Hey folks! I'm a big MB enthusiast (I drive an SLK55, my mum an A180 CDI and my bro a C230K) and I would like your views on Active Body Control (ABC) as an option on the M-Class. My Bro is looking to part exchange his C230K for an ML320 CDI. With my work (on an airfield) I have to drive a Mitsubishi Shogun and have found that at speed you have to drive with caution when making manouevres (left/right). I have passed this on to my brother and suggested the ABC as a sensible option. Any comments or experiences of ABC?

Regards


Marky-Mark

 

Are you asking about the air suspension?? A true ABC option I do not believe is available on the W164, at least it was not in 06. I also do not believe its necessary as the ML handles extremely well with the Airmatic.

 

My apologies, I meant AirMATIC (semi-active air suspension)!

This is available as an option for a UK ML320 CDI. Comments? Has anybody driven an M-Class with and without this fitted?

Regards


Marky-Mark

 

Mine has Airmatic and I feel its well worth the cost. Better ride and handling plus the ability to change the ride to suit your preferences and to raise the car if desired. I have driven an ML without Airmatic and find it satisfactory with very adequate handling. The only way to actually make this decision is to try both yourself.

 

Hi M-M,

I have ML with airmatic but you certainly feel all the bumps with 19" wheels. Unfortunately the bigger wheel option negates a lot of the smoothness on anything less than M-ways.

However I also think the ML would look odd with standard (17") wheels.

Overall I'm pretty happy with airmatic for handling, rather than ride, capabilities.

Cheers,

 

When I bought my 06 ML350, I test drove the ML500 and 350 with and without the feature. The 350 with the freature seamed a bit lack luster in the performance, I was told the option adds 1500 lbs to the weight of the ML. Which then drops the MPG!

I ended up buying the ML350 without the Airmatic suspension.

BTW: just got back from a 2000 road trip where my average MPG was 23!

 

Don't know who told you it adds 1500 lbs to the vehicle but they are way of. Its more like maybe a hundred pounds if that. Looks like to me you were more concerned about the cost than the benefits.If so you did the right thing.

 

I am ordering mine with Airmatic -- wouldn't have one without it....

 

Gonna let me drive it?

 

If you are trying to get your ML to drive like a sportscar (a dubious goal?) and want 19"+ wheels for looks, then it is probably worth it to have airmatic. If your ML is to replace your minivan, then 17" wheels will be fine and it will have longer lasting tires and brakes. Because our ML is to be my wife's SUV, and I was concerned about airmatic problems (search MB forums and not just MLs), I chose to not have airmatic. I would guess that the extra 1" of air in a 17" tire makes the ML a little more comfortable than the lower profile 19" wheels that most of the airmatic users seem to have since they want a more sports oriented ML.

 

You, my friend, would be one of the VERY few people whom I would let drive one of my cars. And the ML63? Definately.

I think that it is going to be a blast.