So...., let's continue my understanding of this purple smoke of 'magic', 1-if I don't have MBC on my 222, what kind of suspension do I have? Is it just shocks and springs or, is it air suspension? 2-with no air suspension, how does car lower itself at speed and, level itself with a loaded trunk? Hmmmm? Maybe it is purple smoke at work.

 

The regular suspension is Airmatic which is an air suspension. ABC is a high pressure hydraulic system. Way more complicated and needs more service. Hopefully others with more knowledge will fill in the details. Dave

 

All S-Klasses have air suspension. ABC does not affect road riding comfort; it is an active system designed to control chassis roll and pitch. In other words, keeping the body flat in turns, in braking, and in high wind conditions.

 

Thanks for informative responses. Now, I know. Appreciate it.

 

Watch out MB....

 

Watch out for what? The 1990's?

 

Your response was really useful! I thought my MBC was not functioning properly. haha

 

I had a 2013 S550 with ABC. (MBC not yet available)
I had a 2015 S550 with MBC.
I had a 2018 S560 with MBC.
I just took delivery of a 2020 S560 with MBC.

These elaborate suspension systems really set MB apart from their competitors and IMO are worth every penny. Regarding speed bumps, the MBC in my 2015 worked about half the time over bumps. The MBC in the 2018 was significantly better and you did not have to have you foot on the accelerator pedal for it to work. I’m still learning about the 2020, but it seems even better yet, so far. To spend over $100K on a W222 and to not order MBC, seems like a travesty to me. It’s like going to a top steak house, getting the $125.00 porterhouse and then ordering a bottle of Two Buck Chuck wine. AirMatic is a fine system, but there is no comparison to MBC. It really is like comparing apples to oranges. Unfortunately, with a $4K+ option price and little knowledge of the option by the vast majority of S Class customers, you rarely find MBC cars in dealer inventories, you need to special order them.

 

It used to be that you could not get MBC on all-wheel drive models (if I recall) so that could explain the lack of it as well. At least that was how it was in model year 2014 but I am not sure with the later years. I still have my 2014, it looks like the day I picked it up and going strong.

 

Amen to that...

 

It wasn't available on my 4Matic S560.
I agree with you on the excellence of optional suspension systems on Mercedes Benz vehicles.
I had to special order the Dynamic Curve system on my 2014 GL 350 Bluetec. (basically active roll stabilization)
It transformed the GL and actually gave it a softer ride in a straight line while preventing wallowing in the corners.
Magic on a huge heavy SUV!
Expensive too, 4K IIRC

 

Just from looking at an S Class, how do you tell if it has MBC? Is there an MBC button? or a different looking camera in the front windshield?

 

The first thing is if it is a 4matic it doesn't have MBC

 

on 2014-2017 models there was a button labelled ABC by the comand dial. On 2018+ models it isn’t there. Easiest way to find out about the options is to run the VIN here: https://www.lastvin.com

 

No, a W222 ABC car does not have any air parts at all. In a ABC car, the hydraulics are an addition on the normal springs/shocks.
Om E-ABC however, the ABC part is build as an addition to air suspension.

br,
syljua

 

OK then where is it?

 

Very late to this thread.. I was wondering what Mercedes have Om E-ABC suspensions?

 

I believe that only the GLS SUV & Maybach SUV currently have E-ABC and it is supposed to be available on the new W223 S Class, but I do not believe they are taking orders for it yet.

 

Just to answer a question above about how to tell if the car has MBC. Like was said 2014-2017's will have a ABC button on the left side of the center console and the 2018 plus will have a "Curve setting" when you push the center console dynamic select button. As was said it is a great option although now what a lot of people think it is, I've heard some complain that they don't think it's working because they can still feel bumps in the road. The main purpose of it is to smooth out the body gyrations from going over dips in the road and also to flatten out the car in corners. The main thing you want for a smooth ride of road imperfections is non run flat tires, I'm still on the run flats but trying to use them up ASAP so I can graduate to non run flat tires and then I will get a much better ride. My car was a rarity finding a used 2018 S560 last fall which was loaded with practically every option available.

 

I think MBC is an amazing feature of the car. The only complaint I have is that I did have to have the pump replaced at about 60000 miles on my car. The system was working but the pump was making noises like the shaft bearings were worn out. I would guess it was simply a fluke as to why my pump failed.

Top features of the car as I have on my Maybach.

3D sound system
MBC
distronic
air seat system

There are some other really neat features such as the split view center screen and the heated armrests and night vision but I could do without that stuff.

Katie

 

Did the sound come from a specific region in the car? My W222 makes a strange noise coming from the rear left area. (It whines almost like a supercharger.) It sounds like it's tied to rpm but you cannot hear it outside the car. Any idea as to what this could be? I originally thought it was the exhaust rattling with the heat shielding but there isn't a sound outside & the exhaust doesn't touch the heat shielding anywhere.

 

In reference to my MBC pump bearings wearing out. I originally thought it was the transmission since it sounded like it was coming from that region of the car. The dealer determined it was the MBC pump. So apparently in my case the sound was not able to be found in the location where it was actually coming from and of course at idle it did not make any noise.

What was the sound like? Well it would come and go at no specific intervals and would sound like something was grinding (sound thats made when I sharpen my mower blade on the grinder).

Over time the sound became increasingly more often and thats when I decided to address the problem. There was NO warnings on the dashboard or indications of anything not working, just the grinding sound.

PS Sean the sound you describe could be a worn wheel bearing on the front. I also had to change one of those myself around 60000 miles. You can rule these out by driving down the road about say 35MPH or whatever speed and when you hear the noise gently rotate steering wheel left and right quickly. If sound goes away you have found out your problem. Turning left and sound goes away for a sec is a worn left bearing, turning right and sound goes away is right bearing worn out.

I found an aftermarket hub for 130 dollars vs 800 something from Benz. IT has been working perfectly.

 

Thank you for your insight. It's always helpful.
As for what it sounds like; it sounds like an actuator in motion. It also appears to come and go at no specific intervals.. What really threw me off was the fact that as RPM's increase, the sound intensifies too. Speed can decrease or increase & it would not make a difference. I don't understand the relationship between RPMs & sound intensity. Furthermore, at under 40,000 miles I find it odd this is occurring... As for the worn wheel bearing, I'll follow the diagnosis steps you provided.
Again, Thank you!

Update: It wasn't a worn wheel bearing; will be investigating further.

 

Also check your idler pulleys for the belt drive on your engine.