Help me to choose the softest suspension
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Help me to choose the softest suspension
I am planing a new purchase of E-class 350. with R17 rims. i love soft and smooth ride. i do not like stiff and sporty ride.
question: whats the difference between normal suspension and airmatic? is there a real difference in the soft ride between airmatic and normal suspension?
what type of suspension do you recommend me to buy a new E-class in order to obtain a softest ride?
thanks in advance for helping me out
question: whats the difference between normal suspension and airmatic? is there a real difference in the soft ride between airmatic and normal suspension?
what type of suspension do you recommend me to buy a new E-class in order to obtain a softest ride?
thanks in advance for helping me out
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W163 ML430, W212 E550, R129 SL320
The airmatic has some adaptive damping settings that adjust according to the road conditions but I believe these are more relevant in sport mode when the car needs to counter body roll when turning.
Airmatic offers one the benefit of being able to drive in a more sporty way because the sport mode is noticeably more harder and better in corners. It also allows the user to raise the car's ride height when driving in snow for instance.
Whether Airmatic in Comfort setting offers any actual technological advantage over the standard non-Airmatic condition, I do not know. But when I tested the E350 and E550 (in Airmatic Comfort), there was no discernible difference.
Perhaps the other forum members can chime in.
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I don't think airmatic is offered on the E350. The Luxury model comes with standard 17's and a softer ride than the Sport. That should work for you but you should drive one to make sure it's the car for you.
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'14 ML350 GONE-'12 GL450/'10 E550/'10 ML350/'09 C300/'07 ML350/'03 E320
It's a moot point unless you are also considering the E550, as mentioned above, Airmatic is not available on the E350 and comfort/sport mode only refers to engine performance/efficiency, not suspension settings. Your only way to choose a different factory suspension setting on the E350 would be to choose between the sport or luxury model. Obviously luxury = smooth/soft
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2011 E550 Sport (traded), 2012 SLK 350; 2013 GL450 on order for OCT delivery
Airmatic DEFINITELY gives a smoother ride in Comfort mode than one will get in an E350. However, it is only available in an E550.
I test drove a luxury E350 before purchasing my E550. There is a significant difference in ride comfort with the E550.
In conclusion, if you want the most comfortable ride you will have to move up to an E550. E550 base cost is several thousand higher than E350 base cost. But, leather upholstery becomes standard and you get Airmatic suspension and a V8 engine with much more power and relatively little difference in gas consumption.
I test drove a luxury E350 before purchasing my E550. There is a significant difference in ride comfort with the E550.
In conclusion, if you want the most comfortable ride you will have to move up to an E550. E550 base cost is several thousand higher than E350 base cost. But, leather upholstery becomes standard and you get Airmatic suspension and a V8 engine with much more power and relatively little difference in gas consumption.
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With that much difference in base price of 350 and 550, you should really think about your priorities. If you did not experience any difference in ride when you test drove the two - that answers your question.
IMO, the biggest difference was the ride itself. I test drove both. I think Airmatic is like driving on a cloud. Or, sailing on land. Is it worth the extra Ks? You decide.
And the standard leather, V8 does not hurt too.
IMO, the biggest difference was the ride itself. I test drove both. I think Airmatic is like driving on a cloud. Or, sailing on land. Is it worth the extra Ks? You decide.
And the standard leather, V8 does not hurt too.
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W163 ML430, W212 E550, R129 SL320
With that much difference in base price of 350 and 550, you should really think about your priorities. If you did not experience any difference in ride when you test drove the two - that answers your question.
IMO, the biggest difference was the ride itself. I test drove both. I think Airmatic is like driving on a cloud. Or, sailing on land. Is it worth the extra Ks? You decide.
And the standard leather, V8 does not hurt too.
IMO, the biggest difference was the ride itself. I test drove both. I think Airmatic is like driving on a cloud. Or, sailing on land. Is it worth the extra Ks? You decide.
And the standard leather, V8 does not hurt too.
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2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Can you explain how airmatic is build and how does it work.?
Does it have coil springs with air springs or only air springs (bags)?
Or is airmatic done using shocks?
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W211 E320 & W212 E550
I don't claim to know nore will I argue about stuff I have no clue about. You should do the same. 
Anyway, follow the thread here, you have a tendency to wonder off.
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W211 E320 & W212 E550
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2016 Audi S8 Plus/ 2011 Mercedes e550 4Matic//Gone:1985 500SEL/2000 e320 4Matic/ 2001 e55 Kleeman
I know for sure. You can adjust the suspension only on the airmatic that comes standard on the e550. The e/s switch which is on both the e350 and the e550 only control the tranny shift points and the gear you start from. The e setting starts in 2nd gear so I'm told. That has been feature on e's for a long time. On my 2000 e320 it was the w/s switch for weather or sport mode. The weather mode started from 2nd gear. If your priority is a comfortable luxurious ride, you can't go wrong with the e350 luxury that comes with 17 inch rims. It has a softer ride than an e550 sport that has 18 inch rims even with the airmatic suspension. The e350 luxury is a great luxury cruiser that reminds me of a scaled down "s" class. It drives like a bigger car than it is. I don't mean that in a bad way. More than enough power, feels like a tank, and very quiet ride with the Michelin tires. The Conti tires are noisier, IMO. I can't comment yet on the ride of an e550 with 17 inch rims yet, although i will be able to in a few days when i get my car back from Mercedes with 17's and Michelins. I had 18's on the car but am switching to the 17's to avoid blowouts and soften the ride. I will let you know my opinion if you care. I would still imagine that the e350 luxury is for you.Regards. Ned.
Last edited by ngerstman; Feb 15, 2011 at 08:09 PM.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
In my experiences, I found the E350 Sport to ride the sportiest (and roughest) of all the E's (E63 not included of course).
