W211 Rough tide??!
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From: McLean, VA
S4
W211 Rough tide??!
Anyone w/a 320 w/o the airmatic think the ride is a little rough (I can feel every little irregularity in the road, and speedbumps-- 
)
I've felt like this since I got it, but I feel like its getting worse?? Suspension problem, or maybe I need some new tires??! Anyone agree that the ride is rough for an e-class?! TIA
) I've felt like this since I got it, but I feel like its getting worse?? Suspension problem, or maybe I need some new tires??! Anyone agree that the ride is rough for an e-class?! TIA
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
Rough Riders
I've been griping since last November (after I made my first long drive in our E500, down Hwy 99 to SoCal) about how rough and noisy the car is over patched concrete, expansion joints, etc. It's not what I would expect from a luxury car, even one with "sport sedan" pretensions. Our previous car, an E39 BMW, was the real deal in a sport sedan and it had a quieter, smoother ride.
The usual advice here is to get different tires. So, assuming only that (a) this advice is correct, and (b) you choose the correct replacement tires (ask 10 people and you'll get 10 different recommendations), and (c) you're OK with spending $600 or $1000 for the privilege of throwing away your OEM tires, which are probably in near-new condition, the ride issue may be solved.
The usual advice here is to get different tires. So, assuming only that (a) this advice is correct, and (b) you choose the correct replacement tires (ask 10 people and you'll get 10 different recommendations), and (c) you're OK with spending $600 or $1000 for the privilege of throwing away your OEM tires, which are probably in near-new condition, the ride issue may be solved.
Out Of Control!!
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
In my opinion, not so much rough as noisy. I have original equipment Michelins and although the ride is smooth and for the most part very quiet, on rough surfaces there is substantial road noise transmitted from the tires. Luckily many surfaces here in the Phoenix metro area are being resurfaced with rubber based asphalt making for a spectacular ride experience. I know this doesn’t solve your problem, but wanted to chime in anyway.
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From: McLean, VA
S4
28s;
sike, but I used to have 19s on Michelim PS and that actually IMPROVED the ride compared to stock (stock tires need to be thrown out bcs they are so sh#@ty), but now it feels like its getting worse
sike, but I used to have 19s on Michelim PS and that actually IMPROVED the ride compared to stock (stock tires need to be thrown out bcs they are so sh#@ty), but now it feels like its getting worse
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
I haven't noticed this harshness at all. I had a '02 5 series with the sports package and talking about loud and rough! I think the ride in the E is really nice, quiet and I love the different airmatic settings. It could be your tires though. I know as my tires got older on the 5 I thought I needed ear plugs... It was really embarrasing.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Warren, NJ
'05 E320 CDI;'04 S2k;'94 Supra TT;'10 QX56;'38 Buick;98 Port City Offset Late Model
Since we don't have our car yet I can only comment from test drives (several). I found the airmatic with performance tires banged into every ridge, such as railway tracks. In our E39 on TouringContacts (and in my 04 S2000 and 94 Supra TT on Bilsteins and S03s) the railways tracks are virtually not there.
The standard E320 was better, but not perfect. The 2 E320 CDIs I've driven were both very close to the E39, more so than the E60 with standard suspension.
The standard E320 was better, but not perfect. The 2 E320 CDIs I've driven were both very close to the E39, more so than the E60 with standard suspension.
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From: California
2014 C250 sport
This is just my opinion.......I think the W211 is very quiet and smooth, at least compared with the last generation E class..sitting in the back seat in the W210 on the freeway is not a relaxing experience,there's tons of road noise coming through the rear tires and suspension, and the sitting in the front isn't much better.Also, the ride quality on the W210 is worse than the W211 because there's a lot of booming and shuddering over big bumps and potholes.
The W211 does have a firm ride, but it's not uncomfortable or harsh, at all. But the noise levels and ride quality could be improved because even the "entry level" C-class(non sport models) have equal isolation.....so, Mercedes could have done a better job of the ride quality and noise levels in the W211, as it is positioned above the C-class and deserves a quieter and smoother ride...
The W211 does have a firm ride, but it's not uncomfortable or harsh, at all. But the noise levels and ride quality could be improved because even the "entry level" C-class(non sport models) have equal isolation.....so, Mercedes could have done a better job of the ride quality and noise levels in the W211, as it is positioned above the C-class and deserves a quieter and smoother ride...
