Anyone own the W204 luxury model?

If so, what are your thoughts on the suspension? Too soft, too hard, just right? etc.

I've decided I'm keeping my W204 and I don't mind dropping $2500 or so to swap out my sports suspension for the lux.

I've heard people say that it's not a big difference b/w the two or that it's night and day, etc - but I don't seem to recall reading any comments from people who actively post on this board, so thought I'd start the thread.

I've investigated air suspension options and quite frankly it's not really feasible without electrical modifications or losing the spare tire. Bilstein and others make shocks and such that are about the same hardness/firmness as the W204 sport (or firmer). I can't seem to find an aftermarket system or parts that are on the softer side so I think i'm relegated to swapping out suspension parts from the luxury version

Note: I am not a suspension guru by any means. I know what a strut is, but have no idea what a coilover etc is. Just a headsup. I think I know what I don't know but I don't know more things than I know when it comes to suspension parts.

 

I have the luxury model and I've driven a loaner sport model. I can definitely feel the difference. It's definitely softer or "bouncier". It feels like the sport version has a shorter travel in terms of the up and down motion.
It's definitely noticeable. I prefer the softer, but like the lower profile of the car from the sport model.

Is it worth changing to softer suspension? In my opinion, no. Unless you need new ones and want a softer ride.

Coilovers allow you to adjust the spring height, etc. That way you can ride firmer if you want, for example if you're going to take it to the track lol and also be able to revert back to softer for comfort.

 

Fantastic - thanks for this. Any suggestion on which coilovers to buy?

 

Don't quote me on this but I believe 95Sinned420 is correct in that the "LUX" model sits higher than the "SPORT" model. I vaguely recall seeing the LUX models having more of a wheel gap than the sport ones.

ALTERNATIVELY, before you start changing suspension components, have you considered going down to 17s with larger sidewalls? Some folks even use 16s with winter tires.

 

You're right, the lux model does sit higher - this is the same even for the new E class whereby sport suspension is "lowered".

I haven't tried changing rims because after you buy 16" rims and new tires, you're spending around the same as just swapping out shocks (I won't buy replicas). I've heard this suggestion but I haven't paid much attention to it.

I do know there is a 2010 C300 with the lux model and 16" rims at a used car dealership nearby. I will eventually find time to go and drive it and give it a feeler! I think that's probably the best course of action.

I'm already running Primacy MXM4s which are comfortable tires and i'm running 29 PSI front and 34 psi rear (one psi higher in both front and back than the minimum that I can run safely as per MB (I've posted the PDF on this before)

 

Yes, the Luxury sits higher and thus more wheel gap. That's why I prefer the lowered look from the sport version.

I dont have any personal experience with coilovers so I don't have any recommendations. My only suggestion is to go with a reputable brand.

 

yep sport is lower

why don't you just test drive a lux? ._.

 

Yup, that's already in the plans as per my post above

 

The Luxury trim has an overall height of 56.9" whereas the Sport trim has a 56.3". The 0.6" difference is from the suspension.

 

Don't forget that the lux also does not have the off set the sport does in the rear. If I remember correctly, the wheel base is wider in the rear on the sport. Not sure how this would effect the change to a lux suspension.


I drive a 2013 lux and test drove both versions. I preferred the lux ride.

 

Maybe this is in part of the staggered wheel setup the sport has. I think the LUX models run square, even if RWD.

 

Aren't w204 c200 16" rims wrapped in 205/55/16 tires? Perhaps sell yours, source a set of those and achieve a softer ride due to the increased sidewall...while putting a bit of coin in your pocket.

 

My 2011 lux model sits on 225/45/17 tires all around.

 

In europe they are 205's, my uncle had one. Lol so thin

 

Thanks for bringing this up. This is a good point. I wonder what happens if I change to a lux suspension setup and then run staggered? I don't think it's a big deal because my winter setup is the same all around, and it's not like I need to do anything to the car anyways...

 

This is totally subjective ... and coming from a former Lexus owner.

I have a 2014 C350 sport sedan (with the 18" AMGs) and don't like the ride at all. It bounces and shakes on nearly all type of road surfaces and it's just plain distracting (my wife said "I thought a Mercedes was a luxury car"). I had driven a C250 and a C300 model before buying it car and was really surprised how much different the ride turned out to be.

That said, I just put in Koni FSDs, and the ride is now much more civilized. The bouncing in particular has gone away. I'm thinking next about 17" wheels and tires, and I think that would strike a very nice balance of handling, ride and responsiveness without all the distraction.

I would definitely test drive a sport sedan before making a purchase decision to see how it works for you.

 

Thanks all

Drove a W204 luxury model and wasn't wowed at the difference so I won't be swapping the shocks over.

Thought it would be night and day but it was not.

 

Before I decided to buy the sport version, I test drove Lux first very briefly just around couple of blocks. A week later I test drove sport version, and could not tell the difference. It could be I didn't test the second right after the first.

I'd prefer Lux because I can rotate tires, and possibly have less front bumper underneath scratch.

Only reason I bough sport is my daughter does not like the MB ornament standing upwards on the hood.

 

I drove the Lux and Sport model, one after the other, at the dealership and just like you said, not that big of a difference.

The Sport model felt more solid. The luxury had a bit more travel, which soaks up bumps a bit better at the cost of feeling bouncy