cfp

I am thinking about 2020 or 2021 E450 v E53 coupe. My biggest question is how stiff the E53 suspension will be. This will be my everyday car, with some good windy roads on my short commute but also regular traffic. So, I want comfort and performance. I will not be hitting the track with it. Any experience or recommendations?

BenzC400

I have a 2019 E53 Coupe. I ordered the car at the end of 2018 and was concerned about the “AMG Sport Suspension” since the E53 wasn't available to drive when I ordered. I didn’t get to test drive one. I thought it might be too stiff. I did dive an E450 though. The E53 suspension is a bit stiffer. I think Mercedes realized that most buyers of the E53 want a fast sporty car for daily comfortable driving. Recent promotional material for the 2021 E53 talks about a more comfortably tuned suspension. I’ve asked my dealer if the 2019 suspension can be tuned for a softer ride like the 2021 version. They are checking. Having said this, the 2019 E53 ride very comfortable on most roads. I am happy with it, but would prefer a bit softer suspension in comfort mode.

cfp

Thanks. That's exactly me: sporty with comfort at times. I had a 2012 E350 sport suspension without different suspension modes, and it was a great balance. I put 220K miles on it; now it's time for a new one.

TennesseeZ4

My experience is that the E450 cab can deliver a variable range of suitable driving experience. My non-air suspension, n.e. lowered sport suspension with selective damping, E450 has three programed settings: Comfort, Sport, and Sport +. The lowered sport suspension with selective damping allows for grocery store delivery / commuting comfort, and can deliver a more energized suspension with the selective damping in Sport or Sport+. This car will likely never see the track, but does on occasion see triple digits, decreasing radius off-camber corners, and fast sweepers. I came from an R231 SL550, and must say that the E450 with the selective damping provides all that I require. You may choose to go to the air suspension, but IMO the variance would be negligible on an every day drive. I have driven an AMG 53 and find it to be more fidgety in the suspension; great for more speed, less comfortable for around town. Your driving style / demands will determine how you should proceed,, but driving an example of each should allow you to determine what is best for your own use. The multiple suspension options available to E class owners is indicative of the broad appeal this model has in the marketplace.

cfp

Thanks. That's the feedback I need. Look forward to driving both.

Pennetta

I have a 2019 E53 Cab. The suspension has three settings. Comfort, Sport and Sport+. Actually four, if you include dynamic which switches between the three automatically. Comfort is exactly that, smooth but controlled. Sport+ and the car doesn’t lean or roll through a turn. Rough roads are much more noticeable in Sport+.
Compared to the C63 which is brutally fast and with more track oriented focus the E53 is more athletic and livable.

runmkm

I've had an E450 coupe for almost a year. I have 20" rims which keep the car well sorted but not harsh.

E53 would give you more power, but I had my ECU tuned to give more power than stock E53.

Also, E53 only comes with black interior. E450 offers the full spectrum of colors.

Just my humble opinion.

cfp

Thanks. What did you do to tune it for more power?

Klu18

Hi I'm trying to convince my mom to get an E53 but the one we test drove has the 20" wheels and was too stiff for her. Did you dealer say they could tune the suspension to be softer?

Elvisfan0108

Is this for you to drive? Why an E53 for your mom?

Klu18

It'd be for the both of us. Her car but I get to use it on weekends and when she travels for work. We had a 718 Cayman S but the ride was too rough I was the only one that drove it.

teksurv

If you want comfort I'd avoid the E53 and go with a 450 and swap out the run flats.

Chapel Hill

We got the E450 with Air Body Control and it is bliss.

Tima I

[QUOTE=cfp;8176116]I am thinking about 2020 or 2021 E450 v E53 coupe. My biggest question is how stiff the E53 suspension will be. This will be my everyday car, with some good windy roads on my short commute but also regular traffic. So, I want comfort and performance. I will not be hitting the track with it. Any experience or recommendations?[/QUOTE

Not sure about the amg but 19 450 cab's suspension is a nightmare. make sure to test drive it enough to see how you like it. if i did with mine i would never buy it. and dealer stated it works as designed ignoring that a twice cheaper loaner's suspension performs insanely better.

racingmd

I just took delivery of an E53 coupe last week to replace my 2019 E450 Coupe. The ride is definitely firmer but not too much for a daily driver. My car is my daily driver as well. It is firmer but the dampening is very controlled and not jarring. It is much more composed than the 450 and I do not feel any of the shudder or transmission of bumps or expansion joints through the chassis as I did in the 450. This improvement is with the stock pzero run flats. I had non run flat ultra high performance all season pilot sports on the 450.

Tima I

ehat year is the new one? and was there any choice of suspension option or does it come with one type of suspension available and which one is that pls?

asking on the type cause my 19 e450 had options available not sure what was the base one, but then it had upgrade to dynamic body co trol and next level was airmatic. i got the dynamic body control.

racingmd

It is a 22. There is no choice of suspension it comes standard with the amg airmatic setup

Tima I

good to kno thx. mine is a huge dissaloinent, im trying to fix this, dealer acknowledged there is smthg wrong after a testdrive with technician and agreed to replace rear shocks which had near to 0 impact on issues i addressed.

i am sure there is a flaw in suspension design but my problem s that i have no necessary knowledge for such complex problem.

runmkm

I agree. I have an E450 that has been tuned and has more horsepower and torque than the e53. 20-in rims and it rides very nicely. Recently had my bushings replaced which made the ride even better.