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From: McLean, VA
S4
Originally Posted by akbro93704
the "entry level" C-class(non sport models) have equal isolation.....so, Mercedes could have done a better job of the ride quality and noise levels in the W211, as it is positioned above the C-class and deserves a quieter and smoother ride...
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W211, W212
Hello,
I am having the same problem. I just bought an E240 Avantgarde w/o airmatic, and have been quite dissapointed with its ride. I owned an E280 Elegance W210 previously and found both cars to drive very differently. With the E240, it pick up every small inperfection on the road and would have a "bottoming out" feel if it hits a slightly shaper bump, even at very low speed (20mph). Furthermore, there are many plastic sqeeking noises from all over.
At first, I thought it was due to the original low profile 245/45/17 tires, so I changed to 225/55/16 Michilin Energy and 16 inch wheels. The ride became better, but still very harsh.
I then brought the E240 back to the MB dealer several times and they are not able to fix the sqeeking noise nor the ride issue.
So I went to test drove new Lexus GS300, new BMW 525 and new BMW 730 earlier today, just to get a feeling on the ride of the other compatible cars. I drove them really hard over the largest bumps I can find. Surprisingly, all 3 of those cars would just glide over the bump which my E would tumble. 730 being the best, very impressive.
I am considering trading my E240 in for a 730. But I would like to get some opinions first. Do you think there may be some problems with the suspensions, or this is typical for non-airmatic Es? I had the suspension checked by MB, but they do not find any problem. Also, they told me the latest generations of E and S class console would have many sqeaking noises due to the type of plastic used. I am not sure if this is true.
Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I am having the same problem. I just bought an E240 Avantgarde w/o airmatic, and have been quite dissapointed with its ride. I owned an E280 Elegance W210 previously and found both cars to drive very differently. With the E240, it pick up every small inperfection on the road and would have a "bottoming out" feel if it hits a slightly shaper bump, even at very low speed (20mph). Furthermore, there are many plastic sqeeking noises from all over.
At first, I thought it was due to the original low profile 245/45/17 tires, so I changed to 225/55/16 Michilin Energy and 16 inch wheels. The ride became better, but still very harsh.
I then brought the E240 back to the MB dealer several times and they are not able to fix the sqeeking noise nor the ride issue.
So I went to test drove new Lexus GS300, new BMW 525 and new BMW 730 earlier today, just to get a feeling on the ride of the other compatible cars. I drove them really hard over the largest bumps I can find. Surprisingly, all 3 of those cars would just glide over the bump which my E would tumble. 730 being the best, very impressive.
I am considering trading my E240 in for a 730. But I would like to get some opinions first. Do you think there may be some problems with the suspensions, or this is typical for non-airmatic Es? I had the suspension checked by MB, but they do not find any problem. Also, they told me the latest generations of E and S class console would have many sqeaking noises due to the type of plastic used. I am not sure if this is true.
Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 78
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From: CHESTERFIELD U.K.
E320 CDI W211
Ride Quality 211 V 210
I have a W211 E320 CDI which I have now owned from new just over 2 years.
The car is fited with AIROMATIC SUSPENSION......I took the car back to the show room and complained about the ride quality just after 2 weeks of ownership.
My previous car was a W210 E320 CDI which I owned for 18 months prior.
I complained about the ride especialy on uneven (bumpy) road surfaces saying that the car was NO WAY AS GOOD AS THE W210.
I was given a loaner with exact same spec to test drive and found NO DIFFERENCE.
I have spoken to other guys here in the U.K. both with and W/O Airomatic who have previously owned the W210 and all have said the same......THE RIDE IS VERY POOR on uneven road sufaces.
The car had 2 rear shocks fitted at 20,000 miles (fluid leak) still very little improvement.
Ok thats my 2 cents worth now with 24,000 miles no other problems.
Les.....Chesterfield U.K.
The car is fited with AIROMATIC SUSPENSION......I took the car back to the show room and complained about the ride quality just after 2 weeks of ownership.
My previous car was a W210 E320 CDI which I owned for 18 months prior.
I complained about the ride especialy on uneven (bumpy) road surfaces saying that the car was NO WAY AS GOOD AS THE W210.
I was given a loaner with exact same spec to test drive and found NO DIFFERENCE.
I have spoken to other guys here in the U.K. both with and W/O Airomatic who have previously owned the W210 and all have said the same......THE RIDE IS VERY POOR on uneven road sufaces.
The car had 2 rear shocks fitted at 20,000 miles (fluid leak) still very little improvement.
Ok thats my 2 cents worth now with 24,000 miles no other problems.
Les.....Chesterfield U.K.
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
Has anyone driven both an E500 and an E320/E350 without Airmatic? I've followed the discussions of ride quality over the past year or so because of my disappointment with the ride quality of our E500. I can't prove it with numbers, but it seems to me that E320/E350 drivers are more happy with their ride quality than E500 drivers. Both the E320/E350 and the E500 have steel springs (yes, true) but M-B seems to have gone overboard on the firmness thing in calibrating the E500's air suspension components. Or, at any rate, they got it too firm on the '03. Maybe the later E500s are more compliant ... On my car, "III" is ridiculously harsh, "II" is about as stiff as a car should ever be in aggressive driving, and "I" is what "II" should be.
M-B seems to have assumed that all they had to do to make a sport sedan was to tie down the suspension so tight that body lean was eliminated and, voila, primo corner-carver. Uh, it's not quite that easy, volks. It takes, say, 75 years of hammering up and down the Bavarian Alps.
M-B seems to have assumed that all they had to do to make a sport sedan was to tie down the suspension so tight that body lean was eliminated and, voila, primo corner-carver. Uh, it's not quite that easy, volks. It takes, say, 75 years of hammering up and down the Bavarian Alps.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: long island , ny
2016 G63 ; 981 boxster GTS
airmatic part of the problem
i have a sale of my car pending, and in part due to the airmatic.
the car performs well under high speed conditions however my chances to display it were not often enough.
i felt the ride was unsatisfactory under low speed conditions. any 'laterally' uneven bump (say, driver side or pass side only) would lead to me becoming a bobble head doll for a few seconds. the vague differences in the settings werent entertaining enough to make up for it.
other reasons for selling were all sort of ride-comfort related. the delayed throttle, touchy brakes, overly tight steering (can anyone else here keep the damn wheel straight for more than 100 feet??) , and the susp made street and slow driving an uncomfortable experience for me.
wife was against selling but she came to feel the same way when i offered her the car for her use.
this is all jmho and it did take a few months for all this to set in, but it was enough for me to unload the car. miss my w210.
j.
the car performs well under high speed conditions however my chances to display it were not often enough.
i felt the ride was unsatisfactory under low speed conditions. any 'laterally' uneven bump (say, driver side or pass side only) would lead to me becoming a bobble head doll for a few seconds. the vague differences in the settings werent entertaining enough to make up for it.
other reasons for selling were all sort of ride-comfort related. the delayed throttle, touchy brakes, overly tight steering (can anyone else here keep the damn wheel straight for more than 100 feet??) , and the susp made street and slow driving an uncomfortable experience for me.
wife was against selling but she came to feel the same way when i offered her the car for her use.
this is all jmho and it did take a few months for all this to set in, but it was enough for me to unload the car. miss my w210.
j.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11
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From: San Diego
E500
E500 ride quality
I leave mine in sport mode and don't have any problems with harshness even with the standard 17" 245 width wheels. It's probably nothing near as the S4 suspension in terms of harshness. I had use to drive the newer A4 with sport suspension that shared lots of components from the old S4 and felt that it was extremely stiff. The E however is alot heavier car and if you hit a pothole then you are definitely going to feel it.
If you want a cushy ride then get a Cady or Lexus that's totally disconnected from the road.
If you want a cushy ride then get a Cady or Lexus that's totally disconnected from the road.
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W211, W212
Originally Posted by Falcon7
I leave mine in sport mode and don't have any problems with harshness even with the standard 17" 245 width wheels. It's probably nothing near as the S4 suspension in terms of harshness. I had use to drive the newer A4 with sport suspension that shared lots of components from the old S4 and felt that it was extremely stiff. The E however is alot heavier car and if you hit a pothole then you are definitely going to feel it.
If you want a cushy ride then get a Cady or Lexus that's totally disconnected from the road.
If you want a cushy ride then get a Cady or Lexus that's totally disconnected from the road.
Have you driven a 5 series? It has a almost Lexus like cushy ride, and the handling is much better than the E also, best of both worlds. The great handling is probably due to its active steering system and BMW's suspension tuning experience. I am very impress with its ride. Drive it over speed bump or pathholes, you almost don't feel a thing.
I am considering taking out the Sport Suspension in my E, just restore back to the normal shock. Hope it ride better over the rough.
