My 1998 S420 has ASR. My 1995 C280 has no ASD or ASR. What exactly is ASD? I know what ASR is, but is ASD a simplified version of ASR?
I want my 1995 C280 to have ASD. I love the car and would be willing to pay good money. How much and how complex is this? Thank you.

Petra

ASD is short for Automatisches Sperrdifferential or Automatic Locking Differential. It's an older form of traction control introduced in the late 80's by MB. I don't think it's available as a retro for the C. Trade the C for an M. :)

Kuan

How will I know for sure? What is involved in getting it? How extensive will it be?

I believe the C-class only comes with ASR or nothing.

It comes with ASD optional, and ASR is also optional. It says so in the manual. Thank you all very much

With ASD, both wheels will keep spinning if one wheel loses traction. With ASR, the brakes will engage on the wheel that loses traction thus allowing the wheel with traction to do its job. The ASR system is an enhancement of the braking system and requires a lot, I mean a lot of mods. For example, all your speed sensors need to be changed. I think your car has three, you will need four. You will need a whole new wiring harness to accomodate the extra idiot lights on the dash. You will need a whole new ABS/ASR control module. Okay you say your C doesn't have ASD? I bet you a buck it does. Still, get rid of the C, buy an M :)

Kuan

blackmercedes is offering some excellent advice. There has been so much hype surrounding front wheel drive cars being so fabulous. For those who know how to drive in snow or extreme maneuvers, a rear wheel drive car is superior. If this were not so, you can bet the farm that serious race cars would not be rear wheel drive.

The biggest advantage to front wheel drive is to the manufacturers. They have this nice, neat engine/transmission/axle package coming down the assembly line that they just drop right into an econobox. The car is very efficient as far as use of space for it's weight. Then the poor people that have to work on them go through h___ every time they have to open the hood for anything beyond checking the oil.

If you don't have performance driving/snow driving skills, drive a front wheel drive car.

The ASR intervenes constantly because it's the substitute for the locking or limited slip differential. It's there to stay. According to the literature, ESP is a totally different system which is used only for correcting extreme oversteer or understeer. No handbrake turns in a Mercedes... *wagging finger* :)

Kuan