AMG Fan

After test driving an 04' E500 I concluded that the car outhandles my C32. I felt the airmatic sport suspension really inspired more confidence in turns and handled high speeds better too. Does anyone know if MB is planning on going with an airmatic suspension on the upcoming C55?

MadC32

Nope. No Airmatic in the C-Class. We'll have to stick to the normal suspension. But that's not a bad thing

s4iscool

Sorry that is just plain wrong. The E500 is a fat pig compared to the c32. what are your categories for determining good handling?

ronnie0738

I think the airmatic suspension makes you feel like the handling is better. My dad has a 2003 E500 sport and the handling is definitely not as crisp as the c32. Although it does feel very confortable when turning (little sway). When pushed to the limits and on paper, its clearly not as good.

c32
braking 118ft
600ft slalom 67.3mph
skidpad 0.85

e500
braking 124ft
600ft slalom 64mph
skidpad 0.83

AMG Fan

The E500 only weighs 272 lbs more.

From MBUSA:
C32- 3540 lbs
E500- 3812 lbs

Plus, the E-class has a superior chassis to our C. The combination of the air-matic suspension and this make up for the little extra weight it carries. I am hoping the next C class gets the air-matic setup. Either way, a coilovered C32 handles much better than both.

blando

The internal word from AMG on the C55 is that it will be their best handling sedan ever...

FrankW

it makes you feel that way because the car is riding on a wider track. The same type of feel that I get when I'm driving my brother's 528i.

Nickerz

I would just like to know how you came to your conclusion that the E500 handles better?

What? Did you give it the ole Car Driver vigorous test with the sales guy? Not likely? What exactly led you to your "conclusion?"

Hey car salesman guy, better buckle up...this turn may be a doosy! YEEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAA!

Shine

Happen to race friend's E500 w C32AMG

E500 is quick but he slow down in turns, why ? he lose confidence at high speed cornering & C32 just cut it
with a tiny more confidence.
I'd say C32 wins but only a little !

s4iscool

Ok I guess to some, nearly 300lbs is "only" a slight bump.

Man o man.

Prasith32

I think the c32 has the potential to be a great handling car. The chassis is great and it is much more simpler in terms of suspension and electronic systems.

I am a big fan of ABC (active body control). I have driven an SL55 through the canyons and it really takes away the size of the car.

However in terms of modding I would only do the c32. I think ESP and BAS are enough. I wouldn't want airmatic, ABC, SBC, and anyther BC's you can throw on there.

If the C32 is modded it can handle better than any other car in the Mercedes lineup (save the new clk 55 and slr of course).

AMG Fan

My reasoning was that it wasnt' a pig compared to the C32. FYI, 272lbs isn't that much more weight.

trev0006

Also tire has a big factor in handdling, do both cars have the same tire?

s4iscool

believe what you want. Let me just add a nice 300lbs lead weight to your car. No big deal.

FrankW

that is a lot of weight difference. The M3 CSL is lighter by around 300lb to the M3, but the M3 CSL is a much more potent car all around.

s4iscool

Good example, but I will say, yes 300 lbs to some is not a big deal, esp if all you do is street posing...but if you are actually looking to get the best performance from your car, from say...the TRACK...300lbs is a big deal and yes it is VERY noticeable in the handling.

Take a 360lbs 600 sport bike and compare it to a 375lbs sport bike that has 30more HP...the 600 is so much more nimble and flickable. If you rode and tracked a bike, you would understand better.

S55inPA

hey guys,

in the world of high performance cars 300lbs is quite a bit.
i am surprised that it is only 300lbs because the E has a
much larger appearance to me. for the E to even be compared
to a C32 does say a lot for how much MB is impoving the
handling of it's main stream sedans.

CRB

It is like carrying an NFL defensive lineman around in your truck all the time.

BTW, the new S4 is a bit of a porker too!

99ML430

I agree that as far as luxo sedans go the E500 is a pretty nice car. It is very quick for its size and intended use, but my experience with both clearly favors the C32 especially when you start to push them. The E understeers on hard turn in and does not respond well to throttle input, whereis the C32 reacts positivley to throttle inputs and only loses its poise at a fairly high rate of speed and cornering loads/transitions.

bmms8

we have a e500, and ive been on a canyon run with my friends C32. no doubt the c32 handles better. i truly dont like the heaviness of the e500, it handles well, but nothing like the c32.

vlix

how bout new E55 vs. C32?

FrankW

hmm...hard decision. I'd say that the C32's more nimble, but the E55 probably grabs the road a lot better (wider track, tires, etc).