that you’re going to enjoy and be happy with. In my opinion it’s in the gimmick bucket of options and adds another layer of risk for annoying issues to fix later on.
He was okay with the optional heater though.
