Haha, most salesman don't even know what the hell MBC is!

 

How do we know we have a detuned US version of MBC? I havent read this anywhere. I would need proof and sources to believe this claim. I think the more likely scenario is that it sucks in Europe too and is just a version 1.0 product that will get better with time.

 

Here you go sport...
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...driving-page-3

 

wow, that is just a brutal misreading of the text.

The difference between europe and the US is not the car or the MBC system, but rather the type of speed bumps on our roads (europe=longer but lower).

the system appears to deal much better with the european type than the us type of speedbump.

 

How do you read this text?

"Also, peaked American-style speed bumps are purposely NOT addressed because softening the impact of those would allow scofflaws to zoom right over them, thereby fraying the social fabric. And Mercedes will have no part in that."

 

The car already rides incredible with airmatic and most reviews have said this, and haven't mentioned abc, as most don't have the option.

 

yes. If they put American style speed bumps in europe, the car would have the same problems.

There is not a single word in that text that says that the european and american system are different.

 

It states that Mercedes PURPOSELY did not address American style speed bumps on MBC because of the fear that S-class owners would not slow down on streets with speed bumps. Maybe they think Americans would be killing children playing on residential streets or something, I don't know... My point is that MBC CAN be set to work on American style high speed bumps just as well as lower Euro style speed bumps, but Mercedes opted NOT to do so... Can you understand this?

 

There could be a 3rd interpretation, it is a little ambiguous

Globally, MBC is the same system, but it is engineered to not compensate for the US style speed bumps, which only becomes an issue in the US ... so even in Europe if someone came across a US styled bump, the MBC wouldn't compensate there either

I do think, however, it would be a better design to have 2 different specs for MBC - US and ROW - than purposefully exclude US styled bumps from a single, global system

 

Yes I agree, I have not idea about MBC's effectiveness outside the US. I'm only writing as to MBC in America.

 

yes this is what I've concluded, although I would love to be able to test an Airmatic vs MBC car side by side to see which one felt smoother to me. (with the same wheel sizes too). I have a feeling there wouldn't be much difference in smoothness; it's more of a handling improvement for MBC.

 

Yes, this has been my conclusion as well

I'm surprised however that so few cars in the US come with MBC. Dealers have told me very few cars come with MBC and the ones that have it are mostly ordered by customers. However I don't think it's widely known that MBC comes with the ABC suspension, which I think is the real value of it.

 

Last August I purchased a 2014 S550 with magic body control (MBC) and the ride was amazingly smooth. Unfortunately, after recently having a windshield replaced and repair work performed which included straightening 20 inch wheels and two run flat tire replacements, the ride is now rough and my efforts to get back the magic body control ride smoothness has been a nightmare. I have made four trips to three different dealerships to get the issue resolved to no avail. The repair efforts have included camera recalibration and check by a Mercedes service representative and I have been told the MBC has no issues; however, the ride is now rough and no longer goes over speed bumps smoothly. A part of the reason for the nightmare and quandary is one, that repair shops are not familiar with the MBC characteristics and ride; and two, none of the dealerships had another S550 with MBC to illustrate and demonstrate the difference between the true characteristics of a MBC ride compared to ride of my car. Sad and frustrated!

 

I would write a detailed letter and mail it to MB Corporate customer complaints/service

 

My S65 has MBC , it works fine. It makes the speed bumps almost disappear. The older S65 I had used ABC, which provided a great ride, the new W222 S65 with MBC is noticeably better.

 

Silly question but are you sure that you are having the suspension setting set on Comfort?
If set on sport, MBC is not activated...

 

Let's see: 1-doesn't work with American roads but does in Europe. 2-doesn't work in sport mode. 3-doesn't work if you brake or slow down. I'll be sure to spend $4500 on that option. After reading all these limitations, does one have to pat their head and simultaneously rub your stomach to get this thing to give a 'better' ride. Good grief! No thanks.

 

??
I agree it's too limiting to get the benefits, but the actual MBC function is really only $400 or so for the camera/software option on top of the $4k ABC suspension (which is worth every penny).

For that, it's a dirt cheap option and probably a whole lot more useful than some other ones, such a night vision, fridge, comfort box etc.

The frustration comes when the dealer pitches options that they have no understanding of and then over promise what it does.

 

Question for those with MBC. If it takes out the body roll, improves both the ride and handling, what is the purpose of the sport setting? Just to turn off the MBC function? Do those of you with it ever use or prefer the sport setting? Is the sport setting stiffer than the regular airmatic setting? I've got the airmatic and prefer the sport which is still a little soft for me. Dave

 

Wait a minute, I need some help with this ABC. I just scoured the MB home page specing out an S550. NOWERE is there mention of ABC as option. Or, at least I don't see it listed. I do see MBC for $4500. So, what's everybody talking about having ABC and, only paying $500 more for MBC?

 

Oh, don't forget, doesn't work at night or in the rain...
My issue with the American speed bumps is that MBC does work sometimes, maybe 3 or 4 times in 10. The problem is you don't know which times it will work, and if it doesn't, your head is banging off the headliner...

 

Mercedes only offers MBC for the W222, but MBC = ABC with a camera & software add-on.
ABC was a $4K or so option for the W221 and MBC is a $4.5k option for the W222.
Point is that ABC was never a free option for the S-Class and it's the suspension itself that you are paying 90% of the money for...

 

I don't get all this whining about the occasional handling of speed bumps.
Airmatic is complete crap compared to the active suspension. Too bad its not available for 4matics.

 

ABC comes with the MBC option, in the previous gen before MBC, ABC option was $4K. ABC is what keeps your body from leaning in the turns, it keeps the car flatter in corners. MBC in the US is a complete gimmick, but really is only $500 of the total option cost, so I don't feel that ripped off that I got it...

 

Is it possible that contamannets got into the system or a control valve has gone haywire? The ABC needs absolutely clean fluids to operate at the extreme pressures it creates. Dave