4MATIC or MAGIC BODY CONTROL
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
When my neighbor's MBC failed on his W222, it didn't sag nearly as bad as the R230 shown above. My mom's SL600 had ABC failure a while back and was practically undrivable. The R230 used a different ABC system than the W222. It's more expensive to maintain, yet it rides quite a bit smoother imo than the MBC found in the W222.
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Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
When my neighbor's MBC failed on his W222, it didn't sag nearly as bad as the R230 shown above. My mom's SL600 had ABC failure a while back and was practically undrivable. The R230 used a different ABC system than the W222. It's more expensive to maintain, yet it rides quite a bit smoother imo than the MBC found in the W222.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 11
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Golf 7R
As someone who has a great feeling for detail in riding, i can say that airmatic gives you more of the feeling you're sailing over water. A hydraulic suspension usually doesn't come close to it, but MBC does. However, it gives you more of a feeling you're driving on a road, in stead of floating over it. It does a great job at keeping the car level, making it more comfortable when going over a speed bump or pot hole. But when cruising over a normal road surface, airmatic is better at eliminating the small subtle changes making it better for long distanc trips.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 258
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From: Southern California (L.A.)
2019 S65 Coupe, 2017 S650 Maybach Convertible, 2020 S560 Sedan, 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo S
I'm no expert but can tell you I absolutely love my 2020 W222 with MBC. My 2017 S550 did not have it and the difference is significant. Overall the ride is much smoother and quieter with MBC. Especially on rough roads, over bumps and pot holes. Sadly, it doesn't work at night (I guess the cameras can't see at night sufficiently). Thus, roads and bumps I smoothly drive over during the daytime become rougher at night. Especially bumps in the road. Bottom line, I wouldn't buy another S class without it.
Member
Joined: Feb 2023
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Can anyone comment on the differences in road noise transfer on coarse roads (e.g. chipseal roads)?
MBC appears to work only until 80 mph (we have 80 mph posted roads here in TX...), and when on the throttle.
The only MBC car near me is a new Maybach. Not going to ask the dealer to drive that, since there are too many differences.
MBC appears to work only until 80 mph (we have 80 mph posted roads here in TX...), and when on the throttle.
The only MBC car near me is a new Maybach. Not going to ask the dealer to drive that, since there are too many differences.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,157
Likes: 4,382
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Can anyone comment on the differences in road noise transfer on coarse roads (e.g. chipseal roads)?
MBC appears to work only until 80 mph (we have 80 mph posted roads here in TX...), and when on the throttle.
The only MBC car near me is a new Maybach. Not going to ask the dealer to drive that, since there are too many differences.
MBC appears to work only until 80 mph (we have 80 mph posted roads here in TX...), and when on the throttle.
The only MBC car near me is a new Maybach. Not going to ask the dealer to drive that, since there are too many differences.
do not hesitate. It is an absolutely SENSATIONAL option.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,692
Likes: 4,584
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,692
Likes: 4,584
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
But it won't completely carry its weight, it does sag.
No, it is a true statement. I said it won't COMPLETELY completely carry the weight of the car and will sink substantially, and that is true. If it sinks at all below normal ride height it does not completely carry the weight of the car. The point is the car is suspended by the hydraulic fluid, the springs alone are not enough to completely carry the weight of the car. People are acting like this is a normal strut/spring suspension with a hydraulic actuator and thats not correct. The difference between this and airmatic is airmatic has no spring...
No, it is a true statement. I said it won't COMPLETELY completely carry the weight of the car and will sink substantially, and that is true. If it sinks at all below normal ride height it does not completely carry the weight of the car. The point is the car is suspended by the hydraulic fluid, the springs alone are not enough to completely carry the weight of the car. People are acting like this is a normal strut/spring suspension with a hydraulic actuator and thats not correct. The difference between this and airmatic is airmatic has no spring...
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
The correctness of the statement comes down to the definition of "carry the weight". The hydraulic strut sits on top of the springs which results in the springs seeing the full weight of the car, regardless of the functioning of the strut. It is a given that if the hydraulic strut function is to set the level of the car, that if is failed, then the car will sit at a different level than if it is functioning.
