Steering: 350 vs. 550, 4M vs. RWD, Luxury vs. Sport, W211 vs. W212
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2007 E350
Steering: 350 vs. 550, 4M vs. RWD, Luxury vs. Sport, W211 vs. W212
One thing that's troubled me *slightly* in test drives is that the steering on several of the 550 4M Sport's is that it's seemed too loose for me. I'm coming from a '07 350 4M Luxury. I'm not sure what's causing the looseness -- the W212, the Sport, or the 550. :-)
I tested a 350 4M Luxury W212 yesterday that felt a little tighter -- which would seem to exclude the W212 aspect -- but the salesman said Luxury's are usually looser than Sport's.
I'm considering going into a '11 550 4M Luxury -- unfortunately, can't find one to test drive anywhere. If the Luxury's are looser than the Sport's, I'm worried that it might be even looser from what I've been test driving in the 550's.
I tested a 350 4M Luxury W212 yesterday that felt a little tighter -- which would seem to exclude the W212 aspect -- but the salesman said Luxury's are usually looser than Sport's.
I'm considering going into a '11 550 4M Luxury -- unfortunately, can't find one to test drive anywhere. If the Luxury's are looser than the Sport's, I'm worried that it might be even looser from what I've been test driving in the 550's.
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
One thing that's troubled me *slightly* in test drives is that the steering on several of the 550 4M Sport's is that it's seemed too loose for me. I'm coming from a '07 350 4M Luxury. I'm not sure what's causing the looseness -- the W212, the Sport, or the 550. :-)
I tested a 350 4M Luxury W212 yesterday that felt a little tighter -- which would seem to exclude the W212 aspect -- but the salesman said Luxury's are usually looser than Sport's.
I'm considering going into a '11 550 4M Luxury -- unfortunately, can't find one to test drive anywhere. If the Luxury's are looser than the Sport's, I'm worried that it might be even looser from what I've been test driving in the 550's.
I tested a 350 4M Luxury W212 yesterday that felt a little tighter -- which would seem to exclude the W212 aspect -- but the salesman said Luxury's are usually looser than Sport's.
I'm considering going into a '11 550 4M Luxury -- unfortunately, can't find one to test drive anywhere. If the Luxury's are looser than the Sport's, I'm worried that it might be even looser from what I've been test driving in the 550's.
What do you mean with "loose steering"? Certainly there is nothing loose in front suspension / steering linkage.
If you mean how well the car responds to steering input you need to make sure the cars you compare have exactly the same tire size and tires on them. Otherwise comparison is useless.
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From: Staten Island, NY
2023 GLE 450 4Matic; Past: 2019 GLS 450; 2011 E550; 2007 E63; 2003 E500; 1999 E430
When I tested both W212 4Matic sports, the E350 and E550, I noticed the looseness, or for that matter lightness, when I got in the car and was leaving the parking lot. Perhaps this was a natural feeling given the fact that I am driving an E63. However, once I picked up speed the steering became tighter and I felt I was in complete control with the feel of the road. It may be a little lighter when you leave the gas station, inch up at a stop sign, or parallel park. I wonder if it is that way by design.
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2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
When I tested both W212 4Matic sports, the E350 and E550, I noticed the looseness, or for that matter lightness, when I got in the car and was leaving the parking lot. Perhaps this was a natural feeling given the fact that I am driving an E63. However, once I picked up speed the steering became tighter and I felt I was in complete control with the feel of the road. It may be a little lighter when you leave the gas station, inch up at a stop sign, or parallel park. I wonder if it is that way by design.
Yes, it is speed sensitive power steering. With slow speed when, for example, parking the car moving it slow and making full turns power steering gives the maximum steering help but when you are up to speed on highway steering help is reduced for better road feel.
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2007 E350
Arrie -- A couple of things: It felt like relatively little force from my hands would turn the wheel, and secondly, it felt like you had to turn a full quarter or half turn of the wheel to move the car the same as a 5 or 10 degree turn of the wheel on my E350.
This is obviously preferable to both a larger force and a larger required turn, but still a little awkward for me.
baldrad: Did you notice any difference between the 350 and 550 sports, or were the comparable?
This is obviously preferable to both a larger force and a larger required turn, but still a little awkward for me.
baldrad: Did you notice any difference between the 350 and 550 sports, or were the comparable?
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Arrie -- A couple of things: It felt like relatively little force from my hands would turn the wheel, and secondly, it felt like you had to turn a full quarter or half turn of the wheel to move the car the same as a 5 or 10 degree turn of the wheel on my E350.
This is obviously preferable to both a larger force and a larger required turn, but still a little awkward for me.
baldrad: Did you notice any difference between the 350 and 550 sports, or were the comparable?
This is obviously preferable to both a larger force and a larger required turn, but still a little awkward for me.
baldrad: Did you notice any difference between the 350 and 550 sports, or were the comparable?
Well, like I said tires mean a lot for steering behavior...
It could also be that 550 has higher steering gear ratio as it has a bigger mass (engine) in front but the difference you explain does not make sense. A 1/4 turn is 90 degrees and half turn is 180 degrees. You say it felt like you had to turn steering wheel 90 - 180 degrees on 550 to make same amount of turn as 5 - 10 degrees on a 350.
Was you driving sharp corners with speed?
The only two ways I can see you experience steering difference that you describe (surely not quite as big as the numbers above suggest) is that the 550 indeed had a problem with steering or front suspension linkage (not likely) or the tires in front were severely underinflated or otherwise poor quality, which also should be very unlikely.
But again, if your 550 had 18" rims (don't know if they even come with this small rims) and 350 has 20" it makes a difference how it turns.
Last edited by Arrie; Nov 14, 2010 at 11:40 AM.
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From: NM
2023 AMG EQS
Uploaded this at youtube just for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IIFAa0fmHM
Got the video from here http://www4.mercedes-benz.com/manual...nce/index.html
This is only available as standard in 4matics for the US market.
I think it was standard for all W211s.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IIFAa0fmHM
Got the video from here http://www4.mercedes-benz.com/manual...nce/index.html
This is only available as standard in 4matics for the US market.
I think it was standard for all W211s.
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
According to MB, the steering ratio on both is the same. 
But the weight difference between the 350 and the 550 is a little bit over 200 lbs. Much of that is in the front (motor.) You may feel a front end weight difference.
The MBs do have a more numb feel to the steering compared to some other brands. It's not exactly a tactile feeling car, nor was it designed as such.
The AMGs have a different steering ratio (much tighter feel.)
BMW has gone with electric steering instead of a pump and it'll only be time before MB goes with one, too. It's an odd feeling and takes a lot of time to get used to.
But the weight difference between the 350 and the 550 is a little bit over 200 lbs. Much of that is in the front (motor.) You may feel a front end weight difference.
The MBs do have a more numb feel to the steering compared to some other brands. It's not exactly a tactile feeling car, nor was it designed as such.
The AMGs have a different steering ratio (much tighter feel.)
BMW has gone with electric steering instead of a pump and it'll only be time before MB goes with one, too. It's an odd feeling and takes a lot of time to get used to.
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Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
