Soften up the ride
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Soften up the ride
Has anyone been successful in making the ride less taut? I know this is not the usual route, but I am moving closer to the city (potholes), and it is no fun constantly dodging them. Love the car, but will sell unless I can get a more comfortable ride. Lower tire pressure, smaller wheels I understand is only a partial solution. I suppose the cure is new springs and shocks? Anyone go this route? Thanks.
#2
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2014 E550 Cabriolet, 2014 Porsche Cayenne Diesel
I blame the low profile tires and mediocre tuning of the chassis. I don't think the car warrants such low profile tires, they are clearly there for appearance, not function. I do agree, the ride on rough surfaces is pretty tough, but it's more the fear of blowing a tire, than the actual ride that bothers me. I do like the highway ride, and pavement imperfections at higher speeds seems to be less of an issue. THis really doesn't help you, but does validate your thoughts on the ride.
#3
Super Member
Agreed ,I liken the ride in my E350 coupe to a smaller SUV...since it toggle between NY and NJ,I'm faced with unkept roads on a regular basis.....I'm wondering is there a standard fix to smoothen the ride of this car??
#4
Senior Member
get the smallest diameter wheel possible and a larger diameter sidewall on the tire. if you are driving where you know there will be potholes why run the risk of ruining your stock wheels.
#5
Super Member
In addition to the other suggestions above, do a little research on "Touring" tires available in your car's sizes. The UHP tires considered OEM for these cars generally ride stiffer.
Michelin is always a good place to start. Mercedes at one point had the Michelin Primacy MXV4 Touring tires (NOT the MXM Sport) as a no-cost option to replace the standard harder-riding Pirelli P Zero Nero UHP tires when ordering a new car for those wanting a more forgiving ride and who didn't mind sacrificing a little sharpness in handling, but I'm not sure that Michelin model is still available in the size you need. They do have newer touring models available in the E Coupe/Cab sizes, but I don't know how they affect the ride quality.
FWIW, before I ordered my 2012, after a lengthy search I managed to find and drive an E coupe with the OEM 17" wheels and Continental tires and the slightly higher non-sport suspension. It did improve the ride somewhat. But I simply could not stand the way the car looked.
I knew I was in for a bumpy ride but I sprung for the whole AMG sport package with the larger wheels, lower suspension, stiffer springs, etc. Five years later I have gotten used to the harsher ride in and around the terrible suburban Philly roads except for the very worst ones. And I still love looking at the car as much as I did when I first picked it up at the dealer.
Good looks nearly always win out over brains (and kidneys).
Michelin is always a good place to start. Mercedes at one point had the Michelin Primacy MXV4 Touring tires (NOT the MXM Sport) as a no-cost option to replace the standard harder-riding Pirelli P Zero Nero UHP tires when ordering a new car for those wanting a more forgiving ride and who didn't mind sacrificing a little sharpness in handling, but I'm not sure that Michelin model is still available in the size you need. They do have newer touring models available in the E Coupe/Cab sizes, but I don't know how they affect the ride quality.
FWIW, before I ordered my 2012, after a lengthy search I managed to find and drive an E coupe with the OEM 17" wheels and Continental tires and the slightly higher non-sport suspension. It did improve the ride somewhat. But I simply could not stand the way the car looked.
I knew I was in for a bumpy ride but I sprung for the whole AMG sport package with the larger wheels, lower suspension, stiffer springs, etc. Five years later I have gotten used to the harsher ride in and around the terrible suburban Philly roads except for the very worst ones. And I still love looking at the car as much as I did when I first picked it up at the dealer.
Good looks nearly always win out over brains (and kidneys).
#6
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2014 E550 Cabriolet, 2014 Porsche Cayenne Diesel
So true . As soon as the salesman pulled the car around for a test drive, I was done. Not sure anything else mattered after seeing the car. I have never owned a car (have owned Jags, BMWs, Porsche) that attracts so many compliments. Just yesterday, a couple pulled in next to my car in a mint '76 450SL, and were gushing over my E550 Cab.
In the 550, our brakes are larger diameter, so not sure a 17" wheel will fit.
In the 550, our brakes are larger diameter, so not sure a 17" wheel will fit.