Last edited by MBNUT1; May 3, 2023 at 03:51 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,141
Likes: 4,630
From: Maryland
2024 S580
The correctness of the statement comes down to the definition of "carry the weight". The hydraulic strut sits on top of the springs which results in the springs seeing the full weight of the car, regardless of the functioning of the strut. It is a given that if the hydraulic strut function is to set the level of the car, that if is failed, then the car will sit at a different level than if it is functioning.
Lets leave the "it depends on what your definition of is, is" BS out of it...
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 11
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Golf 7R
Let's keep it friendly shall we? Air suspension will drop noticeably further if it fails compared to hydraulic suspension.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,141
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,977
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
What does support the weight mean to you? The springs are supporting the weight of the car. The entire weight of the car is resting on the springs. BTW the the entire weight of the car is also resting on the struts failed or not. The cars weight sits on the struts the struts sit on the springs, the springs transmit the weight to the wheels. They are not sharing the load with each other, they are transmitting the same force to each other.
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Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
What does support the weight mean to you? The springs are supporting the weight of the car. The entire weight of the car is resting on the springs. BTW the the entire weight of the car is also resting on the struts failed or not. The cars weight sits on the struts the struts sit on the springs, the springs transmit the weight to the wheels. They are not sharing the load with each other, they are transmitting the same force to each other.
The point was to highlight that this is not a normal strut/spring suspension with adaptive dampers, that it is suspended by the hydraulic rams. For instance in my old Lexus GS with AVS if the AVS dampers fail, you just have a normal suspension without the added adjustable dampers, thats not the case here with MBC even though it has coil springs.
Last edited by SW20S; May 4, 2023 at 10:15 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
Sounds like you agree that the ABC/ MBC springs support the weight of the car in the event of a hydraulic failure in the same manner that the airmatic emergency springs support the weight of car in the event of a loss of air pressure.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
But that wasn't what I meant and you know it. The springs are not enough to support the car at its normal drivable ride height without the hydraulic pressure. Everybody understood what I said including you. I'm not going to continue to argue semantics with you.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Cincinnati
2010 E350 4Matic
It's just a matter of correct use of terminology. Completely carry the weight of means just that. An analogy would be if a guy had someone sitting on their shoulders who had dumbbells in their hands. The guy on the bottom would completely carry their weight (and dumbbells) whether the person raised the dumbbells over their head or rested them by their waist.
Last edited by MBNUT1; May 5, 2023 at 10:39 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,141
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
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Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Venice Florida
2018 S560
I’d say worse than an aromatic car at night. I’ve had both. Traded a 2017 with air matic for a 2018 with mbc. Night and day difference driving cars back to back during daytime. The mbc rides so much better and feels so much more connected to the road. When I first drove my mbc 2018 it felt like a totally different car. At night time on smooth roads the mbc is better as the feel of the car and handling is better. It’s just over bumpy roads at nighttime the air matic will take the bumps better and be more floaty. To me the mbc is a very worthwhile option. I leave it in curve mode most of the time and very great feeling leaning in and out of corners. Car stays very firmly planted.
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From: U.S.
Current/Last 5-years:GLS;G70;Alpina B8;X7;Accord. Sold:X7,TeslaS;S560;S550,X5;530e;L.Navigator;LS460
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 258
Likes: 135
From: Southern California (L.A.)
2019 S65 Coupe, 2017 S650 Maybach Convertible, 2020 S560 Sedan, 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo S
Magic body control on my 2020 S560 is amazing. well worth it. You'll notice the difference at night especially when driving at lower speeds on rough roads or over speed bumps. That said, even with the MBC not working (at night) the ride is still very good. My previous 2017 S550 did not have MBC, had the "Sprorts package" 20" run flats and it drove rough all the time. Swapping out the run flats helped a bit, but it was still rough. Other factors will also affect ride. I chose the 19" rims on my 2020 S560. Together with MBC the car ride is fantastic. (Better than the ride in the new W223 in my opinion) My suggestion, if you can find a W222 with MBC, get it.
