Corsair66

I got tired of waiting for S63 orders to open up, so I pulled the trigger on an S580. This will be my third MB (2014 CLS550 & 2021 E63S) and I'm already looking forward to the car, reading the manual, etc. The first two were Lunar Blue and I'm hoping that Nautical Blue is just as nice.

Ken

Frenetic

Congrats. Any notable options?

How long did they tell you it will take from order to delivery? I intend to order my next S class as well and I’m curious on the timing versus my current lease.

sam9187

S63 orders have been open for past couple weeks. Not sure if you knew this or not.

Corsair66

I'm still waiting for my build/delivery dates, but should hear this week.

Luxury Line - Options:

Nautical Blue
Macchiato/Grey
Burl Walnut
Warmth & Comfort
3D Technology
20" Y-Multispoke
E-Active Body Control

Corsair66

I was aware, but an S580 build date was more readily available, so I went that way.

Frenetic

Can you share those dates if you don’t mind?

Corsair66

Will do.

Streamliner

Have you driven an S580 with EABC? As someone who had it on my 2022 S580, I STRONGLY recommend that you take an extended test drive in an EABC equipped car, before you hand them your $6,500.00 for that option. I have had many MB’s with either ABC or MBC and I truly loved the ride quality those systems delivered. I was SO looking forward to EABC being a huge step forward, but was tremendously disappointed in it. In my opinion, the standard AirMatic is the best bet for the W223 cars. Hopefully, they will rework the EABC system for the 2025 refresh models, but I’m not holding my breath. Best of luck to you.

Corsair66

I haven't driven a W223 with EABC, though some additional searching has revealed more opinions like yours. Thanks for the good info. I've just emailed my sales guy to drop the option from my build.

regancc

While I don't have a lot of experience with my 2023 with EABC, my drive from Houston to West Palm Beach, FL (1200 miles) was wonderful. And of course, the Nautical Blue is absolutely the best color! Just got it back from my film guy and a complete Xpel film and ceramic treatment from Front to rear...looks amazing! Now it is getting the calipers painted red. So, tonight, it will be the exact way I want it!

Frenetic

You should take the EABC money and apply that to the 4D Burmester. The base 3D Burmester is great but the 4D is a must have option for me on my next S Class.

Corsair66

I thought about ordering it, but I hardly ever listen to the radio in the car, so I didn't see the point.

crabman

If you're not into it, you're not into it. The 4D is quite good though; I've had it elsewhere, but this one is the top dog. Still, you don't see that money on the other side so I guess a skip is a good choice.

Other options to consider: The console with the pattern on it looks a little better than the plain black, doesn't visibly fingerprint up as fast, and it's cheap. You don't have rear steer in there and I understand it's not available in the Luxury line, but it's a nice add. You then push to AMG with the substantial price bump but, it's a big benny in the lots so worth at least a quick ponder if you've not already gone there.

Good choice on the suspension, you don't see that money on the other side either, and most long time owners report it being less cush. Not a good thing on a car that absolutely does not encourage hooliganism.

Corsair66

I'll try to find some good pics of the patterned console and give it some thought. I'd much prefer to have it in burl walnut, but that's obviously not happening.

I absolutely like the idea of rear steer, but I went with the Luxury line in order to get the burl walnut. It's not available with the AMG and the Executive seems mostly about the rear seat features which I don't care about at all. If only we could pick and choose without having to wait (I haven't even bothered to ask how long a delay it would entail) for Manufaktur.

crabman

Agree with all of that.

Why they went with the black for the lower console is a mystery to me, doesn't belong in your uber sedan no matter what badge it's wearing. And yeah; it would be much easier to make a list of people who didn't complain about the way the options/packages are set up in the US. In fact; I'll go ahead and write all the member names below, as near as I can recall, that said they were happy with it.

Bubba1

Congratulations! Beautiful spec.

Good you got rid of the EABC. The Macchiato is gorgeous. I love the airiness of the interior!

crabman

How's the Macchiato holding up? I like the look but was afraid it would age quickly.

