S-Class (W220) 1999-2006: S 320 CDI, S 320, S430, S 500, S 600

How 2 tell if W220 is ABC

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Old Oct 4, 2015 | 08:35 PM
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From: florida
2005 Mercedes Benz S500 4Matic
How 2 tell if W220 is ABC

Hey guys I have a 05 W220 4matic on 20 inch staggered wheels and I am looking for lowering links however I need to know if my car has ABC (Active Body Control) or not. I have NO IDEA how to tell and there are no posts adressing how to tell if your W220 has ABC or not. Thanx


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Old Oct 4, 2015 | 10:12 PM
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2009 E350 4M Avantgarde;mistress 2002 S600; wife 2014 C300 4M
read the FFF manual, the control buttons will tell you~
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Old Oct 4, 2015 | 10:22 PM
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You don't have abc if you have 4 Matic
All 4mAtic cars use airmatic air suspension , not abc hydraulic suspension
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Old Oct 4, 2015 | 10:43 PM
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From: florida
2005 Mercedes Benz S500 4Matic
Originally Posted by tusabes
You don't have abc if you have 4 Matic
All 4mAtic cars use airmatic air suspension , not abc hydraulic suspension
Ok thank you!! Which means I dont have stock rear adjustable links and I need to buy all 4 correct?
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Old Oct 5, 2015 | 05:31 PM
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S-series 2003 S500 4matic
BTW, if you have 4matic you should not be using stagger wheel configuration, for the AWD to properly work requires all the rims/ tires be exactly the same.
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Old Oct 5, 2015 | 05:43 PM
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From: florida
2005 Mercedes Benz S500 4Matic
Originally Posted by MikeKerr7
BTW, if you have 4matic you should not be using stagger wheel configuration, for the AWD to properly work requires all the rims/ tires be exactly the same.
Really?? Im running a 20x8.5 with a 245/35 in the front and 20x10 with 275/30 on the back with an 1/8 spacer. Whats the worst that can happen to my 4Matic system?? The wheels are the same diameter as the stock wheels. What kind of issue can it cause?
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Old Oct 5, 2015 | 06:26 PM
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That should be fine. Its the diameter that you need to get right.


Nick
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Old Oct 5, 2015 | 09:54 PM
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Mercedes SL63 AMG; Mercedes E63 AMG S 4matic; Mercedes C43 AMG; Mercedes S Class, Mercedes GLK
I had researched this at one point because of odd tread wear I was experiencing with my 4matic system. Unfortunately I can't find the information I read at the time, but if I recall properly it was stated staggered wheels could damage the system (differential and transfer case) and it referenced both diameter and width. I do know newer 4matics can use staggered, but I thought it was because of changes made to the system over time. Sorry, may not be useful as I can't find the original source I had referenced at the time, but a bit of "for what it's worth". Staggered wheels were not an option on the 4matic at that time.

James
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Old Oct 5, 2015 | 11:53 PM
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4 Matic cars must have the same diameter tires otherwise you will damage the 4 wheel drive system . You can run different widths but diameter must be the same or very very close
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Old Oct 6, 2015 | 01:34 AM
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From: florida
2005 Mercedes Benz S500 4Matic
Originally Posted by tusabes
4 Matic cars must have the same diameter tires otherwise you will damage the 4 wheel drive system . You can run different widths but diameter must be the same or very very close
Yeah my diameter is the same as my stock wheels. No issues there I did my research haha. Anyways thanx for all the help. I will be getting lowering links soon and will post pics up!
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Old Oct 6, 2015 | 08:11 AM
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Originally Posted by tusabes
4 Matic cars must have the same diameter tires otherwise you will damage the 4 wheel drive system . You can run different widths but diameter must be the same or very very close
Curious as to why you say that?

The center diff is open, aka NO posi, so it would just spin a little faster to one set of axles.

I ran differnet diamters on my Audi for a short period of time with no ill effects, aka center diff on Quattros is open as well. You can purchase a posi as an option is Audis.

Just sayin
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