FYI - Luxury drives very differently than Sport
02-12-2015, 08:49 AM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
2015 C300 Luxury
FYI - Luxury drives very differently than Sport
I had a day to test out a base "Sport" model. I own a Luxury C300 with standard steel suspension.
Both cars had 17" tires and were both set to 38PSI all around on tires.
The "Sport" (standard) model is:
- more stable ride overall
- tighter steering
- busier standard steel suspension
The "Luxury" package is:
- More wafty/cruiser
- Steering on "S" is closer to steering on Sport model's "C"
- Slightly more comfortable suspension
They actually feel very different back to back. The Sport model I could see being called a "Sport" sedan or "sporty". If you get the Luxury model, forget it, there isn't really a bit of sportiness to it. The Luxury model feels like you're driving a much softer car.
In either way, I have to say the Steel suspension both are pretty terrible. The worst part of this car (C300) is how badly other cars I've been excel in comfort, especially the Jaguar XF that I drove for about a month (a 2015 3.0 AWD model).
Both cars had 17" tires and were both set to 38PSI all around on tires.
The "Sport" (standard) model is:
- more stable ride overall
- tighter steering
- busier standard steel suspension
The "Luxury" package is:
- More wafty/cruiser
- Steering on "S" is closer to steering on Sport model's "C"
- Slightly more comfortable suspension
They actually feel very different back to back. The Sport model I could see being called a "Sport" sedan or "sporty". If you get the Luxury model, forget it, there isn't really a bit of sportiness to it. The Luxury model feels like you're driving a much softer car.
In either way, I have to say the Steel suspension both are pretty terrible. The worst part of this car (C300) is how badly other cars I've been excel in comfort, especially the Jaguar XF that I drove for about a month (a 2015 3.0 AWD model).
02-12-2015, 09:34 AM
#2
Super Member
Also, what do you find terrible about the w205 suspensions?
02-12-2015, 09:41 AM
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
2015 C300 Luxury
I would NOT recommend this car for example, to my dad... who values excellent ride quality and damping.
02-12-2015, 09:51 AM
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 0
Received 57 Likes
on
52 Posts
BMW e89 Z4 sDrive 35i & MB S205 C200 AMG Premium Plus
The problem here is weight. As cars get lighter, comfort gets harder to provide without handling going to the dogs.
02-12-2015, 10:45 AM
#5
Super Member
If you don't see how "The worst part of this car (C300) is how badly other cars I've been excel in comfort" could be confusing then you are right, it is probably best that you don't answer.
Also, to me "ride quality" can mean a lot of different things including precision and handling. I guess you mean that you want a more comfortable ride and I'll just leave it at that.
02-12-2015, 10:51 AM
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
I spent nearly three weeks with a C300 Luxury and didn't find the handling bad at all. Even with the 17" tires, it felt solid to me at all times. I didn't notice any great difference compared to my base with 18" tires.
The odd thing is that, when I got back into my own C300, I did feel a difference ... my car felt lighter and more nimble. Nothing I can put my finger on, but the feel of the two cars was very different. Even my wife, who is anything but a "motor head," commented on this.
I would also agree that the W205, with any of the steel suspension variants, does not offer a particularly soft ride. That's fine with me, but anyone expecting a cushy ride from these cars will be disappointed. I can't comment on Airmatic, which I've never driven.
The odd thing is that, when I got back into my own C300, I did feel a difference ... my car felt lighter and more nimble. Nothing I can put my finger on, but the feel of the two cars was very different. Even my wife, who is anything but a "motor head," commented on this.
I would also agree that the W205, with any of the steel suspension variants, does not offer a particularly soft ride. That's fine with me, but anyone expecting a cushy ride from these cars will be disappointed. I can't comment on Airmatic, which I've never driven.
02-12-2015, 02:03 PM
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
2015 C300 Luxury
I spent nearly three weeks with a C300 Luxury and didn't find the handling bad at all. Even with the 17" tires, it felt solid to me at all times. I didn't notice any great difference compared to my base with 18" tires.
The odd thing is that, when I got back into my own C300, I did feel a difference ... my car felt lighter and more nimble. Nothing I can put my finger on, but the feel of the two cars was very different. Even my wife, who is anything but a "motor head," commented on this.
