What do you think the cornering performance in E class?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
So what's with the boats already? It's a car, not a boat. :p
To sort of answer your question, the E-class corners like what it is, a car of nearly two tons (tonnes) with an orientation towards luxury, not sport. It can get around corners fairly quickly if pushed, but it doesn't feel as agile as, say, a BMW 5-Series. Beyond that, there is a fair amount of variation in cornering performance between E-Classes, depending upon the tires fitted and whether it has Airmatic. Airmatic allows you to firm up the suspension and almost eliminate body roll, in return for a teeth-rattling ride.
To sort of answer your question, the E-class corners like what it is, a car of nearly two tons (tonnes) with an orientation towards luxury, not sport. It can get around corners fairly quickly if pushed, but it doesn't feel as agile as, say, a BMW 5-Series. Beyond that, there is a fair amount of variation in cornering performance between E-Classes, depending upon the tires fitted and whether it has Airmatic. Airmatic allows you to firm up the suspension and almost eliminate body roll, in return for a teeth-rattling ride.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 957
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was '03 E320 - now - '04 S4
I think DWP hit the nail on the head. It isn't a sports car. My W211 was comfy. Quiet too except for road noise - a bit more than I thought should be intruding in on the cabin. Oh yeah... there was that squaky windshield pillar trim piece but I digress... 
The SLK55 corners beautifully. If you want an M-B and you want cornering performance it'll make you happy. It's quick in a straight line too. Doesn't look "girly" like the 1st gen SLK. Overall I'm really taking a shine to that car.
Too bad it is limited to auto tranny only.
The SLK55 corners beautifully. If you want an M-B and you want cornering performance it'll make you happy. It's quick in a straight line too. Doesn't look "girly" like the 1st gen SLK. Overall I'm really taking a shine to that car.
Too bad it is limited to auto tranny only.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 304
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From: San Clemente, CA
2003 E-500
I am very pleased with the cornering performance of my E-500. Normally I have the Airmatic set at the mid postiion as opposed to the two light sport position, and performance is much better with my replacement Pirelli P Zero Nero M&S tires than with the original Continentals. My friend has an E-320 without Airmatic and it's cornering is not nearly as good.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 334
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From: Irvine, CA
05 E500 Wagon
Compared to my 545 sport that I just sold…it’s just plain awful…even with airmatic on sport, even after being lowered, even with my 19’s….but I knew that going in and it doesn’t bother me much…it corners better than most…and corners just fine for how I drive the car and what I need it to do / And taking all other aspects of the car into consideration…I could care less that my 545 cornered better.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 723
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From: Central Jersey
2003 E500, 2004 G35X
W211 does not corner well, but, again, it is not sold or pretend to be a sports sedan. It is no match for my daily drive, G35X, both in handling and braking. But my G35X cannot compared to the 211 in many others aspects.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,434
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From: So Cal
2010 RRS ; BMW K1200R; 14 E350 ; 14 RRS on order
Originally Posted by DWP
... fair amount of variation in cornering performance between E-Classes, depending upon the tires fitted and ....
I have 19" Dunlop SP9000s on mine and it corner beautifully. You just need some ***** to try it. My car has never felt like it was lacking in the cornering department. And I don't have arimatic.
Now, in the acceleration department I have to report otherwise.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
Install a set of AMG E55 Sway Bars..It WILL HELP a LOT!
I Upgraded the sway bars from the stock sway bars to the AMG sway bars...They are a LOT larger dia compared to stock sway bars
Made a HUGE improvement on the wagon and coupe..
I Upgraded the sway bars from the stock sway bars to the AMG sway bars...They are a LOT larger dia compared to stock sway bars
Made a HUGE improvement on the wagon and coupe..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 2
From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
Originally Posted by MARK CUMMINS
Install a set of AMG E55 Sway Bars..It WILL HELP a LOT!
I Upgraded the sway bars from the stock sway bars to the AMG sway bars...They are a LOT larger dia compared to stock sway bars
Made a HUGE improvement on the wagon and coupe..
I Upgraded the sway bars from the stock sway bars to the AMG sway bars...They are a LOT larger dia compared to stock sway bars
Made a HUGE improvement on the wagon and coupe..
Cost$ and is it plug-n-play? i.e. Can MB dealer do the swap?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
Dont remember prices....You will need front and rear sway bars/bushings/bushing mounting caps-mounts/end links.and all the hardware
The Dealer (SHOULD) be able to do this...its a easy job.
First locate a decent parts tech to get the correct part numbers..This is why I have a EPC..so I can look up part numbers..without the dreaded ahhhh I Need the Vin # to look up and order parts...
The Sway Bars will NOT affect the ride..Only make the car corner better!
The Dealer (SHOULD) be able to do this...its a easy job.
First locate a decent parts tech to get the correct part numbers..This is why I have a EPC..so I can look up part numbers..without the dreaded ahhhh I Need the Vin # to look up and order parts...
The Sway Bars will NOT affect the ride..Only make the car corner better!
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: Irvine, CA
05 E500 Wagon
Originally Posted by MARK CUMMINS
Dont remember prices....You will need front and rear sway bars/bushings/bushing mounting caps-mounts/end links.and all the hardware
The Dealer (SHOULD) be able to do this...its a easy job.
