LEFAT1

I've only had luxury models in the past and realize there are 9 to 1 sport to luxury out there. I'm looking for a 2013-2014 C300 or C250 and wanted opinions on the ride difference. My 2003 E320 rode great and wouldnt want to sacrifice it for a little better handling...

djejglk

Well, to start with, the E is already "smoother" than the C. Add the sport suspension on top of that, and it may be a little rough for you. I have a sport, and wish that the suspension was a touch softer. I bought a mercedes for ride quality vs driving dynamics, but others will have opinions I'm sure.

Sportstick

Based on your comments, you definitely want to find a Luxury model. We have both an E and a C sport and the Lux is the only C which has a chance of coming close to the feeling of your older E. Even so, you may still wish to change the tires to Michelin Primacy MXM4 for a smoother "grand touring" ride.

abqhudson

We bought a 2013 C300 Sport after 2005 CLK Convertible with Sport. The 2013 is much stiffer than the 2005. Wish we had purchased the LUX version. YMMV.

w204_Generic

Keep in mind, the luxury model does not have the lowered 0.75 inch front end, like the sport model.

95_993

The sport is definitely firm. Consideration should be given to the type of roads and condition. I love the sport suspension on the highway and when the road conditions are nice. However, it can be a little tiresome on the crappy roads full of craters we have in NE right now.

2nice4me

I have a 2011 C300 and 2011 E350, both sport, and I prefer the steering of the C better over the E.

I catch myself thinking, "hmm that steering is too light".

Sportstick

All MB steering is highly boosted, even if some more than others. But, that doesn't affect the ride quality the OP is asking about.

Khan28

The steering is one thing to ignore in an MB because it will always be too light and somewhat vague but be a pleasure in tight parking because I can turn it with my palm so easily.

Rodpwnz

At first I thought this was a curse with my C class, overtime I've actually kinda grown accustomed to it. I took my brother's 335i out to run some errands and it was surprisingly tough to park one handed. Maybe wrapping my wheel and making it thicker will give it better feel.

abqhudson

I agree.

JPc300

I have a c300 luxury model and IMHO for being a Mercedes, as far as comfort I don't hate it but it did not meet my expectations (I can feel every bump on the road). My wife Tiguan is way smoother over bumps the my C. Now the handling and power makes up for it.

Trancebolt

SO what if you can feel every bump on the road? Speak of your tire health and choice. ALso, the roads are f'ed up people. Lets be real. Germans dont have as f'ed up of roads as us to test cars on.

THe only difference in ride is the Lux is .5 inch lower. Look it up. ITs on msn autos, aol autos, edmunds. The car is identical basically. Ive had a 09 sport and a 10 luxury right now C, and an 08/09 e class at the same time few years ago, and my dad has a regular 2013 E350 and a bluetec 2009 before.

C sport and luxury are damn near identical; i thought there was a larger difference than there is when I first drove the luxury. But after research and a year of driving it, just after the sport went away( lease, i own the luxury) It turned out to be the same torque/type of suspension/drivetrain whatever you want to call it.

THe car is simply like.... 53.9 versus 53.2 height difference. I lost the actual statistic, but it makes a hell of a difference.

ANd i put ALOT of miles on my car. I put 30 k on this luxury the first year. Over 90 on my c for three years

SO Ive put it through the ringer. In every fashion.

THe Luxury does feel more buttery and could make passengers carsick. Sport is lower, even if just by a bit, so you feel the road more. The body does roll less, and i PERSONALLY prefer the sport suspension, and the luxury look/feel more.

Sportstick

Differences from Sport to Luxury not reported on the sites you mentioned are spring rates and antisway bar thickness, both of which trade off ride comfort for handling. Additional information I do not have is bushing durometer which could also have an effect.

Trancebolt

THat is quite interesting sir.
That makes sense too; SO youre certain the sway bar thickness is different somewhat, and the spring rate could affect the softness of the ride?

That explains a bit more of why they feel so different, but still the overall car is similar enough that one could technically, knowing what you know, convert ones ride to match the other without replacing transmission etc. ?

Sportstick

We've had discussions here with owners of Sport models experiencing buyer's remorse over the ride quality, so this topic has been shared and considered. I learned more about the antisway bars, as I actually went the other way, and installed thicker Eibach bars front and rear in my car, which used a hard urethane bushing. The change in the car's behavior was quite striking, but wholly consistent with the goal of an even-"sportier", tighter handling car. While researching this mod before I did it, I was able to find the specs for the Lux vs Sport antisway bars, and found the difference, which would account for some of the difference in feel between them as originally equipped.

Regarding springs, and from my experience working for another auto manufacturer, there are a variety of spring rates used even within one model, no less across two models positioned differently as Sport vs. Lux. The reason for this is the different weights of vehicles depending on equipment. A base, no-options C250 will have a different spring spec than a loaded 4MATIC C300, even if both are Sport, as there needs to be compensation for the sprung weight of the vehicle. It is not uncommon for these springs to be identified with a small dab of a distinct color paint on one of the coils. In chassis assembly, multiple variations of springs are either sequenced for operator installation, or in older days, were selected by the assembly line operator based on the information for each car as it reached that station.

The struts/shocks between Sport and Lux are the same spec, from the data I found. If one replaces them with a Bilstein B4 OE spec equivalent, for example, the part numbers are the same for both models.

For those who wish a softer ride, assuming they already have 17" wheels, not 18"+, the first step is a more compliant tire than the harder rubber OE tires manufacturers use to reduce rolling resistance and gain higher CAFE fuel economy ratings. Michelin MXM4 are notable Grand Touring tires for that objective. Then, one could change springs and antisway bars for more compliance, however, this does start to pile on costs.

There is nothing involving the engine/transmission which affects ride.

2012c350

You say that the suspensions are the same (which they're not), and then you say you like the feel of one suspension over the other.

Trancebolt

as far as the published research in multiple places i looked; most of the entirety of the suspension is the same.

however, now that SportStick actualy made a useful reply, i am corrected.
There are small (yet important) differences ABOUT The system. that doesnt mean its a totally different one to a laymen's understanding, based on internet research. (obviously nothing to be held at any high regard)

I do like the sports feel better; and i also said even though what i found online reported same pieces, it feels different.
quote out of context better m8

rmorin49

Deleted.

cvx5832

Not sure why you're asking this on the C forum of 2 generations ago, on a thread from when Obama was President.

rmorin49

Sorry, my mistake. Will delete.