irieblue

Is there a difference between the ABC on the S63 vs a S550 that has the AMG ABC/Suspension package? I'm trying to understand what the S63 brings (in terms of handling) over the S550 with AMG suspension package. Obviously Bigger Brakes, but did AMG tweak the ABC on the S63 as well?

whoover

Yes, the ABC on the S63 and S65 is "AMG-calibrated." They don't publish a lot of specifics, but they do reduce the lean and stiffen the suspension somewhat. They also tune the ABC to match the modified steering and suspension geometry.

srice

Drive them back-to-back, and you will really be able to feel the difference. The S63 handles MUCH better than an S550 w/ ABC & AMG Sport Package.

WSH

Well said...

Had a CL550 and now have CL63....differences in chassis precision are rather signif...

Always prefer car to have a chassis (steering/brakes/suspension/stability controls, etc) that is well-matched (preferably over-matched) vs hp/tq....not very difficult to engineer more hp/tq...more difficult/challenging is to calibrate a chassis for varying driver preferences/pavement/weather/smoothness vs precision/safety, etc.....IMO, AMG did a marvelous job w/latest S/CL63/65 chassis (and motors)...

Z356

Irieblue: Re: your question "Is there a difference between the ABC on the S63 vs a S550 that has the AMG ABC/Suspension package?". Just to clarify a point, you do understand that there is no such thing as a S550 with an AMG "ABC/Suspension" package. The S550 has only the option of an "AMG Sport Package". The latter, according to MB, gives you only "AMG bodystyling and polished chrome exhaust tips and 19" AMG 5-spoke light-alloy wheels". So it's mostly 'looks'. However, the 'pretty' AMG alloy wheels come with very good 19" sport 'performance' tires with 40 aspect ratio. This is a great improvement from the standard 550's 18" wheels which have narrower 'all season" rubber which has a 45 aspect ratio! Remember that the S63 comes (in USA) with 20" rubber with 35 aspect ratios and even wider than the 19", which will add a 'sharper' performance characteristic to ANY vehicle using them (especially those with high HP). With all due respect to my friends with S63s and CL63s, I wonder what percentage of the handling characteristics of their AMGs is in fact provided by the magnificent 20" ZR rated, wider and 35 aspect ratio rubber? Z356

MBZFAN55

The ABC settings on the CL63 (and I assume the same on the S63) are C-Comfort, S-Sport and M-Manual. The transmission becomes more aggressive and the suspension firms up as as you progress through C/S & M. The CL550 has only C and S, but the S setting is more comparable to the C setting on on the CL63. AMG vehicles are calibrated differently.

Also, ABC is an available option on the S550, but not the S550-4matic.

WSH

Excellent point, Z356

Suspect many subtle hardware and software variants interact to determine subjective (and objectively measured) chassis precision/traction/stability...incl tires, wheels (IIRC, 030 wheels are each some ?4lbs lighter than normal 63 wheels), ABC/ESP calibration, steering calibration, etc....but IMO a major element of chassis stability/confidence is brake pedal feel/stopping distances, in wet vs dry and smooth vs bumpy pavement....

As we all know, MB/AMG spends extraordinary amts of time/money/R&D resources to calibrate all the elements of these cars vs varying dynamic/road conditions....that's why I'm always amused when someone thinks they can go to some one-off aftermkt shop to just slap more hp or allegedly better tires on any car to make it go faster/drive more precisely for supposedly less money than the factory (w/all its advantages of scale) would charge....I doubt the engineering compromises/trade-offs needed for truly refined perf/safety/comfort/daily-useability are particularly simple...or cheap....

irieblue

As my blurb says. I have a MY07 S550. Mine has ABC, riding on 19" Wheels. It looks like I'll have to go test drive an S63 for a direct comparison as right now there are just data points surrounding the S550/S63 and no real world reviews.