Has anyone added ABS to their w123?

[Chad300tdt]

I've been thinking about how I'd like to do a brake upgrade on our upcoming 1985 300CD so it has ABS. It's to be my wife's daily driver and I'd like to feel safer about her commute.

Has anyone actually done this upgrade? Can you point out any issues that need to be kept in mind or parts needed that might not seem like common sense to have on hand?

[TheDon]

ABS causes nothing but trouble..With proper driver training you will never need it.

I did find a 230E eurospec with it in the yard a while ago, I almost pulled the ABS pump and everything related then realized it would probably be a nightmare to install.

[Chad300tdt]

Originally Posted by TheDon

ABS causes nothing but trouble..With proper driver training you will never need it.

I did find a 230E eurospec with it in the yard a while ago, I almost pulled the ABS pump and everything related then realized it would probably be a nightmare to install.

That will certainly be less effort for me. I actually like not having ABS myself. My initial reaction is to pump the brakes, not press and hold. My wife is used to ABS, so not having it will be an adjustment for her.

[Matt L]

Originally Posted by TheDon

ABS causes nothing but trouble..With proper driver training you will never need it.

If you really never need it, you will also not be aware of its existence.

[Chad300tdt]

I think I can easily be talked out of doing this.

My reason for thinking of it in the first place is that the route my wife takes to work is unusually slick when it rains and the roadway holds a lot of puddles. This road has cars traveling at 60+ MPH, so the ABS has been activated in the Acura MANY times.

I'll make sure she has appropriate tires, but I worry that may not be enough since the Acura has Michelin Pilot MMX tires and still utilizes the ABS. Maybe I'll get Summer/water tires since we have an extra set of bundts with Blizzaks mounted on them for winter driving. I had summer tires on my old CL and it stuck to the road in all conditions except very cold temps.

[Palangi]

FWIW, RLeo has the only 123 with ABS I have ever seen. He bought it with a bum engine and borrowed the 5 speed out of it, so I don't think he ever got it roadworthy.

[JimmyL]

First, ABS works super in todays cars. No amount of brake pumping by a driver can simulate what an ABS systems does. Not even worth debating.
However, the ABS system of this time period, IE: early 80's I'm sure is less effective/sophisticated. But, adding this system I believe would be a very large endeavor. Hardware and electrical would be quite an undertaking.

[Chad300tdt]

Originally Posted by JimmyL

First, ABS works super in todays cars. No amount of brake pumping by a driver can simulate what an ABS systems does. Not even worth debating.
However, the ABS system of this time period, IE: early 80's I'm sure is less effective/sophisticated. But, adding this system I believe would be a very large endeavor. Hardware and electrical would be quite an undertaking.

I certainly wasn't suggesting that my leg can pump as fast as ABS. No arguments from me.

BTW, I'm just about completely talked out of it now.

[Hatterasguy]

Originally Posted by JimmyL

First, ABS works super in todays cars. No amount of brake pumping by a driver can simulate what an ABS systems does. Not even worth debating.
However, the ABS system of this time period, IE: early 80's I'm sure is less effective/sophisticated. But, adding this system I believe would be a very large endeavor. Hardware and electrical would be quite an undertaking.

Oh yeah, a modern ABS system works faster than the human brain, and will out perform one of us all day long.


Even Michael Schumacher's F1 car had traction aid's because the computer can do things faster than we can. I highly doubt anyone on this forum is a better driver than Schumacher....

Upgrade to 2nd gen W126 brakes and some 16in sticky tires. That way she should have enough grip to not really need it.

As much as I enjoy the macho I have hairy balls I don't need to stinkin computer thing...its nice in the rain...when you are probably not paying attention and go just a bit to fast...the triangle pops up on the speedo, you feel the brakes and engine working, and your back going straight. It goes from an "Oh my God steer, tree, pole, curb!" to "my bad, better slow down"

As much as wild Tokyo drift style driving is fun, I don't want or need that on a daily basis. ESP, ASR, and whatever else they have does a fine job, without all the cool sliding and antics though!

[remotemark]

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

My reason for thinking of it in the first place is that the route my wife takes to work is unusually slick when it rains and the roadway holds a lot of puddles. This road has cars traveling at 60+ MPH, so the ABS has been activated in the Acura MANY times.

Sounds like she must work on Roosevelt Boulevard.

[pizzachef]

Originally Posted by remotemark

Sounds like she must work on Roosevelt Boulevard.

I'm working in Philly right now...actually, about to be done...but I keep hearing about people (PEDESTRIANS!! ) getting run over on that street. They've gotta do something there.

[jkoebel]

I don't think I've driven a car with ABS until I bought my Odyssey a couple days ago. Neither of my Civics, my CR-V, or my W123 had it.

[SwampYankee]

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

I've been thinking about how I'd like to do a brake upgrade on our upcoming 1985 300CD so it has ABS. It's to be my wife's daily driver and I'd like to feel safer about her commute.

Has anyone actually done this upgrade? Can you point out any issues that need to be kept in mind or parts needed that might not seem like common sense to have on hand?

Chad, I thoroughly expect you to do it and give us a pictorial step-by-step account.

[Johnhef]

Two of my older cars, my 84 wagon and 83 SEC came with ABS. I wouldnt want to attempt a swap myself, it would be a pain and a lot of work. Wheel speed sensors, the abs pump, control unit, associated wiring, abs rotors, rear differential etc would all need to be swapped.

It would be easier to just buy another euro 123 with ABS or find a cheap 300E with it if you want her to feel safer.

[Chad300tdt]

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

Chad, I thoroughly expect you to do it and give us a pictorial step-by-step account.

Sorry Swamp, looks like John smacked the last of my desire to do this out of me.

Originally Posted by Johnhef

Two of my older cars, my 84 wagon and 83 SEC came with ABS. I wouldnt want to attempt a swap myself, it would be a pain and a lot of work. Wheel speed sensors, the abs pump, control unit, associated wiring, abs rotors, rear differential etc would all need to be swapped.

It would be easier to just buy another euro 123 with ABS or find a cheap 300E with it if you want her to feel safer.

I never would have thought the rear diff. would need to be swapped too. I wasn't expecting to rebuild the whole car for ABS. I'm glad I asked the experts from the forum. Thanks for the answer John ... thanks for everyone's input.