JimPap

One of the differences in the 08 and 09 W204s is that the 09 has a smoother ride.

Since I've always felt that the ride was a bit too firm in my 08, I was wondering what MB did to make the ride better in the 09. Different tires, different springs, etc.????

I'm hoping that its in the tires as I can look forward to changing them in about another year.

ml3500

the firmer the better

akbro93704

Did you compare the two, '08 and '09? Both sport models? I didnt think there were any suspension changes for '09. They also use the same two tires on the '09's as they do on the '08's, Continental ContiProContacts or Michelin Pilot HX MXM4. The Continentals should ride smoother.

Carsy

I knocked back buying the 08 C Class with the 45 profile tyres as the ride was too harsh for me. When I drove it with the 55 profile tyres it was acceptable just. I am quite surprised how short the wheel travel is in the C Class compared with Peugeots . There are only about 3 coils to the spring!!

JimPap

akbro,

I've not actually test drove the 09 to verify what I have read.

But thanks for the heads up on the Continentals. That might be the answer.

Blk04cobra1

To my knowledge they did not change anything on the suspension year over year. Obviously if you drove a 300 with 17's versus the 18's, the ride could be slightly softer with the 17's.

C300PO

I have a late model '08 C300 and I was just last night commenting on how incredibly smooth the ride is with the stock 17's with Conti's. I come from the Lexus world so I am used to smooth riding cars and my C300 rivals my Lexus experience. My C-Class is a very smooth ride for its size and especially for what I paid for it. Couldn't be happier with its outstanding combination of rigid build quilty, tight handling and luxuriously smooth ride. Best in class combining all three attributes IMO.

JimPap

Blk04cobra1,
I'm on stock 17".

C300PO,
I'm wondering if MB may have made a change during the model year to soften the ride a bit. For that matter, the system that softens the ride when driving in a straight line at higher speeds may have been modified. Just don't know.

In any case, its sounding like the Conti's may be part of the answer.

Can you post which Conti's and what sizes.

C300PO

my C300 Sport is a March '08 build. It came with the standard 17's on Conti ProContact Sport 2's 225/45 front and 245/40 rear IIRC. My SA told me there are several "smoother riding" tires than the Conti's my car came with but so far (8000+ miles) they have been suprisingly pretty darn smooth.

shag

They might have tweaked the Agility Control suspension for a smoother ride and more subtle adjustments.

JimPap

****,

That's what I'm wondering too.

Is there any way to find out for sure and if it was changed, I wonder if a firmware update is possible.

jstaneff

Somehow I doubt that the suspension suffers from the use of "firmware." Methinks it's entirely mechanical.

JimPap

I would like to agree with you, but how would the suspension know that you're traveling at a certain speed in a straight line? That's only a retorical question as it can be achieved in methods other than ones that are computer driven.

JimPap

I thought I'd research any differences between the Michelin tires and the Continentals that MB is using on the C300s.

Using Tirerack.com as my resource, it appears that the Continentals are rated as quieter and softer riding. What was a bit surprising is that it looks like not many would rebuy the Michelins.

Bottom line is I wait for my patience to run out or for the Michelins to wear out to replace them with the Continentals.

wblynch

My 2008 C-350 Sport has smoothed out tremendously now that it's got over 8,000 miles on it.

When new, I was angry that the seats were hard as rocks and the suspension jarred my bones on Southern California freeways with their expansion joints.

Now, with some time in the saddle and many cycles on the springs, the car is becoming a delight.

It's not just because I've grown used to the car either. Infrequent passengers have also commented and asked if I had it attended to.

I believe that quality machinery requires good break in before it reaches its potential.

It is now almost equal in ride to my wife's 2004 C-240 Wagon.

Of course much more power though !!