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The 550 has better suspension and electronically controlled shocks versus standard shocks on the 400. Plus the 550 will have a comfort and sport setting for the suspension/shocks where the 400's shock setting cannot be changed and is a compromise. Further, the 550 in comfort mode will be more comfortable/plush than the 400 and also more firm and controlled than the 400 when in sport mode. Lastly the 550 power is head and shoulders better than the 400 and not just total output but how and when the power is delivered is way better and the V8 sounds so much more pleasing than the little V6. Sooooo 550 all the way!
Jeffy's right. I have a '14 550 cabrio and it's head and shoulders above the 400. Also, the 550 has the mega brake discs. The 400 has the salad plate discs. Any way you cut it, the 400 is a downgrade (unless folding mirrors are enough to sway you).
Jeffy's right. I have a '14 550 cabrio and it's head and shoulders above the 400. Also, the 550 has the mega brake discs. The 400 has the salad plate discs. Any way you cut it, the 400 is a downgrade (unless folding mirrors are enough to sway you).
Except beware the 2015 550 Cab has the crappy small salad plate discs and accompanying small calipers. Its a shame.
Having driven my CLS400 for 1000 miles now I can confirm that while the 400 does go quite well when you mash the throttle and ring it out, it just simply cannot touch the power, torque and driving pleasure that the 550s offer. The 4.6L Biturbo V8 is simply a stunning engine.
I have a 2014 550;beautiful motor and sound, can't imagine a puny V6 in a vehicle that's oozes Classy performance in its 550 form.
As far as the front rotor size, I'd be pretty ticked off spending that kind of money and getting brakes suited for the CLA 4 banger!!!
Lastly pushing the V6 to that kind of performance must ultimately stress these units...
Good Luck.
16 E550 Cab, 2003 Ram bright red crewcab 4x4 we call Clifford :)
Daddio,
My new 2016(300 miles) has the Big Brakes and they work really well, bringing it down from speed with good control. My wife and I test drove a E350 a couple of month's ago and a E400 2 weeks ago... she said the E350 was slow.... she was coming from a Lexus GS430... sssooo The E400 was fast but didn't have the thumping V8 sound.
For us the thumping motor that pulls so effortlessly in the E550 was the ticket. Absolutely worth the extra money for us.
At 1/3 throttle it felt faster and way more torquer than the lexus.
Best part is she didn't know I found one while she was up north, surprised her with it when i picked her up from her trip
Last edited by mrmotoguzzi00; 11-10-2015 at 11:22 AM.
Could you please confirm that your new 2016 cab has the same size front brakes as the 2014 model? That would be good news as MB stuck CLA-sized front brakes on the 2015 coupes and cabs. It would also give me something to chat with both the service department and sales rep about when I bring my car in for A service next month.
When looking at the MBUSA web site today, it still shows the under-sized front brakes as being used on the 2016 coupes and cabs.
16 E550 Cab, 2003 Ram bright red crewcab 4x4 we call Clifford :)
From my 2016 E550 with Sport Package , build date 9/15
It does. I'd show a picture she is out gallivanting somewhere... Rotors are drilled and it has the black plate on the caliper with Mercedes Printed in white....
It does. I'd show a picture she is out gallivanting somewhere... Rotors are drilled and it has the black plate on the caliper with Mercedes Printed in white....
Thanks for the reply and the pic. Much appreciated. Unfortunately those are the same under-sized front rotors and calipers as on my 2015 E550 couple. I was hoping MB realized their mistake and had gone back to a more substantial brake option that I could haggle with them over. Guess not.
When compared to what was installed on E550's up through 2014, the current brakes, in my opinion and others on this forum, they are less than optimal for any sort of aggressive or even certain normal driving conditions. Yes the current brakes will stop your car under "normal" driving conditions. So they obviously meet whatever safety standards are mandated. However, for what should be installed on a car capable of the level of performance it delivers, they are far less than optimal.
It does. I'd show a picture she is out gallivanting somewhere... Rotors are drilled and it has the black plate on the caliper with Mercedes Printed in white....
This is the front pre-2015 rotor / brakes. 19" wheels so they may not look as big as they really are.
Originally Posted by PaulE550
Thanks for the reply and the pic. Much appreciated. Unfortunately those are the same under-sized front rotors and calipers as on my 2015 E550 couple. I was hoping MB realized their mistake and had gone back to a more substantial brake option that I could haggle with them over. Guess not.
When compared to what was installed on E550's up through 2014, the current brakes, in my opinion and others on this forum, they are less than optimal for any sort of aggressive or even certain normal driving conditions. Yes the current brakes will stop your car under "normal" driving conditions. So they obviously meet whatever safety standards are mandated. However, for what should be installed on a car capable of the level of performance it delivers, they are far less than optimal.
10-25-2015, 04:09 PM
The E400 was fast but didn't have the thumping V8 sound.
