New to MB
 

Need advice just bought a 2011 CL550 cruising in the NYC AREA with the Comfort mode on but the ride feels rough, is this the norm or do I need to have the suspension checked . My 1999 Lexus have a softer ride , please advise

you did not expect the Best or nothing car to have a soft ride did you? I have a 2014 E350 sport and it is a terrible riding car but you get used to it. When you get a chance please post a picture of your rough riding car.

Thanks reply
 

Here are the pics requested

nice looking ride

Thx post pics of yours

Nice looking car. You have to remember that you have a sports coupe that will have a stiffer "sport tuned" suspension and low profile tires. Those two things are going to help handling but are going to make for a rougher ride. Also, and someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but the Comfort mode relates to the transmission and shift points.

Thank you
 

Thanks for the reply

moved to W216 forum...

Did you test drive the car before purchasing? A Lexus will always be softer and a MB will always be 'sportier'.

Nice color what year is that, yes I did test drive the car in Philadelphia where I purchase the car the roads where smooth , living in NYC THE ROADS ARE TOUGHER, just went on a road trip and the car rides like a beast love it ��

The ABC suspension makes for a harsher ride over certain types of impacts than a traditional or air suspension, but is rewarding when pushing the car hard, as it really controls the body motion like no other system can, the active suspension is just awesome, but its not the most compliant.

The large AMG wheels with thin tires hurts too, if you swapped down to 18s and a taller tire it makes a big difference, but it doesn't look as sharp or handle the same.

Thanks 4 the heads up was thinking about going 18s but will stay with what I have for now

I have a 2013 CL550 4Matic with the AMG wheels, compared to my BMW 335i, this car glides over the road. The BMW would rattle my teeth although it was a blast to drive hard. The CL550 is not a sports car, it is a very comfy limo that goes like hell when you feel like it! Sport mode is a tad stiffer than comfort mode, less body roll is the most significant difference I can perceive. The ride on the BMW was stiff and connected to the road, you could feel every pebble in the road, the CL feels like a jet flying low, smooth, fast, confident. If yours doesn’t feel right, perhaps the pneumatic suspension needs attention. Tire stiffness can effect the ride quality. The factory tires are soft and wonderful but only last 10k miles...mine currently has m+s tires which are stiffer than factory but necessary for driving in snow. The stiffer tires made only a minor difference in ride quality.

2011 CL 550
 

Hey thanks for the info needed that , you didn’t say what the factory tires are , My car came with Perelli I feel everything , what size wheels do you have , I’m riding on AMG 19’s thinking about 18’s but will have the suspension checked before changing anything. Send a picture. Thx again

Tires on my 2013 CL550 4Matic
 

The 2013 4matic has pneumatic suspension which probably rides softer than your hydraulic suspension...That could explain why mine feels pretty smooth over the road... I've read your suspension is fantastic (when it's working properly).

Tires on my 2013 CL550 4Matic
 

Continental 255/35 ZR 20 97W M+S on 20" AMG factory option wheels. 20,000 miles on them with plenty of life left. They ride nice but noisy compared to the original factory summer tires that wore out in less than 10,000 miles.https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...a55caf0448.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...39655bd90d.jpg

CL 550
 

Thanks again for the info will keep you updated, The whip looks nice.