Airmatic vs steel springs
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 787
Likes: 110
From: BNE, Australia
W205 C250BT
Airmatic vs steel springs
Can those who have driven a W205 with standard and Airmatic please offer some real life reviews/thoughts on the the two suspensions.
I've got my C250 on order with standard springs but the more I read, the more I'm on the fence on whether to change the order and add Airmatic. Now is probably the last chance I get to change things. The main attribute I'm after in the car is comfort - not so much sporty firmness. So the main question I have - is Airmatic noticeably nicer on the comfort scale than standard? It's starting to do my head in because I couldn't find a dealer who had a car with Airmatic to test drive! Aaaargh...
I've got my C250 on order with standard springs but the more I read, the more I'm on the fence on whether to change the order and add Airmatic. Now is probably the last chance I get to change things. The main attribute I'm after in the car is comfort - not so much sporty firmness. So the main question I have - is Airmatic noticeably nicer on the comfort scale than standard? It's starting to do my head in because I couldn't find a dealer who had a car with Airmatic to test drive! Aaaargh...
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 562
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.
Road and Track said this in the C-class review. I haven't test driven an airmatic version so I'm not sure who to believe...
http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-revi...nz-c400-4matic
Airmatic air suspension is available as an option—but don’t be fooled into thinking the system gives a plusher ride. By using air springs, it means the C-Class won’t experience degradation in ride quality when it’s fully loaded.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 600
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From: Sunshine State
2015 C300 RWD
Haven driven all 4 variations of the C trying to decide. Air is the best, unless you drive on track or good roads, or have concerns about budget now or later. That said, there will be less expensive after market optons coming by the time warranty is out. There's some driving enthusiast purists that only like steel....some of the magazine reviews note this....and it's not bad at all in this car, just the variable air you should try if budget allows IMO. Buy which you like after testing. None of them are bad.
Last edited by floridadriver; Oct 9, 2014 at 02:50 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Belgium
C220 BlueTEC Estate #s205
I planned to add Airmatic option when I ordered my car but my dealer advised me not to take this option because he encountered a lot of problems with other customers and repairs are very expensive.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 360
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From: Scarborough, Ontario
2020 CLA 250 4Matic Black
I am very happy with the Airmatic on my C300. You definitely get a smoother ride when compared to the metal springs. With the sports package being so low, the continuous dampening certainly softens up the ride. On the highway you definitely feel like you are in a luxury sedan in comfort mode. The road thumps are more low bass sounding and tighter.
The best way is to test drive with and without.
I understand that down the road the maintenance cost can be high when the warranty runs out.
The best way is to test drive with and without.
I understand that down the road the maintenance cost can be high when the warranty runs out.
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 787
Likes: 110
From: BNE, Australia
W205 C250BT
Centenary MB McGreggor is who I went through. Delivery is supposed to be mid January. Asked about accuracy of those estimates again yesterday and he said MB Oz were meeting their targets in terms of dates.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 281
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From: Los Angeles
2019 C43 AMG, 2017 Porsche Macan S, 2017 Mazda 3 HB
I've driven the CLS 550 with airmatic and just really could not go back to the standard "sports" suspensions that Mercedes throws in cars like the CLA/C Class. The ability to control different feels is amazing and it corners like no other in sports mode.
And of course, when mom's in the car, we're back to comfort and soft suspension.
And of course, when mom's in the car, we're back to comfort and soft suspension.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: In a box
2019 C43 Sedan and 2020 Volvo V60 CC
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 288
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From: SoCal
Porsche 981 CS, C450, 3000GT VR4
Are C400 cars equipped with Airmatics in sport/sport+ mode have a lowered ride/smaller wheel gap than cars equipped with just steel spring (which has the AMG sport package) ?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 787
Likes: 110
From: BNE, Australia
W205 C250BT
There's a video of the different ride heights under each mode (see below). I changed my order to add Airmatic after watching this.
Back in 80's I had a Citroen with hydraulic suspension that went up & down like that - man those things rode like a boat on 4 jam donuts. I'm thankful this will be nothing like that, but it's still cool to be able to adjust ride height.
Back in 80's I had a Citroen with hydraulic suspension that went up & down like that - man those things rode like a boat on 4 jam donuts. I'm thankful this will be nothing like that, but it's still cool to be able to adjust ride height.
Last edited by DBOC205; Oct 17, 2014 at 01:14 AM.
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Joined: May 2014
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E63s AMG
I recommend airmatic because you get the comfort and aggressive look when lowered with airmatic. You get the sportier look without having to compensate for the stiffer ride. You get best of both worlds. Also, you can raise the car during winter season where it snows a lot. My E is equipped with airmatic and loving it.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Mississauga, ON CA
15 Mercedes C400, 12 Mercedes C250 coupe
the real question is, will there be any modules or a way to go into STAR to set the lowest setting lower :P so you can dump the car on "sport"
