When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I previously refused to ever use C mode in my cars. I found it ridiculous to limit your gears.
I still don't love it...I'm normally in sport.
However, I find driving around the neighborhoods, when you're going from stop sign to stop sign, just on a peaceful drive, I will pop it into C. This helps me roll off from the stop sign a bit more gently. Well, at least I found a use for it sometimes.
The C mode will very likely give better mpgs, when driven exactly like the EPA test run that determines rated mpg's. MB tunes for the test in C mode, and that's why it's the default mode at start-up. On the highway, steady 70+mph, with TC mostly locked, mpg's would be the same.
The manual discusses the gears, but it does not seem to mention what S does to the suspension (if anything)?
Thanks
Unless you have the Active Agility pack (~$2000) it does not affect the suspension. If you have the aforementioned package, there is a hydraulic system that adjusts the dampers when selecting sport mode.
Unless you have the Active Agility pack (~$2000) it does not affect the suspension. If you have the aforementioned package, there is a hydraulic system that adjusts the dampers when selecting sport mode.
I think AGILITY CONTROL is a built-in feature (at least for 2012 model), no? From the MBUSA.com web site, the feature list includes the following (not shown as optional):
" AGILITY CONTROL suspension
Engineered specifically for performance driving, AGILITY CONTROL automatically adjusts the individual shock absorbers based on the road surface and the driver's current driving style. Valving inside each shock absorber automatically firms up during stronger body motions for sharper handling feedback and stability, and reduces the damping rates during gentler motions for a smoother, more composed ride.
"
I have a '12 C300 Luxury with p1 package and I clearly feel the difference on ride quality between the E and S modes. The E mode gives a noticeable softer and more comfortable ride when at constant speed, while the S mode is typically harsher and a bit noisier. I have tested this quite a few times on the same route and the result is always the same.
The S mode does have the edge on acceleration (significantly) and on handling (marginally).
I think AGILITY CONTROL is a built-in feature (at least for 2012 model), no? From the MBUSA.com web site, the feature list includes the following (not shown as optional):
" AGILITY CONTROL suspension
Engineered specifically for performance driving, AGILITY CONTROL automatically adjusts the individual shock absorbers based on the road surface and the driver's current driving style. Valving inside each shock absorber automatically firms up during stronger body motions for sharper handling feedback and stability, and reduces the damping rates during gentler motions for a smoother, more composed ride.
"
I have a '12 C300 Luxury with p1 package and I clearly feel the difference on ride quality between the E and S modes. The E mode gives a noticeable softer and more comfortable ride when at constant speed, while the S mode is typically harsher and a bit noisier. I have tested this quite a few times on the same route and the result is always the same.
The S mode does have the edge on acceleration (significantly) and on handling (marginally).
If you don't have an M button then I'm not sure if you have the advanced control. See my link in my sig with the manual mode.
If you don't have an M button then I'm not sure if you have the advanced control. See my link in my sig with the manual mode.
My car dosesn't have the M button, but it seems to me that agility control suspension is a built-in feature for 2012 model. That's what my dealer told me (we can discount that), what mbusa.com shows, and what I have been experiencing.
My car dosesn't have the M button, but it seems to me that agility control suspension is a built-in feature for 2012 model. That's what my dealer told me (we can discount that), what mbusa.com shows, and what I have been experiencing.
Could be right I dunno, I was just saying this topic has been discussed sooooo many times and that has always been the easy way to tell. Agility Control has been around forever...McPherson Strut with Passive dampening....Advanced Agility Package = Active dampening, speed sensitive steering, M button, etc
I'm an Uber in Las Vegas I drive alot, here my take.
I get average 21-28 mpg in SPORT.
I get average 16-22 in COMFORT.
Reason I believe is the engine brake, if I'm going 65 and I let off the engine immediately starts slowing the car down to save brakes in Comfort, in SPORT mode the car doesn't engine brake. Even with cruise on I get a lot better mpg.
Comfort mode really isn't for COMFORT it's for Wet conditions, hence why it starts in 2nd, engine brakes, and shifts at a low rpm. The car was designed to be in Sport mode. Comfort mode makes your ride smoother but the car is all over the place around corners, sport mode you feel a lot more in control.