Corsair66

It still looks great (nearly pristine) in my '21 E63S.

BenjaminKohl

Re: e-abc from what I've read it doesn't help much with comfort but does help with sporty driving. If you were looking at an S63, it's probably wirth getting e-abc to get the good handling.

Fried Chicken

It sounds like Mercedes should have stuck with traditional hydraulic suspension. The electrohydraulic system offers simplicity (a big plus) and lower fuel consumption (meh), but apparently can't match the actuator driven awesomeness of continuous hydraulic flow.

Research Article on electromechanical hydraulic suspension:
https://www.researchgate.net/publica...e_body_control

wildta

EABC isn't perfect at the moment but it is decent IMO. I prefer it in my GLE over airmatic. I've had airmatic loaners for anywhere from a few days to a week and prefer my EABC suspension over airmatic. I personally think it's equal to airmatic in most situations but excels in drive dynamic settings and certain types of bumps and dips. For example, a rutted dirt road is surprisingly smoothed out with EABC, obviously an S-class isn't going to be in that position but the system is definitely working to smooth out each of those bumps. The tech is there and is capable of being much better than the previous ABC systems, it just needs further refinement, for example like getting rid of the camera for sensors that can be used during day, night, and inclement weather. I'm sure it'll come soon as described by this tech here:
https://www.motortrend.com/events/ma...sion-ces-2024/

I would get EABC again if they can get rid of the camera and use sensors instead.

Streamliner

The MB Active Body Control (ABC) and Magic Body Control (MBC) systems are absolutely marvelous. I had a 2013 S550 with ABC and then three W222’s with MBC. Those cars were “THE” best riding & handling sedans I have ever driven. The systems did EVERYTHING amazingly well. Bumps and other road imperfections virtually disappeared and the cars had a “Magic Carpet” ride quality that I believe was absolutely world class. It was very evident that MB took whatever time was necessary to properly test, tune and adjust the systems perfectly. Unfortunately, when E-ABC was offered on the W223 sedans, the $6,500.00 optional suspension system appeared to NOT have been properly tested, tuned and adjusted. The E-ABC equipped 2022 S580 I had offered up exceptionally POOR ride quality, especially at less than highway speeds.

I took my car into Fletcher Jones in Newport Beach—the largest MB dealer in the USA—on numerous occasions, always being told that “the system is operating as designed.” My car had 19” wheels and I changed the tires TWICE to non-run flats, and the ride was still harsh at times and constantly annoying. When I drove an AirMatic equipped W223 loaner, I felt the base suspension to be decidedly better.

At best, the W223 S Class and other new models, launched for MY21 & later, were not properly or thoroughly tested before being delivered to customers. At worst, they were not properly engineered, in my opinion.

Fried Chicken

Well it was a decades long process of iterative improvements. Hydraulic suspension iirc started in the 90s on the e-class wagon (SBC?). I also know the R129 SL offered a hydraulic suspension, then came the first iteration of ABC with the w215, w220, and R230 at the turn of the millennium. That system was good but notorious. ABC II came after on the W221 and afaik was markedly more reliable, but nobody ordered it b/c they were scared from ABC 1. Other than greater reliability and easier serviceability, it brought a couple extra features like bridge wind correction or something. MBC came after that, integrating the cameras.

Now Mercedes seems to have cheapened out with E-ABC, a whole new approach, that hasn't been tested for decades.

Streamliner

This seems to be a trend with MB that started several years ago, but really raised its ugly head with the release of 2021 & later new models. Take a look at the latest model GLE, GLC or even the R232 SL forums and you will find a tremendous number of nagging issues and stories of buy backs. After 17 new MB’s, with my last nine new cars being MB’s, it looks like I’m headed to BMW for my next new car.

The local MB dealers here in South Orange County, seem to be absolutely overwhelmed and DROWNING in the onslaught of issues they are having to deal with these days. I find it just about impossible to get them to do much of anything other than charge me horrendous prices for scheduled service. I’m done!

Corsair66

I just learned that my build date is 4/29. Delivery should be in early June.