First locate a decent parts tech to get the correct part numbers..This is why I have a EPC..so I can look up part numbers..without the dreaded ahhhh I Need the Vin # to look up and order parts...
The Sway Bars will NOT affect the ride..Only make the car corner better!
The Dealer (SHOULD) be able to do this...its a easy job.
First locate a decent parts tech to get the correct part numbers..This is why I have a EPC..so I can look up part numbers..without the dreaded ahhhh I Need the Vin # to look up and order parts...
The Sway Bars will NOT affect the ride..Only make the car corner better!
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 723
Likes: 32
From: Central Jersey
2003 E500, 2004 G35X
Originally Posted by chenry
can this be done to an airmatic as well??
Can I order this from places besides dealers? Dealers always markup a lot more! Any suggestions?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 3
From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
I can look up the part numbers ...Not sure if the part numbers will be current as they change often
If anyone needs the sway bars..contact Steve...Great prices..Not Inflated dealers (LIST) price..Dealer (LIST) price varys from dealer to dealer
If anyone needs the sway bars..contact Steve...Great prices..Not Inflated dealers (LIST) price..Dealer (LIST) price varys from dealer to dealer
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,439
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From: THE NAPA VALLEY, CA
Build date 2-04 E500
I can only speak for the car I drive... An e500.
Its definatly the best handling "family sedan" I've ever driven... As some may know, I live in the foothills (1400 ft) above the Napa valley floor and drive 11 miles of some of the most rural, twisty roads around to get to "town". This car shows virtualy no body roll and makes the trip a pleasure.
B.T.W.... I keep the car in sport II 95% when my ol'lady feels I'm worthy to drive it. (her car)
Its definatly the best handling "family sedan" I've ever driven... As some may know, I live in the foothills (1400 ft) above the Napa valley floor and drive 11 miles of some of the most rural, twisty roads around to get to "town". This car shows virtualy no body roll and makes the trip a pleasure.
B.T.W.... I keep the car in sport II 95% when my ol'lady feels I'm worthy to drive it. (her car)
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
2003 E500
I owned a 2003 E39 for 10 years and I hardly ever felt the need to ease off the gas in corners and twisties; with the E500 its very different, solid car but I dont feel as confident pushing it into turns. I definately corner slower in the Merc than I did in the BMW. That's not a deal breaker though. Still a nice car.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Auckland, New Zealand
2000 E55, Lexus RX 450h
I owned a 2003 E39 for 10 years and I hardly ever felt the need to ease off the gas in corners and twisties; with the E500 its very different, solid car but I dont feel as confident pushing it into turns. I definately corner slower in the Merc than I did in the BMW. That's not a deal breaker though. Still a nice car.
Last edited by BENDIT; Feb 20, 2013 at 09:30 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,184
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From: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
2014 BMW M235i
Not sure why we resurrected a thread from 2005 but...
I have an E550 4-Matic with AirMatic (obviously) and wide 255/35/18 Michelin Primacy MXM4s all around. I really think it corners well, and as was mentioned by the skid pad results, while it isn't at the level of a 5-series it is still very very good. Then again it also rides much better and is more luxurious than a 5-Series. It is a luxury performance car in a sense and behaves like one. Very confident and with 4-Matic - huge amounts of grip, that doesn't mean you don't feel the weight of the car but it is almost comparable with some sportier cars. Especially in AirMatic Sport 2.
Definitely not a "boat" and the turning radius is pretty great too.
I have an E550 4-Matic with AirMatic (obviously) and wide 255/35/18 Michelin Primacy MXM4s all around. I really think it corners well, and as was mentioned by the skid pad results, while it isn't at the level of a 5-series it is still very very good. Then again it also rides much better and is more luxurious than a 5-Series. It is a luxury performance car in a sense and behaves like one. Very confident and with 4-Matic - huge amounts of grip, that doesn't mean you don't feel the weight of the car but it is almost comparable with some sportier cars. Especially in AirMatic Sport 2.
Definitely not a "boat" and the turning radius is pretty great too.
Last edited by AMGAffalterbach; Feb 20, 2013 at 11:41 PM.
Super Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 673
Likes: 27
From: Frederick
2000 ML320, 2005 E320 CDI
I've had quite a few other cars...including an M3. The E feels just like it should and significantly better in corners compared to other vehicles in it's arena. That said, I have not had a 5 series..so I cannot compare that. I have yet to find the "breaking point" in cornering with this car, and I have lost traction in a corner
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 18
From: Blaine, WA
07 E320 Bluetec
I love flooring mine around exit ramps or even sharper corners and never felt I was at risk. Wide tires (see my signature) help towards the cause, no doubt. New BILSTEIN B16 ridecontrol (based on PSS10 with in-cabin electronically switchable control over damping setups & iRC (BILSTEIN-App for active suspension control)) being delivered today, may further transform the car into an animal, assuming Bilstein improved quality issues. I will post my experiences once installed.
Last edited by pinebaron; Feb 21, 2013 at 06:13 AM.