BTW the car uses ALL 7 GEARS IN BOTH MODES!
Comfort: Starts in 2nd (If you push the gas HARD enough it does start in 1st.)
Sport: uses ALL 7 GEARS (if you push gas even a little on highway it will shift to 6th because 7th has no power.
Comfort - loosens suspension, the tune changes for low rpm shifts, steering gets loose, starts in 2nd gear
Sport - Tighens suspension so you can feel the road, tune is optimized for aggressive DRIVING conditions, steering is tight, starts in 1st, Wide Open Throttle button behind gas pedal becomes active when pressed. (It's a GTFO button lol.)
I'm an Uber in Las Vegas I drive alot, here my take.
I get average 21-28 mpg in SPORT.
I get average 16-22 in COMFORT.
Reason I believe is the engine brake, if I'm going 65 and I let off the engine immediately starts slowing the car down to save brakes in Comfort, in SPORT mode the car doesn't engine brake. Even with cruise on I get a lot better mpg.
Comfort mode really isn't for COMFORT it's for Wet conditions, hence why it starts in 2nd, engine brakes, and shifts at a low rpm. The car was designed to be in Sport mode. Comfort mode makes your ride smoother but the car is all over the place around corners, sport mode you feel a lot more in control.
BTW the car uses ALL 7 GEARS IN BOTH MODES!
Comfort: Starts in 2nd (If you push the gas HARD enough it does start in 1st.)
Sport: uses ALL 7 GEARS (if you push gas even a little on highway it will shift to 6th because 7th has no power.
Comfort - loosens suspension, the tune changes for low rpm shifts, steering gets loose, starts in 2nd gear
Sport - Tighens suspension so you can feel the road, tune is optimized for aggressive DRIVING conditions, steering is tight, starts in 1st, Wide Open Throttle button behind gas pedal becomes active when pressed. (It's a GTFO button lol.)
I have a 2008 C350 Sport with 52k miles.
Suspension does not change with you hitting sport or comfort.
It makes sense sport gives you better MPG when you start because it gives you access to one more gear (1st gear). Beyond that who knows? If a car holds a gear for longer than it has to and you're just doodling around town, it makes sense that sport mode would use more gaz. However, if you're in start and go traffic, I can see how sport mode would save you fuel due to utilization of gear #1.
Suspension does not change with you hitting sport or comfort.
...
Not to get off tangent, but for most if not all W204s purchased off dealer lots I agree. HOWEVER...there are a few factory ordered W204s that have the Dynamic Handling Package which does (and I'm speaking from experience).
If you purchased your car used, a telltale sign whether you have it or not is the location of the SPORT mode button in the interior.
Example #1 (interior shots).
Notice sport mode button is on the dash, while the manual mode button is on the gear lever area.
Example #2 (engine bay)
Notice the control modules on top of each strut. These would be missing if you didn't have the adjustable package.
Looking at my records this package was...
Dynamic Handling Package (SPC) $1,530
with a "special order" fee of $250
...making it an additional $1780 option.
To this date, I can only recall 1 or 2 other W204s on this forum to actually have this package.
But seeing as though I can't find the DELETE button, Comfort mode will always yield a better MPG than Sports mode simply due to the fact that the SPORT mode holds the gears higher even when driven the same.
Not to get off tangent, but for most if not all W204s purchased off dealer lots I agree. HOWEVER...there are a few factory ordered W204s that have the Dynamic Handling Package which does (and I'm speaking from experience).
If you purchased your car used, a telltale sign whether you have it or not is the location of the SPORT mode button in the interior.
Example #1 (interior shots).
Notice sport mode button is on the dash, while the manual mode button is on the gear lever area.
Example #2 (engine bay)
Notice the control modules on top of each strut. These would be missing if you didn't have the adjustable package.
Looking at my records this package was...
Dynamic Handling Package (SPC) $1,530
with a "special order" fee of $250
...making it an additional $1780 option.
To this date, I can only recall 1 or 2 other W204s on this forum to actually have this package.
Well s***, I learned something new today!! Really cool, thanks for the info and correction!
06-05-2015, 12:36 PM
