Softening C300 Sport 4MATIC Drive Quality
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
2013 C300 Sport 4MATIC
Softening C300 Sport 4MATIC Drive Quality
Hi there,
I've poked around the forums for a solid answer on this, but I purchased a '13 C300 Sport that is otherwise a fantastic vehicle, but I was interested in "softening" the feel of the ride. Specifically, the weight of the steering (feels a little on the heavier side) and the abruptness of the suspension. (Yes, I should of bought the Luxury version but here we are)
Tires? Springs? Struts? I'm currently running Hankook Ventus V2 Concept2 17's. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!
I've poked around the forums for a solid answer on this, but I purchased a '13 C300 Sport that is otherwise a fantastic vehicle, but I was interested in "softening" the feel of the ride. Specifically, the weight of the steering (feels a little on the heavier side) and the abruptness of the suspension. (Yes, I should of bought the Luxury version but here we are)
Tires? Springs? Struts? I'm currently running Hankook Ventus V2 Concept2 17's. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,346
Likes: 692
2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
No experience with that particular Hankook tire on the C250, but Hankooks rode much stiffer on the 2005 ML350.
Without changing anything, the softest riding tire would probably be Continental Pro Contact, which is OE on the luxury model.
Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 are much softer than most sport tires and they lighten the steering.
Suggest you buy at a retailer that lets you return tires for another set if you don’t like the ones you bought.
Without changing anything, the softest riding tire would probably be Continental Pro Contact, which is OE on the luxury model.
Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 are much softer than most sport tires and they lighten the steering.
Suggest you buy at a retailer that lets you return tires for another set if you don’t like the ones you bought.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 882
Likes: 159
S204 C250 CDI Sport
It shouldn't be that bad especially on 17's as W204 have dual rate dampers developed by Bilstein for Mercedes .
https://workshop.bilstein.com/en/wit...-intelligence/
https://workshop.bilstein.com/en/wit...-intelligence/
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 271
'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
Hi there,
I've poked around the forums for a solid answer on this, but I purchased a '13 C300 Sport that is otherwise a fantastic vehicle, but I was interested in "softening" the feel of the ride. Specifically, the weight of the steering (feels a little on the heavier side) and the abruptness of the suspension. (Yes, I should of bought the Luxury version but here we are)
Tires? Springs? Struts? I'm currently running Hankook Ventus V2 Concept2 17's. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!
I've poked around the forums for a solid answer on this, but I purchased a '13 C300 Sport that is otherwise a fantastic vehicle, but I was interested in "softening" the feel of the ride. Specifically, the weight of the steering (feels a little on the heavier side) and the abruptness of the suspension. (Yes, I should of bought the Luxury version but here we are)
Tires? Springs? Struts? I'm currently running Hankook Ventus V2 Concept2 17's. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!
Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 142
Likes: 26
Go with 17" on Michelins MXM4 then watch those tire pressures. The sport suspension of the W204 is great even with 18" you just need to watch the tire pressure and the type of tire. No point of going super sport on the tires as it is not a AMG. If you don't hear any clunking noises or leaks on the struts you don't need any suspension upgrades just enjoy the ride.
To OP, what this is often referred-to is 'Minus 1' sizing. You go down 1" on wheel diameter, but keep overall circumference by using a taller/higher aspect ratio tire. Some place like Tire Rack can help. Also, say you have factory 18s, it likely won't be too much trouble finding someone with factor 17s that would want to make a deal.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,346
Likes: 692
2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
2013 C300 Sport 4MATIC
So my plan currently is either the Michelins MXM4 as suggested or possibly the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06. Any thoughts on the Conti's vs the MXM4's for cushy ride quality?
After that, possibly install some Koni FSDs shocks if its not a reasonable improvement.
Thanks again!
After that, possibly install some Koni FSDs shocks if its not a reasonable improvement.
Thanks again!
Member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 225
Likes: 21
From: Mid-Atlantic USA
2014 C250 Luxury
The Hankooks you have now are a "high performance all-season" tire, according to Tire Rack's categorizations. IMO, if you really want to improve the ride quality, you should bump down a level of performance to a "grand touring all-season" tire. A tire that is H-rated (rather than V or Z) is generally going to be a softer tire than a tire with a higher speed rating.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
2013 C300 Sport 4MATIC
The Hankooks you have now are a "high performance all-season" tire, according to Tire Rack's categorizations. IMO, if you really want to improve the ride quality, you should bump down a level of performance to a "grand touring all-season" tire. A tire that is H-rated (rather than V or Z) is generally going to be a softer tire than a tire with a higher speed rating.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 271
'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
So my plan currently is either the Michelins MXM4 as suggested or possibly the Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06. Any thoughts on the Conti's vs the MXM4's for cushy ride quality?
After that, possibly install some Koni FSDs shocks if its not a reasonable improvement.
Thanks again!
After that, possibly install some Koni FSDs shocks if its not a reasonable improvement.
Thanks again!
Do not bother changing shocks. Do not waste money. If for some reason you will change em go with Blistein B4s. The W204 sport is meant to ride a little stiff. Only way to go cushy is to replace the springs and struts for the luxury setup but that brings the car higher and you will see those big fender gaps.
Last edited by shotgun_banjo; Aug 12, 2022 at 04:06 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
2013 C300 Sport 4MATIC
Hey there, thanks for the reply. And yeah, make sense. When you say "big fender gaps" do you mean sort of how the newer C300's look? That large gap between wheel and frame?
And tire rack says the MXM4's don't fit my 2013 C300 Sport--is that just because of the staggered configuration/me putting something in wrong?
Thanks again!
And tire rack says the MXM4's don't fit my 2013 C300 Sport--is that just because of the staggered configuration/me putting something in wrong?
Thanks again!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,346
Likes: 692
2021 GLB250 FWD, 2023 GLA250 FWD, 2013 C250, 2015 GLK350, 2005 ML350SE, 2003 E320
Everyone has their favorites, but there are a lot of tires that do best in a specific job, whether it's comfort, wet traction, mileage, economy, cornering. Happy hunting!
