Vik888

Does the E550 sit lower than the E350 if the E550's suspension is set to the lowest possible setting?

Both cars are assumed to have either the 321 or 333 Sports Package. I know they both sit lower than the non-sport versions, but what about versus each other?

Diesel Benz

Yes, the E550 would be a bit lower than the E350 even if the E350 had the sports package. This is not clear from the current user manual where you can find the car height, which correlates 100% to ground clearance.

The cars are probably designed to approximately same ground clearance at full load but because of Airmatic on the E550 with self leveling, it would not need to sit as high as the steel spring based E350. If the E350 was equipped with Airmatic (I guess not available in the US but it is available for E350 in Europe), both cars would have the same ground clearance.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w211...wd-2006-a.html

Vik888

In the U.S. the E350 cannot be ordered with Airmatic.

I've ordered an E550 w/ the AMG Sports Pkg. I would like it just a little lower than the E350, so I was curious if I could achieve this by setting the car to the lowest position. I think you've answered my question, so I'm happy

Thanks!

emilner

I have noticed when coming to a stop after going 65-70mph my car raises an inch or so. I am guessing this is some form of lowering that occures with speed and then raises back up for normal driving. My car is definately lower than a regular E350 non-sport.

Diesel Benz

I found a pdf copy of the old user manual page that indicates the car height for the different suspension options. You can see that the sports suspension and the Airmatic sit at about the same height, Airmatic just a bit lower.

I'm not sure but my understanding is that these figures are for Airmatic in the normal level setting. From this one would be able to lower the car or raise it with the Airmatic controls. Airmatic does lower the car automatically at high speed (if the lowered setting was not manually selected). This should be explained in the manual.

emilner

In my understanding you cannot lower the vehicle, only raise it from the normal position. It seems to only lower with speed...

cyclerider

Correct. It lowers 10 mm in Comfort mode, and 15 mm in either Sport mode at approximately 68 mph, and raises again when you slow down.

Vik888

But the bottom line is, with the E550 set to the lowest mode vs. the E350 .. both w/ AMG Sports Pkg, the E550 sits lower. Thats what I've taken away from all of this .. and I hope I'm right. The thread seems to get more confusing daily

Diesel Benz

I do agree with your conclusion, don't know about the confusion, perhaps cars are different from different MY but at least mine lowers even when stationary when sports I or II setting is selected. Easy to detect if you watch after the car carefully. It takes a bit of time before the car starts to adjust.

NYCAVS

What effect does the exact height (suspension?) have? I understand that the sport is lower... but what does it translate into for driving experience.... FWIW I have an 08 E350 Non-sport on order (delivery Oct).

silberrosa

The E350 with sport (steel springs) may actually sit lower than the E550 (airmatic std). My understanding is as follows. The E350 sport includes shorter springs, therefore the lower ride height. The E550, with its variable settings (airmatic), will sit slightly higher at a stop but perhaps lower at speed. In other words, if the cars are static, the 350 sport may be lower. You would have to look at the 2 side by side to be certain.

NA55

I noticed that the E350 w/ Sport Package seem to be lower than my E550 w/ Sport Package.. I was wondering about this...

So the E350 has a spring based suspension?.. I guess they are more prone to sagging..