Notices
S-Class (W222) 2014-2020

How can you tell if a W222 has MBC?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Apr 30, 2023 | 11:54 AM
  #1  
Streamliner's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,125
Likes: 4,353
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
How can you tell if a W222 has MBC?

As someone who has has three W222’s with MBC or “Magic Body Control,” you would think I would know, but I don’t. Is there a different button in the passenger cabin that is easy to spot? If the car is switched on and you move through the various suspension settings, obviously if you see the “Curve” setting, the car has MBC. But, when looking at online ads for used W222’s, you will not see that, so I am wondering if there is a way to tell. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

P.S. If a car is at an authorized MB dealer, you can ask them to send you the build sheet on the car, which is the best way, but I’m looking for a way to tell from interior photos.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2023 | 12:17 PM
  #2  
Jim Ma's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 283
Likes: 102
From: Maryland
S 550, S65 Coupe
If the car has MBC it will have a swtich on the left side of the center console that says ABC with Sport and Comfort on either side of it. Airmatic equipped cars just has a swtich in the same place that says Sport and Comfort. I also think all MBC car are only RWD. Also i think that the facelift cars have a little bit differnt design of the switches. See Picture in the next post



Last edited by Jim Ma; Apr 30, 2023 at 12:35 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2023 | 12:23 PM
  #3  
NbyNW's Avatar
Senior Member
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 457
Likes: 253
From: SD
Various
Mine if it helps. Dynamic and Raise options.



Reply
Old Apr 30, 2023 | 12:36 PM
  #4  
Streamliner's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,125
Likes: 4,353
From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by Jim Ma
If the car has MBC it will have a swtich on the left side of the center console that says ABC with Sport and Comfort on either side of it. Airmatic equipped cars just has a swtich in the same place that says Sport and Comfort. I also think all MBC car are only RWD.

The lower photo, do you know what model car that is? I think it may be an S63 or S65. My S560’s, as I recall, did not look like that.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2023 | 01:03 PM
  #5  
Jim Ma's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 283
Likes: 102
From: Maryland
S 550, S65 Coupe
The lower photo is a prefacelift car. I don't know which model as I just grabbed it from google. After seeing NbyNW post I realized that maybe original poster was reffering to post facelift cars and did notice that S65s which do have MBC have a different button below the Dynamic Switch. The S65 have a buttom with a picture of gears on it instead of the Car Raising button. Maybe that is an indicator or possible the button on the right side that is of a shock but i am not completely sure.


Last edited by Jim Ma; Apr 30, 2023 at 01:06 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2023 | 01:08 PM
  #6  
Quenthel's Avatar
Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 228
Likes: 126
From: Zürich, Switzerland
S560 Long 4Matic (DE) MY 2018
Throwing a suggestion: If it's a post-FL, shouldn't it be able to change to CURVE mode if it has MBC?
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2023 | 01:20 PM
  #7  
NbyNW's Avatar
Senior Member
Veteran: Navy
15 Year Member
Shutterbug
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 457
Likes: 253
From: SD
Various
Originally Posted by Quenthel
Throwing a suggestion: If it's a post-FL, shouldn't it be able to change to CURVE mode if it has MBC?
He's trying to find a pic of a button to tell when looking through inventory. A pic of the Curve menu may not be in pics taken by whoever is selling it. And some dealers don't post the built sheet. Cat and mouse game.

Maybe that's what you're saying based on the very first pic above.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2023 | 01:47 PM
  #8  
Quenthel's Avatar
Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 228
Likes: 126
From: Zürich, Switzerland
S560 Long 4Matic (DE) MY 2018
No, I guess you are right. I assume that if it's an MBC, it would at least not have the 4MATIC lettering in the rear, which allows one to filter potential cars down, then asking for details (and a photo of the menu for post-FL cars).
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 11, 2025 | 12:49 PM
  #9  
Quietride's Avatar
Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 223
Likes: 111
Having still never come across a MBC car for sale anywhere, I asked ChatGPT about additional differentiators.

The windshield camera dome would be the easiest tell from online photos. Can MBC owners confirm or deny that the sensor array is different from the non-MBC example in the photo below?

(of course it's also code 487)

Edit: it looks no different from this MBC example: https://thembmarket.com/2015-mercedes-benz-s550-1



Last edited by Quietride; Jul 11, 2025 at 12:55 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2025 | 03:02 PM
  #10  
VII's Avatar
VII
Super Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 975
Likes: 270
From: Fort Worth TX
2020 S560, 2014 SLK55 (Prev. 2016 S65, 2013 SLK350, 2008 CLS63, 2006 E350, 2006 CLS500, 2005 C230K)
ChatGPT....
You'd be better served asking an 8 ball.

And yes it's incorrect.
Reply
Old Jul 11, 2025 | 05:17 PM
  #11  
C Swenson's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 224
Likes: 133
From: Colorado
2015 S550 4Matic, 2014 ML550
Originally Posted by VII
ChatGPT....
You'd be better served asking an 8 ball...

Reply
Old Jul 12, 2025 | 10:24 PM
  #12  
JohnLane's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Loved
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,613
Likes: 1,209
From: Phoenix
222 S-65
If it is a 222 and has the button for ABC it has MBC.

MBC has a fluid reservoir on the left side of the engine compartment toward the front.
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2025 | 10:25 PM
  #13  
VII's Avatar
VII
Super Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 975
Likes: 270
From: Fort Worth TX
2020 S560, 2014 SLK55 (Prev. 2016 S65, 2013 SLK350, 2008 CLS63, 2006 E350, 2006 CLS500, 2005 C230K)
The facelift lost the ABC button label.
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2025 | 10:29 PM
  #14  
JohnLane's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Loved
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,613
Likes: 1,209
From: Phoenix
222 S-65
Originally Posted by VII
The facelift lost the ABC button label.
I learn something today.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:09 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE