Question for E550 Owners
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2007 E350 Sport Alabaster White P1 Package
Question for E550 Owners
Hello. I currently have a 2007 E350. I'm thinking about getting an E550 in December. I test drove one this past weekend. Loved the extra power but I have some questions about the ride/shocks/suspension. While test driving the car it seemed to "float" down the road. The ride was kind of spongy. On the E350 the ride and handling seemed much better. Now I did notice some buttons on the center console that appears to be related to the shocks/suspension?? The salesman was no help in explaining what these buttons controlled. I'm going on another test drive sometime this week. Maybe I should have played around with buttons during the drive. But by default I assumed that it should ride just like my E350 without any adjustments. My question is that I'm assuming that the E550 should handle and ride better then the E350 correct? For those that may have upgraded from the E350 to an E550, other than the extra power anyone what do you like about the car? Any input would be much appreciated.
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From: SoCal
2005 E500 with 'some' BRABUS upgrades
Its called AIRMATIC suspension. The button on the left side is to raise the vehicle in case you want to go over some curbs or jump the car. The raise feature does help when the car is lowered.
The buttons on the center are to stiffen the suspension. Hit it once it shifts it to AIRMATIC DC Sport 1 which lowers the car millimeters and stiffens the shocks up a bit.
Hit it again and AIRMATIC DC Sport 2 which lowers the car more (about half an inch I believe) and stiffens the shocks up even more for a more firm ride.
Hit the 'Sports' suspension button once again and it returns it to 'Comfort' ride settings which yes are a little soft when it comes to comparison to a E320 ride.
My E500 is lowered so I don't use the 'stiffening' features. I use the raise and lower features more so then the rest.
The buttons on the center are to stiffen the suspension. Hit it once it shifts it to AIRMATIC DC Sport 1 which lowers the car millimeters and stiffens the shocks up a bit.
Hit it again and AIRMATIC DC Sport 2 which lowers the car more (about half an inch I believe) and stiffens the shocks up even more for a more firm ride.
Hit the 'Sports' suspension button once again and it returns it to 'Comfort' ride settings which yes are a little soft when it comes to comparison to a E320 ride.
My E500 is lowered so I don't use the 'stiffening' features. I use the raise and lower features more so then the rest.
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From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
I have not driven the E550 extensively, but I did spend a weekend with a CLS550 which is basically built on the same platform and has the same AIRMATIC suspention system.
The AIRMATIC is a great system, but I did find that the standard Comfort setting to be a bit too soft and floaty. If you dial it up to AIRMATIC DC Sport 1 or Sport 2 the ride is perfect and responsive yet still Mercedes-Benz smooth. The E550 is a fantastic car, I'm sure you'll be very happy with it.
Also not sure if you are aware, but the E550 has a few other "extras" that are not available on the E350. First of all, leather upholstry is standard, it has an upgraded digital Thermotronic climate control system (E350 has the Thermatic with manual dials for temperature,) Premium 1 in the E550 also comes with Active Ventilated seats and "comfort" headrests which have adjustable wings. The headrests aren't really functionally better in my opinion, but I like the way they look better than the E350 headrests.
The AIRMATIC is a great system, but I did find that the standard Comfort setting to be a bit too soft and floaty. If you dial it up to AIRMATIC DC Sport 1 or Sport 2 the ride is perfect and responsive yet still Mercedes-Benz smooth. The E550 is a fantastic car, I'm sure you'll be very happy with it.
Also not sure if you are aware, but the E550 has a few other "extras" that are not available on the E350. First of all, leather upholstry is standard, it has an upgraded digital Thermotronic climate control system (E350 has the Thermatic with manual dials for temperature,) Premium 1 in the E550 also comes with Active Ventilated seats and "comfort" headrests which have adjustable wings. The headrests aren't really functionally better in my opinion, but I like the way they look better than the E350 headrests.
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From: Raleigh NC
2007 E63, 2006 C55
RE: E550 Suspension
To add to the other posts, I pretty much never use the "comfort" setting, no lights on console switch. I mostly use "Sport 1", one light on console switch illuminated, and occasionally "Sport 2" when in the mood to really feel the curves. Sport 1 is the best compromise for daily use, at least to my taste.
Agree that comfort is a little soft, but the other settings should make you plenty happy with the suspension.
Post some pics when you get your new wheels.
Agree that comfort is a little soft, but the other settings should make you plenty happy with the suspension.
Post some pics when you get your new wheels.
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From: Huntington NY
S560
After about 17000 milnes I never use anything but sport 2. I don't know if I got used to it or if the suspension softened a little but comfort mode feels like a 70's cadillac. I wish comfort was like sport1 and sport 2 was more of an autocross mode. I find at 80+ mph the car is not firm enough when you throw it some curves or bumps. Is there is a way to firm it up?
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2007 E350 Sport Alabaster White P1 Package
Thanks for the input guys. I'm leaning towards the E550. But I do wonder about the Airmatic. I'm wondering how reliable it is and if it might cause problems down the road. The E350 would not have this problem.
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
I've been shopping, too. I found that the 550 suspension is way too soft also when in comfort. For the kind of driving and the driving feel I prefer, I would only keep it on sport 2. It does seem way soft otherwise.
With that in mind, I thinking I really don't want Airmatic. I wish I could get the 550 without it. So, I'm leaning towards the 350. Plus I can add some Bilstein HDs and springs later on and get things even tighter. Less issues without Airmatic, I'm thinking. But I'll just have to learn to live with a V6.
With that in mind, I thinking I really don't want Airmatic. I wish I could get the 550 without it. So, I'm leaning towards the 350. Plus I can add some Bilstein HDs and springs later on and get things even tighter. Less issues without Airmatic, I'm thinking. But I'll just have to learn to live with a V6.
Last edited by 220S; Sep 23, 2008 at 06:29 PM.
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From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
jmcar1 and 220s, don't let the Airmatic scare you away. It's a fantastic system, it just needs to be set to Sport 2 if you prefer a less cushy ride. I love my car, and the ride is far from bad, but the Sport ride in a E350 with the 18" AMG wheels is a bit harsh--I suspect the Pirelli tires are a main cause. I recently took a rode trip with a friend who has an E320 Bluetec and that ride was so amazing and comfortable. I do live in Jersey though and the roads suck so I am biased.
Last edited by pmb600; Sep 23, 2008 at 08:22 PM.
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
Sure, shocks and struts need to be replaced and gas cartridges can fail, but it's the parts cost and labor (and work/time if you do your own) of Airmatic repair that's at issue here. If I'm driving along and my strut breaks, it's not a huge repair. But when that Airmatic system starts leaking or the pump needs replacing, then it's a whole different story.
I really have nothing against the system itself, but I do fear keeping the car out of warranty. In addition, I personally prefer to tune the suspension myself with my own hardware. I realize the convenience of on board tuning through Airmatic, but for me the factory settings feel like soft, more soft, a little less soft. So, I personally don't like the softness as it is..... I would have the car always in sport 2 anyway.
Wanting Airmatic or not is very subjective, yes. But Airmatic repair I think is very real.
p.s., I'm open if somebody wants to convince me otherwise. Maybe Airmatic can be lived with (?) if I really want the 550 and the V8. But right now, I just feel like I'd prefer to add the Bilstein PSS system or something to improve the handling and ride......wish the 550 had a delete option for Airmatic.
Last edited by 220S; Sep 24, 2008 at 12:44 PM.
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From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
But that doesn't mean that they aren't repairing them at some point. That seems to be the issue from all the research I've done. It's not that the system doesn't work, but that it will need very expensive repair during its life.
Sure, shocks and struts need to be replaced and gas cartridges can fail, but it's the parts cost and labor (and work/time if you do your own) of Airmatic repair that's at issue here. If I'm driving along and my strut breaks, it's not a huge repair. But when that Airmatic system starts leaking or the pump needs replacing, then it's a whole different story.
I really have nothing against the system itself, but I do fear keeping the car out of warranty. In addition, I personally prefer to tune the suspension myself with my own hardware. I realize the convenience of on board tuning through Airmatic, but for me the factory settings feel like soft, more soft, a little less soft. So, I personally don't like the softness as it is..... I would have the car always in sport 2 anyway.
Wanting Airmatic or not is very subjective, yes. But Airmatic repair I think is very real.
p.s., I'm open if somebody wants to convince me otherwise. Maybe Airmatic can be lived with (?) if I really want the 550 and the V8. But right now, I just feel like I'd prefer to add the Bilstein PSS system or something to improve the handling and ride......wish the 550 had a delete option for Airmatic.
Sure, shocks and struts need to be replaced and gas cartridges can fail, but it's the parts cost and labor (and work/time if you do your own) of Airmatic repair that's at issue here. If I'm driving along and my strut breaks, it's not a huge repair. But when that Airmatic system starts leaking or the pump needs replacing, then it's a whole different story.
I really have nothing against the system itself, but I do fear keeping the car out of warranty. In addition, I personally prefer to tune the suspension myself with my own hardware. I realize the convenience of on board tuning through Airmatic, but for me the factory settings feel like soft, more soft, a little less soft. So, I personally don't like the softness as it is..... I would have the car always in sport 2 anyway.
Wanting Airmatic or not is very subjective, yes. But Airmatic repair I think is very real.
p.s., I'm open if somebody wants to convince me otherwise. Maybe Airmatic can be lived with (?) if I really want the 550 and the V8. But right now, I just feel like I'd prefer to add the Bilstein PSS system or something to improve the handling and ride......wish the 550 had a delete option for Airmatic.
The E350 is great, but the E550 has so many nice extras that aren't even available on the E350 that it really feels like a much more substantial car. I love my E350, but they are a dime a dozen. E550s have become very few and far between.
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Since there are some people who think Airmatic is a liability. How many of us here have had arimatic issues?
I have never had issues with the hydraulic suspension on my 126, even though that is a different system.
I have never had issues with the hydraulic suspension on my 126, even though that is a different system.
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From: Sarasota, FL
07' CLK63 designo Graphite/Black; 07' E350 Sport White/Cashmere
jmcar1 and 220s, don't let the Airmatic scare you away. It's a fantastic system, it just needs to be set to Sport 2 if you prefer a less cushy ride. I love my car, and the ride is far from bad, but the Sport ride in a E350 with the 18" AMG wheels is a bit harsh--I suspect the Pirelli tires are a main cause. I recently took a rode trip with a friend who has an E320 Bluetec and that ride was so amazing and comfortable. I do live in Jersey though and the roads suck so I am biased.
