magic body control
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 512
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2023 S Class 2013 SL
magic body control
Need clarification. What exactly is it besides 'magic' b.s. moniker? And, what's it purpose?
1- greater control during very aggressive driving?
2- or, a measurably improved ride comfort during normal driving?
Salespeople don't know and for what I can read, it's shrouded in hype. Hence, I asking the forum.
1- greater control during very aggressive driving?
2- or, a measurably improved ride comfort during normal driving?
Salespeople don't know and for what I can read, it's shrouded in hype. Hence, I asking the forum.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 485
Likes: 74
From: Marina Del Rey, CA
2015 MBZ S 550
Need clarification. What exactly is it besides 'magic' b.s. moniker? And, what's it purpose?
1- greater control during very aggressive driving?
2- or, a measurably improved ride comfort during normal driving?
Salespeople don't know and for what I can read, it's shrouded in hype. Hence, I asking the forum.
1- greater control during very aggressive driving?
2- or, a measurably improved ride comfort during normal driving?
Salespeople don't know and for what I can read, it's shrouded in hype. Hence, I asking the forum.
What I can say that I'm 100% sure is that it does smooth over speed bumps about 75% of the time. When it works, it truly is " magic ".
Yes, my car is very smooth, quiet and handles exceptionally well for a 2.5 ton vehicle of its size. Is this a function of MBC, I have no idea as I have nothing to compare it to.
I bought my S Class used. I was looking for the unicorn of options...MBC, heads up display and the 3D Burmester. Most S Classes don't even come with one of these features, I found one with all 3. So I bought it!
Hope this helps a bit. I am sure this is obvious, but may be hard to pull off. Drive 2 cars back to back. One with and one without. Then you will have a definitive answer. And, please share it with us.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 38
Likes: 3
S550
I do not have that option
Magic body control uses cameras to scan the road and adjust the suspension to smooth the ride even more than an already super smooth ride in the sclass. Does it work and hiw effective it is I dont know. It sounds good in theory but I can not comment on how it compares to ones that don't have it.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 706
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2018 S 650, 2014 SL 550, 2017 911 TTS Cab, '13 F458 Spider
before I purchased mine I drove one with and without MBC, I could not tell the difference driving around town, my guess is MBC would make a difference on a speed bump, but not much benefit otherwise
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 485
Likes: 74
From: Marina Del Rey, CA
2015 MBZ S 550
On the other hand...when it works, it's a great way to impress your friends!!!...
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 254
2014 S550 AMG, 2017 XT5
I once dated a girl that had MBC, boy could I tell the difference...
One thing for sure is you loose 4Matic if you have MBC. I guess for most that does not matter, but if you are in the colder climates, 4Matic comes in handy.
One thing for sure is you loose 4Matic if you have MBC. I guess for most that does not matter, but if you are in the colder climates, 4Matic comes in handy.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 361
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From: Orange County, CA
W222 S550e, C207 E550, W212 E350
Magic Body Control is a camera and suspension system that watches the road up to 150 feet ahead and can detect a road imperfection as small as a half an inch. Then prepares the suspension before the initial impact as opposed to after or during on regular suspension.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 485
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From: Marina Del Rey, CA
2015 MBZ S 550
Last edited by Socalsteve; Feb 26, 2017 at 11:20 PM.
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S, GL
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 485
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From: Marina Del Rey, CA
2015 MBZ S 550
render ineffective; deprive of vigor or force.
"disarmament negotiations that will neuter their military power"
I does not render it ineffective. It works, given the right conditions. I am sure this is the same case in Europe.
Why would MBZ offer/sell a very expensive option if they rendered it ineffective? Does that make sense to you?
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 485
Likes: 74
From: Marina Del Rey, CA
2015 MBZ S 550
Still not sure if it does anything else. I have been told that it makes the hydraulic lift system much faster. Mine is super fast to raise the car. After that and the smoothing out the speed bumps, not sure if it does anything else.
Anyone? Anyone?
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 766
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S, GL
MB can't control regulations. They have already invested the r&d so neutering it for the US makes sense vs not offering it all together.
