Soften up the ride
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Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 607
Likes: 240
From: Suburban Maryland
2023 E 450 Sedan. 2018 GLC 300. 2013 E 350 Coupe (retired)
Soften up the ride
Has anyone been successful in making the ride less taut? I know this is not the usual route, but I am moving closer to the city (potholes), and it is no fun constantly dodging them. Love the car, but will sell unless I can get a more comfortable ride. Lower tire pressure, smaller wheels I understand is only a partial solution. I suppose the cure is new springs and shocks? Anyone go this route? Thanks.
Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 134
Likes: 6
2014 E550 Cabriolet, 2014 Porsche Cayenne Diesel
I blame the low profile tires and mediocre tuning of the chassis. I don't think the car warrants such low profile tires, they are clearly there for appearance, not function. I do agree, the ride on rough surfaces is pretty tough, but it's more the fear of blowing a tire, than the actual ride that bothers me. I do like the highway ride, and pavement imperfections at higher speeds seems to be less of an issue. THis really doesn't help you, but does validate your thoughts on the ride.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 717
Likes: 1
From: Newark,NJ
2010 Charcoal Grey E350 Coupe
Agreed ,I liken the ride in my E350 coupe to a smaller SUV...since it toggle between NY and NJ,I'm faced with unkept roads on a regular basis.....I'm wondering is there a standard fix to smoothen the ride of this car??
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 269
Likes: 4
From: New York
03 SL500(Sold), 09 C300, 11 E550
get the smallest diameter wheel possible and a larger diameter sidewall on the tire. if you are driving where you know there will be potholes why run the risk of ruining your stock wheels.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 639
Likes: 14
From: Suburban Phila., PA
2012 E350 Coupe
In addition to the other suggestions above, do a little research on "Touring" tires available in your car's sizes. The UHP tires considered OEM for these cars generally ride stiffer.
Michelin is always a good place to start. Mercedes at one point had the Michelin Primacy MXV4 Touring tires (NOT the MXM Sport) as a no-cost option to replace the standard harder-riding Pirelli P Zero Nero UHP tires when ordering a new car for those wanting a more forgiving ride and who didn't mind sacrificing a little sharpness in handling, but I'm not sure that Michelin model is still available in the size you need. They do have newer touring models available in the E Coupe/Cab sizes, but I don't know how they affect the ride quality.
FWIW, before I ordered my 2012, after a lengthy search I managed to find and drive an E coupe with the OEM 17" wheels and Continental tires and the slightly higher non-sport suspension. It did improve the ride somewhat. But I simply could not stand the way the car looked.
I knew I was in for a bumpy ride but I sprung for the whole AMG sport package with the larger wheels, lower suspension, stiffer springs, etc. Five years later I have gotten used to the harsher ride in and around the terrible suburban Philly roads except for the very worst ones. And I still love looking at the car as much as I did when I first picked it up at the dealer.
Good looks nearly always win out over brains (and kidneys).
Michelin is always a good place to start. Mercedes at one point had the Michelin Primacy MXV4 Touring tires (NOT the MXM Sport) as a no-cost option to replace the standard harder-riding Pirelli P Zero Nero UHP tires when ordering a new car for those wanting a more forgiving ride and who didn't mind sacrificing a little sharpness in handling, but I'm not sure that Michelin model is still available in the size you need. They do have newer touring models available in the E Coupe/Cab sizes, but I don't know how they affect the ride quality.
FWIW, before I ordered my 2012, after a lengthy search I managed to find and drive an E coupe with the OEM 17" wheels and Continental tires and the slightly higher non-sport suspension. It did improve the ride somewhat. But I simply could not stand the way the car looked.
I knew I was in for a bumpy ride but I sprung for the whole AMG sport package with the larger wheels, lower suspension, stiffer springs, etc. Five years later I have gotten used to the harsher ride in and around the terrible suburban Philly roads except for the very worst ones. And I still love looking at the car as much as I did when I first picked it up at the dealer.
Good looks nearly always win out over brains (and kidneys).
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 134
Likes: 6
2014 E550 Cabriolet, 2014 Porsche Cayenne Diesel
So true . As soon as the salesman pulled the car around for a test drive, I was done. Not sure anything else mattered after seeing the car. I have never owned a car (have owned Jags, BMWs, Porsche) that attracts so many compliments. Just yesterday, a couple pulled in next to my car in a mint '76 450SL, and were gushing over my E550 Cab.
In the 550, our brakes are larger diameter, so not sure a 17" wheel will fit.
. As soon as the salesman pulled the car around for a test drive, I was done. Not sure anything else mattered after seeing the car. I have never owned a car (have owned Jags, BMWs, Porsche) that attracts so many compliments. Just yesterday, a couple pulled in next to my car in a mint '76 450SL, and were gushing over my E550 Cab. In the 550, our brakes are larger diameter, so not sure a 17" wheel will fit.
