Magic body control
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: San Mateo, CA
In search of W222
Magic body control
Hi all,
I’m in the market for a w222 with MBC. Any naysayers on MBC? We live in CA and are ok with just RWD. Plan to have warranty.
Also, any tips on how to find one of these beauties would be much appreciated.
Looking forward to your opinions and input.
I’m in the market for a w222 with MBC. Any naysayers on MBC? We live in CA and are ok with just RWD. Plan to have warranty.
Also, any tips on how to find one of these beauties would be much appreciated.
Looking forward to your opinions and input.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 14,666
Likes: 4,568
From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Lots written on this site. Downsides are complexity/cost to repair and night functionality is different than day because of dependence on cameras.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 344
Likes: 160
From: Maysville, KY , est'd 1767
Mercedes S560
Have never had a problem with it. Have never noticed any "night functionality" problems whatsoever. My wife does the driving if we're both in the car, and we're still enjoying ti very much. Because we have been so pleased with it, paying for repairs wouldn't bother me one bit.
From other seekers for MBC cars here, apparently they are difficult to find. Good luck!
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
One of, if not “THE” best options ever offered by MB. I’ve had 3 W222’s with it and it is truly fabulous. That said, finding a car with it is just about impossible. Good luck.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 641
Likes: 226
From: Charlotte, NC
2024 E450 AT Wagon, 2024 EQS450+ / Had: 2021 E350, 2019 E300, 2021 + 20 GLE350, 2019 E450 Wagon(s)
Was a CPO 2020 S560 for sale in SC - lightly optioned but oddly had MBC. Wasn't the cleanest carfax (transmission had been out of the car twice) or I would have looked at it - sold already.
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
One of the things that really makes it difficult finding a W222 with MBC, is that about the only way you can determine if the car is so equipped, is to turn on the ignition and to bring up the screen that shows the driving modes. If you see “CURVE,” it’s got MBC. Of course, the best way is to see the factory build sheet or the window sticker, but as these cars change hands and are offered for sale by second & more owners, non-authorized MB dealers, it will get more difficult.
Super Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 810
Likes: 182
From: Laguna Niguel
'94 SL600,'05 SL600,'06 S65,'07 E63,'14 E63S,'09SL600 all sold, ‘15 S65,‘18 E63S,'17 SL65, '17S65Cab
Streamliner, that method of looking for CURVE in the driving mode list only works on 2018 and newer S class cars. CURVE was added to the MBC system in 2018, so 2014 through 2017 S class cars with MBC will not have the CURVE feature.
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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 right you are! I forgot about that, as I did have a 2015 S550 with MBC.
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 362
Likes: 186
2018 S560, 2004 SL500, 2014 S550 (SOLD), 2012 S550 x2(SOLD), 2007 CL600 (SOLD), 2007 S600(SOLD)
On the W222 MBC is ABC with a camera that can anticipate the road ahead and react ahead of time. It is an active suspension system, one of the only available on the market. I had a 2012 S550 with airmatic and I currently have a 2007 CL600 with ABC. Cost aside, I prefer ABC. I found ride quality comparable (wheel size and tire selection will have a bigger impact on ride quality), but ABC provides an extra layer of connection to the road that air ride cars don't. There' still a layer of butter between the inputs and the driver, but I feel more in control in an ABC equipped car. Once I learned more about it I began to notice the lack of pitch, dive, and body roll when driving. It has an almost magic carpet effect (McLaren has a similar setup in the 720s and that's how journalists have described it). It also feels more composed at higher speeds. Most won't know or care. I've been with at a Mercedes dealer for five years and I have yet to have a customer inquire about ABC, MBC, or E-ABC. Shame because they are amazing systems.
It helps to understand what you're actually buying with MBC. The marketing of MBC really emphasized the road scan feature as if that's what you were checking the option box for. What you're really paying for is the hardware of the ABC suspension. It limits pitch, dive, and body roll to the point where its almost completely gone (check out the 3:22 mark of the video below), it can be raised/lowered, it is self leveling, and it doesn't require sway bars. With nothing connecting the opposite wheels, bumps on one side of the car don't upset the other (something that I find very noticeable with Airmatic). Gives the car that "magic carpet ride" effect that McLaren seemed to coin with there similar style active suspension system.
Comfort is subjective (to a degree haha). I would definitely agree that Airmatic is softer, however not by too much in my opinion. I'm probably biased, but cost aside I prefer ABC/MBC in pretty much every driving condition whether it be around town, driving aggressively, or highway blasting. Love the idea of active suspension. If anyone has a beat on a pre-facelift W222 with MBC and 3D Burmester let me know!
I actually have a W222 S550 now and have since sold both of the cars described above. Mine is on Airmatic and while I love the car and I do not mind the air ride at all, I still prefer ABC/MBC.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 58
Likes: 29
From: Southern California
Mercedes S550
Have a 2015 S550, Black, Loaded, with Magic Body Control. This is my third S with ABC, first with MBC, and I LOVE it. Every time that I get a loaner (of course never an S class) at my dealer, it feels like I'm in a buckboard. Nothing like it. It's marvelous! Quite the vehicle.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 58
Likes: 29
From: Southern California
Mercedes S550
BTW, almost forgot to mention, that I am in Southern California, Orange County. System is perfect for these roads.
I bought the car, used, from a general used car dealer (non-Mercedes) about 1-1/2 years ago, from Eastern Florida, just above Miami.I looked for about 2 years before I found this beauty. Good Luck in your search!
I bought the car, used, from a general used car dealer (non-Mercedes) about 1-1/2 years ago, from Eastern Florida, just above Miami.I looked for about 2 years before I found this beauty. Good Luck in your search!
