Upgrading W123 to ABS - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

babymog · #16 07-19-2007, 09:44 PM

No ABS so that it can't wear out? Better get rid of the A/C and electric windows too, and that pesky radio.

ABS is useful, although I prefer Audi's early attempt with an OFF switch on the dash for some conditions, ...

Changing rotors and pads with ABS is the same as without, there is no connection to the pads/rotors, ditto for wheel bearings.

Palangi · #17 07-19-2007, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Miley

Once upon a time on this board there were rumors of a very late W123 with ABS in Europe. I kinda think that somebody found the parts in the Euro EPC.

Randy Leo has a Euro 123 with ABS. I don't remember what year it is.

Bruce Kennedy · #18 07-19-2007, 10:53 PM

I know where there is an 82 euro 300td with ABS. The car is rusty but runs. You could buy the whole thing for $800.00.

t walgamuth · #19 07-19-2007, 11:44 PM

the 83 euro 300d that i took the motor and tranny out of for my 83 240conversion had abs. It was all there. I could have swapped it all out but it requires multiple lines to each wheel and sensors everywhere. What with the brake lines and wiring required and no telling what all in the way of computers, etc. I felt that it was very unlikely that we could ever get it all transferred.

And since I have always felt that the brakes on a normal benz are pretty easy to control, I just decided not to attempt it and it all went to the crusher.

It looked like a whole lot of work to me.

Tom W

pawoSD · #20 07-20-2007, 12:02 AM

Multiple brake lines to each wheel??

Then thats the number one reason I'd not want it. Up here in the tundra region of salt and cold blizzards....our lines tend to rust away and require replacing, both brake and fuel lines....we just replaced them on our '83 300SD when the brake line to the rear sprung a leak. It was a huge project, and I can't even fathom trying to do it with more than one line leading to each wheel.

ABS is cool...but no thanks.

Hatterasguy · #21 07-20-2007, 12:11 AM

I'm not a race car driver I admit that now, I like ABS its saved my butt once or twice.

When something goes wrong on the street very often you don't expect it and you have no time to react, well other then slamming the pedal down and hoping for the best.

For that matter I'd love ASR, ESP, and whatever other traction aid MB offers as well. OMG they are nice.

For a race or sporty car I want none of that so I can have fun, but for a daily driver I want every traction aid I can get!

Computers are much faster than we are, and there reaction doesn't change because they are scared.

E150GT · #22 07-20-2007, 12:48 AM

in addition to abs,asr and all that good stuff, my a/c is a/an excellent engine brake/traction control.

Parrot of Doom · #23 07-20-2007, 07:25 AM

ABS does not reduce braking distances. It just helps the driver retain the ability to steer while braking hard.

#24 07-20-2007, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parrot of Doom

ABS does not reduce braking distances. It just helps the driver retain the ability to steer while braking hard.

Wouldn't be easier if we just taught people to drive?

winmutt · #25 07-20-2007, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

Wouldn't be easier if we just taught people to drive?

That is like saying I drive a motorcycle but I dont need gear because I will never wreck. Accidents happen.

ConnClark · #26 07-20-2007, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parrot of Doom

ABS does not reduce braking distances. It just helps the driver retain the ability to steer while braking hard.

Actually ABS does reduce braking distance some under most conditions. What this translates into energy reduction when you are in an accident however is negligible.

EDIT: http://www.abs-education.org/faqs/faqindex.htm

You are correct though that the main advantage is retaining the ability to steer.

It also saves wear and tear on your tires

winmutt · #27 07-20-2007, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConnClark

Actually ABS does reduce braking distance some under most conditions. What this translates into energy reduction when you are in an accident however is negligible.

EDIT: http://www.abs-education.org/faqs/faqindex.htm

You are correct though that the main advantage is retaining the ability to steer.

It also saves wear and tear on your tires

If your kicking ABS on often enough to consider wear and tear...........

But yes the ability to steer is the greatest facet. That is what I am talking about.

t walgamuth · #28 07-20-2007, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConnClark

Actually ABS does reduce braking distance some under most conditions. What this translates into energy reduction when you are in an accident however is negligible.

EDIT: http://www.abs-education.org/faqs/faqindex.htm

You are correct though that the main advantage is retaining the ability to steer.

It also saves wear and tear on your tires

Everything I have read says it does not result in the shortest stopping distance.

Locking them up and sliding does, according to all the car magazine testers.

I don't recommend sliding them though.

Tom W

#29 07-20-2007, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Everything I have read says it does not result in the shortest stopping distance.

Locking them up and sliding does, according to all the car magazine testers.

I don't recommend sliding them though.

Tom W

But there are times that I want that option, and I don't want some silly computer to decide for me. A couple of years ago (in the middle of SC someplace) I had a deer run right in front of me (no place to go on a straight 2 lane road). I ended up stopping very close to it by "slightly" locking the brakes, not a complete slid, but more of a slid than ABS would have let me do. I'm sure I would have hit it with ABS. I wouldn't even think about ABS on a motorcycle.

Hatterasguy · #30 07-20-2007, 09:37 PM

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3941056387431677832&q=brake+test&total=432&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=3

I will 100% garruntee that, that E320 just stopped in a heck of a shorter distence then a W123 could ever dream of.

I remember a few years back I think it was Motor Trend did a brake test of several classic American muscle cars. They made sure they were bone stock, and even went so far as to swap on new rotors and pads of the same brand, so they were totaly even. It was a 60-0 test just like that, they wanted to measure stopping distence. Some of the old cars are pretty scary when you nail the brakes, the rear drums usualy locked solid. Lots of fish tailing, you try to pump the brakes but can't do it as fast as an ABS system can. The guys that were doing the driving were all used to driving such cars on the track so they knew how to get the most out of them.

Then they took I think it was a brand new at the time Z06 Vette, the Vette stopped in like half the distence, no skill needed just slam the pedal down and keep it going straight.