Has anyone added ABS to their w123? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Chad300tdt · #1 09-07-2008, 10:47 AM

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 · #2 09-07-2008, 11:06 AM

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 · #3 09-07-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

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 · #4 09-07-2008, 01:20 PM

Quote:

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 · #5 09-07-2008, 01:39 PM

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 · #6 09-07-2008, 01:57 PM

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 · #7 09-07-2008, 01:59 PM

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 · #8 09-07-2008, 02:04 PM

Quote:

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.

pizzachef · #9 09-07-2008, 02:12 PM

You can check it out in my wagon at the GTG

Chad300tdt · #10 09-07-2008, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pizzachef

You can check it out in my wagon at the GTG

Cool.

Was it stock or a later upgrade?

pizzachef · #11 09-07-2008, 02:31 PM

I'm pretty sure its stock. And there's not much to it...a computer in the passenger kick panel (where the EGR computer is supposed to be...don't know where the EGR brain is...) and a box with the solenoid doodads in the engine bay. And wheel sensors. Works great. I've tried it out in the snow.

Chad300tdt · #12 09-07-2008, 02:45 PM

Run your VIN# through the Russian site and see if it shows up.

http://old.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng

JimmyL · #13 09-07-2008, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

Cool.

Was it stock or a later upgrade?

His sig states his wagon is a Euro, where this was a more popular option, so I'm sure it's stock. I'm not sure it was even allowed here as an option at that time???

jkoebel · #14 09-07-2008, 02:53 PM

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 · #15 09-07-2008, 03:23 PM

Quote:

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.