Airmatic Suspension.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 100
Likes: 3
From: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
C350e with Comand, Vision Package and seat package, 2017 Mini Cooper S 7
Airmatic Suspension.
I received my C350e middle of December and have added 3,000 kms. Most of these were on country roads with, say, 700 in major cities.
I thought the Airmatic suspension would give me an extremely "cushy" ride, since I have set it to "Comfort".
However, I feel that the suspension is no better than a regularly sprung car and I can't notice any difference between "Comfort" setting and "Sport+" setting.
I find it crashes into irregularities on the road and, generally feels stiff.
In Australia the car comes with 19" wheels as standard with 35 profiles on the back (40 on the front).
Does anyone else feel that Airmatic is not as good as it is purported, or, do I have a problem? Are the low profile tyres giving me the problem?
I thought the Airmatic suspension would give me an extremely "cushy" ride, since I have set it to "Comfort".
However, I feel that the suspension is no better than a regularly sprung car and I can't notice any difference between "Comfort" setting and "Sport+" setting.
I find it crashes into irregularities on the road and, generally feels stiff.
In Australia the car comes with 19" wheels as standard with 35 profiles on the back (40 on the front).
Does anyone else feel that Airmatic is not as good as it is purported, or, do I have a problem? Are the low profile tyres giving me the problem?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 59
From: Manchester, UK
BMW e89 Z4 sDrive 35i & MB S205 C200 AMG Premium Plus
Airmatic is good on undulating roads but crashy on poor sharp surfaces. 19" wheels don't help especially with run flats but remember that this system is very basic in the C and it's focus was more towards adaptive driving rather than comfort. I can definitely tell the difference between comfort and sport plus.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 308
Likes: 76
2024 E350
You're probably better off buying a car without Airmatic and using the $1K you save towards a set of NON-runflat tires for a more comfortable ride.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
Not sure why you put NON in caps...I recommend non run flats in conjunction with AirMatic. The conventional tires (I recommend Michelin Pilot Supersports) will help by transmitting less impacts thru the suspension and into the cabin, but getting that extra cushion of air that AirMatic provides is essential if you want the traditional creamy MB ride. That's why it's standard on the flagship S Class. For $1100 it's a no brainer on a C but it does usually require a special order car and a 90 day wait. Well worth it though.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 100
Likes: 3
From: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
C350e with Comand, Vision Package and seat package, 2017 Mini Cooper S 7
Thanks for the responses. However, the C350e comes standard with Airmatic and 19" run flats, in Australia.
I would assume this is to cope with the extra weight of the battery for the Hybrid drive?
I've had two other C Classes (W204 and W203) with standard suspension and they seemed to ride better than the Airmatic. However, they couldn't be changed from Comfort to Sport + etc.
I would assume this is to cope with the extra weight of the battery for the Hybrid drive?
I've had two other C Classes (W204 and W203) with standard suspension and they seemed to ride better than the Airmatic. However, they couldn't be changed from Comfort to Sport + etc.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,653
Likes: 560
2016 C300
Originally Posted by JIMSHANN
Thanks for the responses. However, the C350e comes standard with Airmatic and 19" run flats, in Australia.
I would assume this is to cope with the extra weight of the battery for the Hybrid drive?
I've had two other C Classes (W204 and W203) with standard suspension and they seemed to ride better than the Airmatic. However, they couldn't be changed from Comfort to Sport + etc.
I would assume this is to cope with the extra weight of the battery for the Hybrid drive?
I've had two other C Classes (W204 and W203) with standard suspension and they seemed to ride better than the Airmatic. However, they couldn't be changed from Comfort to Sport + etc.
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
Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 100
Likes: 3
From: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
C350e with Comand, Vision Package and seat package, 2017 Mini Cooper S 7
To Luton Driver.
That's not true for the C350e. All of the space is taken up by battery, big diameter cables, cooling pipes, etc. for the Hybrid motor.
It's quite frightening to see when the cover is removed. I would imagine that it would cost a small fortune to repair, if someone ran up the back of the car.
That's not true for the C350e. All of the space is taken up by battery, big diameter cables, cooling pipes, etc. for the Hybrid motor.
It's quite frightening to see when the cover is removed. I would imagine that it would cost a small fortune to repair, if someone ran up the back of the car.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 276
Likes: 21
C350e
Thanks for the responses. However, the C350e comes standard with Airmatic and 19" run flats, in Australia.
I would assume this is to cope with the extra weight of the battery for the Hybrid drive?
I've had two other C Classes (W204 and W203) with standard suspension and they seemed to ride better than the Airmatic. However, they couldn't be changed from Comfort to Sport + etc.
I would assume this is to cope with the extra weight of the battery for the Hybrid drive?
I've had two other C Classes (W204 and W203) with standard suspension and they seemed to ride better than the Airmatic. However, they couldn't be changed from Comfort to Sport + etc.
In must say that the airmatic is an improvement over standard suspension and i can feel the difference in characteristics in the different agility modes.
