MBS430

Hi fellow forum member,

The sales guy from my local dealer told me that this 2008 S550 has ABC but then I saw the little hose on the top of the front struts.
That indicates airmatic suspension; not ABC, is that correct?

Can you guys/gals please help me confirming it?

Thank you very much in advance.

here are the pic of the engine bay:

benz_addict

You are right, no ABC.
That sales guy needs a new job

LaicepsYdobon

Yes; that hose is for the airmatic but I belive your car still has ABC. Almost all Benzs have ABC as standard.

IDriveAnM5

I think that might be a mis-statement, or the poster is referring to some other acronym. ABC stands for Active Body Control, is offered as a cost-additive option on the S550. For those of us who have 4Matic, it's not even an option.
Maybe you mean to say ABS, or Anti-lock Brake System?

LaicepsYdobon

I was thinking about ABC and I could swear that it came standard on almost all MB models. I was wrong; damn Monday mornings

IDriveAnM5

LOL, yeah that's typical for a Monday morning!
For the 2011 S550 RWD sedan, M-B wants $4,090 for ABC with cross-wind stabilization!!!

Quadcammer

wtf, only the cl,sl, and S even offer ABC.

You absolutely have to be think about something else like BAS or you may want to do some more reading.

skrontz

And it's worth every penny! ;-)

MBS430

benz_addict,
thank you much for the info!

LaicepsYdobon

I looked it up; it's standard on all CL and SL cars and available on some S class models. Not sure why they package this as on option on the S since it is available on the CL which is like an S Coupe. For the longest time I was under the impression that ABC was standard on all (or almost all) MB models. I guess you learn something new every day...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Active_Body_Control


Also a 2nd generation of ABC is coming out and it's going to be called, hope you are sitting down for this, Mercedes-Benz Magic Body Control. I know what you are thinking and I thought the same thing

http://www.benzinsider.com/tag/active-body-control/

skrontz

No, it is not. CL550 is 4matic which cannot have ABC.

LaicepsYdobon

OK, all CL models except for that one. Nice catch.

Since we are talking about ABC. Who has it on their car ? Is it worth it ?

skrontz

Yes, absolutely worth it. Would not own an S Class without it.

Quadcammer

Disagree, driven both, don't see the appeal. Ride quality is very similar, and neither car handles particularly well. ABC is about 3x the expense to repair however.

skrontz

W221 or W220? Even my passengers notice the virtual absence of body roll with ABC vs Airmatic. I don't really care how much it costs MB to repair my car.

benzman57

Easy, open the hood, look where the head of the struts, if has a air pipe getting in it, your car is not equipped with ABC, if has no pipe but a black plug, you have ABC, all CL and SL has, S was optional only on non 4MATIC, was not available on 4MATIC, in repair better if you don’t have it.