If you want the most comfortable suspension'd E350, then go for the "Luxury" model.
If you want the most comfortable W212 available period, go for the E550 (comes with Airmatic, of course) Luxury model.
If you want the most comfortable suspension'd E350, then go for the "Luxury" model.
If you want the most comfortable W212 available period, go for the E550 (comes with Airmatic, of course) Luxury model.
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2011 Porsche 911 Carrera,07 S550. 2010 E350 4matic, 05 Honda Accord V6.
Go with E350 luxury
I have S-class current model, with airmatic, had pot hole damage, it was big pot hole in NYC, then repair cost was very very high. It had 19 AMG wheels.
After that experience, I bought E350 luxury for my wife because I was afraid of repair bills with airmatic. When your airmatic breaks down, you have to change both sides.
For your comport, it is really the wheel size. 17 better than 18 .
We have 17 with comfort and I think the ride is almost same as S-class Sport mode.
Another down side of Airmatic is that you choose S mode or C mode.
The suspension and transmission both are changed at the same time. I always wanted C mode suspension + S mode Transmission, but never be able to do that. Starting 2nd gear is kind of slow response in NYC.
After that experience, I bought E350 luxury for my wife because I was afraid of repair bills with airmatic. When your airmatic breaks down, you have to change both sides.
For your comport, it is really the wheel size. 17 better than 18 .
We have 17 with comfort and I think the ride is almost same as S-class Sport mode.
Another down side of Airmatic is that you choose S mode or C mode.
The suspension and transmission both are changed at the same time. I always wanted C mode suspension + S mode Transmission, but never be able to do that. Starting 2nd gear is kind of slow response in NYC.
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2011 E550 Sport (traded), 2012 SLK 350; 2013 GL450 on order for OCT delivery
Another down side of Airmatic is that you choose S mode or C mode.
The suspension and transmission both are changed at the same time. I always wanted C mode suspension + S mode Transmission, but never be able to do that. Starting 2nd gear is kind of slow response in NYC.
The suspension and transmission both are changed at the same time. I always wanted C mode suspension + S mode Transmission, but never be able to do that. Starting 2nd gear is kind of slow response in NYC.
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2011 mercedes e350 sedan 2010 Toyota Tacoma access 4x4
Thanks, it is the E550 that I am concerned about. The e350 has a setting that controls only the transmission (the "e" ecomomy button causes the vehicle to start off in second gear)
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'14 ML350 GONE-'12 GL450/'10 E550/'10 ML350/'09 C300/'07 ML350/'03 E320
The sport/comfort settings for the airmatic suspension and the sport/comfort button for the transmission are 2 seperate things.
The c/s button that comes with all cars are for transmission settings only (in c mode, transmission starts in 2nd gear, in s mode, starts with 1st gear and I believe holds the revs longer), this meant for fuel efficiency.
The sport/comfort button that comes ONLY with the airmatic adjusts the suspension, the car lowers with sport setting and raises with comfort setting.
The c/s button that comes with all cars are for transmission settings only (in c mode, transmission starts in 2nd gear, in s mode, starts with 1st gear and I believe holds the revs longer), this meant for fuel efficiency.
The sport/comfort button that comes ONLY with the airmatic adjusts the suspension, the car lowers with sport setting and raises with comfort setting.
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2011 mercedes e350 sedan 2010 Toyota Tacoma access 4x4
I know for sure. You can adjust the suspension only on the airmatic that comes standard on the e550. The e/s switch which is on both the e350 and the e550 only control the tranny shift points and the gear you start from. The e setting starts in 2nd gear so I'm told. That has been feature on e's for a long time. On my 2000 e320 it was the w/s switch for weather or sport mode. The weather mode started from 2nd gear. If your priority is a comfortable luxurious ride, you can't go wrong with the e350 luxury that comes with 17 inch rims. It has a softer ride than an e550 sport that has 18 inch rims even with the airmatic suspension. The e350 luxury is a great luxury cruiser that reminds me of a scaled down "s" class. It drives like a bigger car than it is. I don't mean that in a bad way. More than enough power, feels like a tank, and very quiet ride with the Michelin tires. The Conti tires are noisier, IMO. I can't comment yet on the ride of an e550 with 17 inch rims yet, although i will be able to in a few days when i get my car back from Mercedes with 17's and Michelins. I had 18's on the car but am switching to the 17's to avoid blowouts and soften the ride. I will let you know my opinion if you care. I would still imagine that the e350 luxury is for you.Regards. Ned.
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From: SoCal
'14 ML350 GONE-'12 GL450/'10 E550/'10 ML350/'09 C300/'07 ML350/'03 E320
You can't compare the E sedan and coupe, they are built on different platforms, the E coupe is built on the C platform. I love the C, it feels solid and tight in the corners (with the 18" wheels) and found that the E350 coupe also drives tighter and quicker than the sedan, I imagine an E550 coupe with an even better suspension and much more power is an awesome sport car to drive.
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Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Yeah, the Coupe and Sedan are totally different (obvious linkages aside).
The Coupe is a C-Class underneath, so it'll drive like one, with suspension and dampening, etc. R&D put into it to appropriate it better to the "E" name.
The Coupe is a C-Class underneath, so it'll drive like one, with suspension and dampening, etc. R&D put into it to appropriate it better to the "E" name.
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From: Stamford, CT
2011 mercedes e350 sedan 2010 Toyota Tacoma access 4x4
You can't compare the E sedan and coupe, they are built on different platforms, the E coupe is built on the C platform. I love the C, it feels solid and tight in the corners (with the 18" wheels) and found that the E350 coupe also drives tighter and quicker than the sedan, I imagine an E550 coupe with an even better suspension and much more power is an awesome sport car to drive.