Junior Member
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W211, W212
Originally Posted by Barry45RPM
Don't all E5's come with Airmatic (in the USA)?
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W211, W212
Originally Posted by jago1244
i have a sale of my car pending, and in part due to the airmatic.
the car performs well under high speed conditions however my chances to display it were not often enough.
i felt the ride was unsatisfactory under low speed conditions. any 'laterally' uneven bump (say, driver side or pass side only) would lead to me becoming a bobble head doll for a few seconds. the vague differences in the settings werent entertaining enough to make up for it.
other reasons for selling were all sort of ride-comfort related. the delayed throttle, touchy brakes, overly tight steering (can anyone else here keep the damn wheel straight for more than 100 feet??) , and the susp made street and slow driving an uncomfortable experience for me.
wife was against selling but she came to feel the same way when i offered her the car for her use.
this is all jmho and it did take a few months for all this to set in, but it was enough for me to unload the car. miss my w210.
j.
the car performs well under high speed conditions however my chances to display it were not often enough.
i felt the ride was unsatisfactory under low speed conditions. any 'laterally' uneven bump (say, driver side or pass side only) would lead to me becoming a bobble head doll for a few seconds. the vague differences in the settings werent entertaining enough to make up for it.
other reasons for selling were all sort of ride-comfort related. the delayed throttle, touchy brakes, overly tight steering (can anyone else here keep the damn wheel straight for more than 100 feet??) , and the susp made street and slow driving an uncomfortable experience for me.
wife was against selling but she came to feel the same way when i offered her the car for her use.
this is all jmho and it did take a few months for all this to set in, but it was enough for me to unload the car. miss my w210.
j.
I suggest you test drive a 5 or 7 series. I tried them a few days ago and am very impressed with the handling and ride comfort. The only downside is the lower quality plastic feel in the 5 series. 7 Series is almost perfect in every espect.
I am considering switching to a 7 series, the only problem is only the Long Wheelbase version is available here, which will make me look like the driver of a limo
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W211, W212
Originally Posted by DWP
Has anyone driven both an E500 and an E320/E350 without Airmatic? I've followed the discussions of ride quality over the past year or so because of my disappointment with the ride quality of our E500. I can't prove it with numbers, but it seems to me that E320/E350 drivers are more happy with their ride quality than E500 drivers. Both the E320/E350 and the E500 have steel springs (yes, true) but M-B seems to have gone overboard on the firmness thing in calibrating the E500's air suspension components. Or, at any rate, they got it too firm on the '03. Maybe the later E500s are more compliant ... On my car, "III" is ridiculously harsh, "II" is about as stiff as a car should ever be in aggressive driving, and "I" is what "II" should be.
M-B seems to have assumed that all they had to do to make a sport sedan was to tie down the suspension so tight that body lean was eliminated and, voila, primo corner-carver. Uh, it's not quite that easy, volks. It takes, say, 75 years of hammering up and down the Bavarian Alps.
M-B seems to have assumed that all they had to do to make a sport sedan was to tie down the suspension so tight that body lean was eliminated and, voila, primo corner-carver. Uh, it's not quite that easy, volks. It takes, say, 75 years of hammering up and down the Bavarian Alps.
My E came with the same side tire that your came with (245/45/17), and Coil Spring version of Sport Suspension (Airmatic is not available in Thailand). Anyway, I changed the tires/wheels to 225/55/17, and the ride is much improved overall. The steering is much more responsive. The ride is a lot less bumpy, and the car accelerate much faster. I drove it fast on twisty highway as well and I don't think the high speed stability is compromised by the higher profile tire. It almost feel like a different car.
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11
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From: San Diego
E500
I have the airmatic option so personally I like the sport mode when driving by myself as well as comfort mode when I drive the family. The 5 series does have a nice suspension and manages the weight very well (close 50/50) but styling interior/exterior is not a winner for me. Also, the E500 has more torque and 0-60mph in less than 6 seconds. I would have to go to the 545 to get comparable numbers which cost a bit more.
Sorry to hear that prices over there are so ridiculously above what others pay. My E500 with almost every option was only in the low $50K (scored a nice deal because it had little less than 3K on the OD and a 2005).
Sorry to hear that prices over there are so ridiculously above what others pay. My E500 with almost every option was only in the low $50K (scored a nice deal because it had little less than 3K on the OD and a 2005).