In the US, the DOT doesn't want you to be able to fly over speed bumps at 30mph without feeling the bump. In a European spec'd vehicle, MBC is more aggressive and is allowed to cancel out much more of the movement. This is why you and others report things like "when it works, it works well"
Does that make sense to you?
In the US, the DOT doesn't want you to be able to fly over speed bumps at 30mph without feeling the bump. In a European spec'd vehicle, MBC is more aggressive and is allowed to cancel out much more of the movement. This is why you and others report things like "when it works, it works well"
Does that make sense to you?
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 485
Likes: 74
From: Marina Del Rey, CA
2015 MBZ S 550
MB can't control regulations. They have already invested the r&d so neutering it for the US makes sense vs not offering it all together.
In the US, the DOT doesn't want you to be able to fly over speed bumps at 30mph without feeling the bump. In a European spec'd vehicle, MBC is more aggressive and is allowed to cancel out much more of the movement. This is why you and others report things like "when it works, it works well"
Does that make sense to you?
In the US, the DOT doesn't want you to be able to fly over speed bumps at 30mph without feeling the bump. In a European spec'd vehicle, MBC is more aggressive and is allowed to cancel out much more of the movement. This is why you and others report things like "when it works, it works well"
Does that make sense to you?
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
This has been discussed many times before, but MBC = ABC suspension + Camera & software.
I wish MB never mentioned the silly speed bumps since it's effectiveness is based on camera vision and stepping on the brakes (which suspends MBC).
Now everyone thinks MBC if for a bumpy road.
The value in MBC is the active suspension which easily outperforms Airmatic in all circumstances. Great option but only available on RWD.
In terms of money, ABC used to be a $4k option, so they tagged on another $600 or so for the "magic".
If you can forget about the speed bumps and don't need AWD, it is the best suspension available for the S-Class...
I wish MB never mentioned the silly speed bumps since it's effectiveness is based on camera vision and stepping on the brakes (which suspends MBC).
Now everyone thinks MBC if for a bumpy road.
The value in MBC is the active suspension which easily outperforms Airmatic in all circumstances. Great option but only available on RWD.
In terms of money, ABC used to be a $4k option, so they tagged on another $600 or so for the "magic".
If you can forget about the speed bumps and don't need AWD, it is the best suspension available for the S-Class...
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 485
Likes: 74
From: Marina Del Rey, CA
2015 MBZ S 550
This has been discussed many times before, but MBC = ABC suspension + Camera & software.
I wish MB never mentioned the silly speed bumps since it's effectiveness is based on camera vision and stepping on the brakes (which suspends MBC).
Now everyone thinks MBC if for a bumpy road.
The value in MBC is the active suspension which easily outperforms Airmatic in all circumstances. Great option but only available on RWD.
In terms of money, ABC used to be a $4k option, so they tagged on another $600 or so for the "magic".
If you can forget about the speed bumps and don't need AWD, it is the best suspension available for the S-Class...
I wish MB never mentioned the silly speed bumps since it's effectiveness is based on camera vision and stepping on the brakes (which suspends MBC).
Now everyone thinks MBC if for a bumpy road.
The value in MBC is the active suspension which easily outperforms Airmatic in all circumstances. Great option but only available on RWD.
In terms of money, ABC used to be a $4k option, so they tagged on another $600 or so for the "magic".
If you can forget about the speed bumps and don't need AWD, it is the best suspension available for the S-Class...
Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 431
S600
While I enjoy MBC in my S600,
I can tell everyone that if all manufactures start putting MBC in all of their cars,
the powers that be will have to make all the speed bumps all that more damaging to vehicles.
I can tell everyone that if all manufactures start putting MBC in all of their cars,
the powers that be will have to make all the speed bumps all that more damaging to vehicles.
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 217
Likes: 15
From: Los Angeles, CA
S65, SL65
I have MBC on a 2015 550. After over 2 years of driving, I still question if its actually beneficial and if so, under what circumstances. I know what the marketing department is putting out, but I swear it doesn't seem to improve dealing w/ pot holes and other road defects that I've driven over w/ other cars. Sure doesn't seem to match what's portrayed in the corporate promo videos. Never thought to determine if it can be de-activated - I'll look and if possible turn it off for a while and be mindful of the difference on a known roads. Anyone else who has MBC should do likewise and comment. $4,600 isn't trivial.
