Hi everyone. I am researching cars and strongly looking at a new W223. I was considering a used W222, but the lack of a few items forced me to look at newer. Those of you who have E- active body control, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Does it help? Is it buggy? What are your impressions of this sophisticated system?

Thanks in advance

 

​not a lot of customers opt for that, it is a subpar system to magic body control, according to a forum member, @Streamliner which had first hand experience with it, OP I recommend getting the standard air suspension as a result.

 

Yes, I read his review. Just wondering if others feel the same

Thanks

 

OP, here is another interesting thing I learned recently: https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ml#post9072114

 

You’ll have to try it first to decide for yourself… I don’t think there is one right answer.

I test drove a few GLS 580s 1-2 years when I cross-shopped it with an X7 M60, and at that time I chose the X7. The EABC made the GLS feel a bit too firm. I also test drove a few W222s with MBC (though not the same system) and I felt the same, the ride was rough. The system works as designed on highways to absorb and predicts some of the ups/downs, and also on turns, but for in-town roads, the system was inferior to airmatic in both the GLS and W222. Airmatic was always softer to me for in-town rough roads. It seems like EABC and MBC only works under certain conditions, and perhaps doesn’t work at all at night (am not sure) bus surely made the car more firm on rough roads.

 

I had it on my 2022 S580. I highly recommend against it.

 

I see, I agree with the drive it and see/decide comment.

 

The e-abc first appeared in 2018 on 2019 GLE in Europe. It was later on discontinued and only optional on GLS and Maybach, now W223 etc.

Relatively new technology is what I am trying to get at as it is not commonly optioned and there is not much data as a result on reliability, neither does MB have much practice on improving it as a result.

 

Thanks everyone. This helps a lot

Have a great day

 

Haha you too : )

 

The W222 with MBC that you test drove must have had huge wheels, run flat tires and was test driven on horrible roads. I had three W222’s, all optioned with MBC & 18” wheels. I immediately swapped out the run flats for Bridgestone QuietTrack tires. These cars were “THE” best riding, best handling, most comfortable cars I have ever driven and nothing else previously or since has come close. Magic Body Control was one of those marvelous engineering miracles that MB was once famous for. Alas, those days of seeking perfection in Stuttgart seem to be way behind us.

Side note: I am currently on a 1,000 mile road trip with my wife in our new BMW I7. We passed a new E Class sedan and my wife—who has driven E Class vehicles for decades—commented “what is with those goofy taillights?” Of course, she was referring to the truly gauche and ridiculous looking taillight lenses stuffed with 3-pointed stars. She said she would never want one. MB loses yet another customer. Keep it up guys!

 

We're not done yet with the stars, new CLA, X167 GLS facelift, W206 facelift, W223 facelift etc. will be getting some stars in headlights.

 

I can't stop posting this video when I hear MBC:

 

Is EABC always active or is is completely defeatable?

 

EABC is the complete suspension system. It has various settings, but you can’t “turn it off” as such. You can’t throw a switch and have it become an AirMatic equipped vehicle.

 

I see. Thank you

 

That’s a great video and MBC does, indeed do that. EABC, on the other hand, behaves NOTHING like that. Mercedes-Benz HAD PERFECT with MBC, so naturally, they had to drop it in favor of something that costs way more and doesn’t perform as well as the standard AirMatic. Go figure.

 

Oh I thought you saw this video before, I always share it so you must had came across it sometime : )

Point is I guess MB is a technology forward company... I guess so they like to try new things and um take risks, hence the e-abc was born, although I think the idea was from audi's a8? https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ml#post9077185

 

She has a very good point until you realize that the front end of your 7er is arguably suffering from the exact same issue of looking hideous and ridiculous.

Other than that, I generally agree with your assessment.

 

If you're used to driving BMWs, airmatic will not button down (sport mode) like E-ABC unless you have an AMG with AMG Ride Control (ARC aka active sway). E-ABC has the ability to mimic sway bars (but also longitudinal) and keep the vehicle flat when WOT, braking, and turning. Curve mode is great for windy roads and curved on-ramps, it leans into turns like a motorcycle.

 

Unique & cutting edge design (like it or not) is one thing, plastering logos everywhere is another. I was not thrilled with the look of the new BMW 7, but I must admit that it has grown on me. We just returned from a 1200 mile road trip up to Napa Valley and watching folks do a double take as they would see the car was fun. Mrs. Streamliner is in love with the car and feels it is lovely and elegant—of course, she thinks I’m handsome too, so take it for what it’s worth.

 

The look has grown on me as well. Ride, comfort, and features are my type priorities besides looks. It sounds like a a wonderful ride, and looks fine to me; it's not appalling as some say.

 

Grown on me as well.

but by the way, you are indeed handsome though right

 

She's gonna love the facelift W223 S-Class with both the headlights and taillights getting them 😂

 

Hello everyone, does anyone filmed their car with e-abc? I have searched for a real life video of a s class with an e-abc a lot but, couldn't find one. As it is too difficult to find and test one with an e-abc, I was really wondering how it feels like in the videos.