I would also agree that the W205, with any of the steel suspension variants, does not offer a particularly soft ride. That's fine with me, but anyone expecting a cushy ride from these cars will be disappointed. I can't comment on Airmatic, which I've never driven.
The odd thing is that, when I got back into my own C300, I did feel a difference ... my car felt lighter and more nimble. Nothing I can put my finger on, but the feel of the two cars was very different. Even my wife, who is anything but a "motor head," commented on this.
I would also agree that the W205, with any of the steel suspension variants, does not offer a particularly soft ride. That's fine with me, but anyone expecting a cushy ride from these cars will be disappointed. I can't comment on Airmatic, which I've never driven.
Trending Topics
02-12-2015, 04:54 PM
#8
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
Posts: 1,351
Received 88 Likes
on
60 Posts
2024 GLS450
I had a W205 Luxury with 17" wheels and steel suspension for about a week a month ago. It made me fall in love with the W205 (where I previously was not a fan at all). The ride is quite nice, albeit a bit firmer than I would have liked. My W204 rides like an oxcart, and it is part of the reason I want to replace it.
The handling of the W205 was decent given the mission. I noticed that it felt more unsettled if I entered a corner a bit too hot, and bobbed about a bit but kept its grip. It's hard to push the limits in my car, and it was easier in the W205 - but more than sufficient given the goal of the Lux.
The handling of the W205 was decent given the mission. I noticed that it felt more unsettled if I entered a corner a bit too hot, and bobbed about a bit but kept its grip. It's hard to push the limits in my car, and it was easier in the W205 - but more than sufficient given the goal of the Lux.
02-13-2015, 03:42 AM
#9
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Las Vegas
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
2015 C300 4MATIC with Sport Package, Premium, Multimedia, Panorama Roof, Black Ash, & Blind Spot
Jinzen I'm confused you state:
"I had a day to test out a base "Sport" model. I own a Luxury C300 with standard steel suspension.
Both cars had 17" tires and were both set to 38PSI all around on tires.
The "Sport" (standard) model is:
- more stable ride overall
- tighter steering
- busier standard steel suspension"
But the Sport package has 18" tires. Do you mean the base model? Because I have the Sport Package and there is no way the Luxury would be slightly more comfortable as the Sport Package is terribly horribly harsh without Airmatic. You notice most posters on here who have a C300 Sport Package ordered Airmatic. Wish I did.
"I had a day to test out a base "Sport" model. I own a Luxury C300 with standard steel suspension.
Both cars had 17" tires and were both set to 38PSI all around on tires.
The "Sport" (standard) model is:
- more stable ride overall
- tighter steering
- busier standard steel suspension"
But the Sport package has 18" tires. Do you mean the base model? Because I have the Sport Package and there is no way the Luxury would be slightly more comfortable as the Sport Package is terribly horribly harsh without Airmatic. You notice most posters on here who have a C300 Sport Package ordered Airmatic. Wish I did.
02-13-2015, 08:27 AM
#10
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
2015 C300 Luxury
Jinzen I'm confused you state:
"I had a day to test out a base "Sport" model. I own a Luxury C300 with standard steel suspension.
Both cars had 17" tires and were both set to 38PSI all around on tires.
The "Sport" (standard) model is:
- more stable ride overall
- tighter steering
- busier standard steel suspension"
But the Sport package has 18" tires. Do you mean the base model? Because I have the Sport Package and there is no way the Luxury would be slightly more comfortable as the Sport Package is terribly horribly harsh without Airmatic. You notice most posters on here who have a C300 Sport Package ordered Airmatic. Wish I did.
"I had a day to test out a base "Sport" model. I own a Luxury C300 with standard steel suspension.
Both cars had 17" tires and were both set to 38PSI all around on tires.
The "Sport" (standard) model is:
- more stable ride overall
- tighter steering
- busier standard steel suspension"
But the Sport package has 18" tires. Do you mean the base model? Because I have the Sport Package and there is no way the Luxury would be slightly more comfortable as the Sport Package is terribly horribly harsh without Airmatic. You notice most posters on here who have a C300 Sport Package ordered Airmatic. Wish I did.
