How harsh is your sport suspension?
#51
I have kind of beat this subject to death on this forum, but since you asked, here it goes...
I ordered a C300 with 18" wheels and standard suspension like the car I had on the test drive. For some reason, my car was built with the sport suspension. My dealer denied this, but when I insisted on a visual inspection, they conceded the point. Bottom line is I hate it. The ride is downright painful on a bad road. However, it does handle great - so that's good. I really really regret not getting the Airmatic suspension. C'est la vie...
I ordered a C300 with 18" wheels and standard suspension like the car I had on the test drive. For some reason, my car was built with the sport suspension. My dealer denied this, but when I insisted on a visual inspection, they conceded the point. Bottom line is I hate it. The ride is downright painful on a bad road. However, it does handle great - so that's good. I really really regret not getting the Airmatic suspension. C'est la vie...
#52
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
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'15 C300 4Matic
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!
#54
MBWorld Fanatic!
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?
#55
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.
#57
Comfort Suspension
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.
#58
MBWorld Fanatic!
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.
#59
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".
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".
#60
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".
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".
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).
Last edited by WhoIsThat; 04-26-2016 at 12:29 AM.
#61
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).
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).
#62
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.
Last edited by WhoIsThat; 04-26-2016 at 10:46 AM.
#63
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.
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.
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.
Last edited by mcbc220; 04-29-2016 at 06:04 PM.
#64
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. http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/c...ure/index.html
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.
Re: luxury - this dealership lists "comfort suspension (lowered)" for their base models. http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/c...ure/index.html
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.
#65
Member
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.
#66
MBWorld Fanatic!
Originally Posted by sequins
Did you post to your lecture notes by mistake?
#67