mcbc220

When was your car built? Any indication that these suspension mixups are still occurring?

C300Ross

Not sure if the suspension mix-ups are still a problem, but it sure was last year. I can pretty much tell now by looking at the wheel gap what kind of suspension is on a particular C300. If you can fit five fingers in the wheel gap of an AMG sport model, It's running a comfort suspension for sure (unless it's Airmatic, which is rare around here). I once went to dinner and a base C300 was parked next to me when I returned to my vehicle. That car sat much lower, and I was kinda jealous I didn't get the sport suspension by mistake, like he did. Looked way better!

Str8Down

You know what, my sport package sits super high. I've seen other c300's that sit much lower. I wonder if mine was built with the wrong springs. Anyone know how to tell?

Mike5215

I think the only difference is in spring size, so if it's high its base/lux, low it's sport. I guess the next question is, for owners who got one but would rather have the other, is it as simple as swapping out the springs?

mcbc220

The other factor is that 4matic cars seem to sit higher than RWD ones--noticeably so. If your car is a 4matic and you're comparing to RWD, that could (possibly) explain it. Best way to know is to check the VIN code.

Str8Down

Mine is 4matic

princetonman

I have a 2016 C300 with the comfort suspension. This care replaced a 2008 BMW 328xi. The differences between the two cars are night and day, with the C300 giving a much more comfortable ride but having what I would call poor handling compared to the BMW. Having loved the handling of the BMW, I'm sorry that I didn't resist the dealer's suggestion and go instead for the base suspension, which I suspect would have been a bit better on handling and a bit worse on the rough roads of New Jersey.

Mike5215

I believe the comfort suspension and the base suspension are one and the same. My recommendation is for the AirMatic option. Great ride in all conditions and the ability to switch from Sport to Comfort as desired. Worth every penny IMO. I've yet to see a post from anyone who got AirMatic and wished they'd just gotten a steel suspension in one form or the other, but I've seen lots of regrets going the other way.

mcbc220

So I have some more information on this after speaking to another dealer. The base and luxury versions both, indeed, use the comfort suspension. HOWEVER, the base model uses a lowered version of the comfort suspension, identified as "677 comfort suspension (lowered)". The luxury version uses the comfort-tuned suspension, as well, but not lowered. The person I spoke to didn't know offhand but said he thought the "677" version uses slightly shorter springs.

So, the base and luxury models should drive nearly identically. However, the base may handle ever so slightly differently because it is ever so slightly lower to the ground. I still haven't been able to test drive a luxury to find out if I, at least, can feel any difference.

See for example this http://www.parkplace.com/mercedes-be...class-gu151549. Scroll down to where it lists the options or search "677".

WhoIsThat

I can tell you a bit more:
677 is comfort suspension lowered by 15mm, used on the RWD version, so it is actually the same height as the sports suspension.

"Full height" comfort suspension is used on the AWD version, which is heavier (and might cause the car to lower slightly, perhaps by 15mm.)

In other words, it's all similar to one another height-wise when it is all said and done.

The part I am not so sure if what happens in luxury trim with RWD (since luxury trim uses full height suspension even in RWD version).

mcbc220

Interesting, thank you so much! There is a lot of confusion on this topic due to a surprising amount of secrecy from MBUSA. It seems like the RWD luxury suspension is not lowered 15mm.

WhoIsThat

Perhaps it is purposeful confusion by MB such that everyone will select airmatic because no one can figure out the meaning of other options.

On a related note, I find it quite annoying that most of the sales people (MB/BMW/Lexus/Toyota... basically any brand) tend not to be well informed enough about their products.

Interestingly, the most well informed car sales person I have met about their respective brands is a Chevy sales guy... I was asking about the Volt at the time. The guy knew everything inside out. I was very impressed.

mcbc220

Agreed. I have heard all sorts of things from salesmen, some of which I knew were outright false ("S" mode changes the car's horsepower; Burmester can be ordered as a standalone; all cars have airmatic). I was lucky to talk to someone yesterday who really, clearly knew his stuff and was very helpful.

Re: luxury - this dealership lists "comfort suspension (lowered)" for their base models.
Note that this listing for a luxury model doesn't say "lowered." Also, for those who care, the airpanel louvers are still present on 2016s; I know there were reports they had been discontinued.

sequins

Did you post to your lecture notes by mistake?

seanvree

I have a 2015 4matic sport and I can say I wouldn't do it again. I live in Seattle and it's terrible. I did swap out the run-flats for all seasons and it did help ALOT! But, I do regret getting the sport suspension.

Mike5215

No. The complexities of suspension ordering on the 205 are such that you need a Harvard lawyer to understand them

mcbc220

Oops! And now that listing has disappeared. In any event, it gave a different suspension code (485) and didn't say "lowered."

princetonman

I just noticed that I appear to have the 485 suspension code also, denoted as "Comfort Suspension."