Taleh

Planning a new purchase of softest car: new C-class or new E-class?
which one of these cars has the softest suspension with the smoothest ride?
i mean if i chose E-class with airmatic and 17'' wheels and C-class with comfort suspension and with 16'' wheels, which one of these cars will have softest suspension and smooth ride?

K-A

E-Class hands down. Shouldn't even be a question.

LaicepsYdobon

I have both and just like K-A said it should not even be a question; the E all the way.

lyjw88

Pre-owned S550?

Taleh

i am owning lexus rx 350 2010 now. and i plan to shift to sedan with the softest suspension... i am crazy about driving in silence and comfort )

clmulli

E class! I drove the C class as a loaner while they serviced my car. The drive is stiff and not as smooth as the E.

El Cid

Need to consider Lexus ES and LS, but not the GS models. LS is probably best riding car out there, but pricier than an E unless you go with used. Even then can be pricey.
Best test is take all cars you are considering and go for a minimum 30 minute test drive WITHOUT a salesman talking in your ear all the time. If has to go, tell him/her to sit in back and not talk.
Quietest car out there is probably a Hyundai Genesis, but ride is not nearly as good.
I did test a two year old ES and found it not as comfortable ride as my E class though.
Consumer Guide Auto has some very good and detailed reviews of all cars.

BenzE350

...look at a Lexus ES if that is your most important criteria.

cvinfig

+1

I traded in a Lexus ES for the E350. I liked the Lexus a lot but I wanted something a little sportier.

ngerstman

If you want the airmatic, you must buy the e550, not available in the e350. The e350 luxury with 17 inch rims has a more comfortable ride than the c class. I have driven the c class many times as the loner car. It actually has a very civilized ride, much sportier than the e350 luxury, which drives more like a scaled down s class. I would not characterize the c300 ride as hard. It has a great Mercedes suspension, handles well but absorbs the worst of the road. Regards. Ned.

threeMBs

Fully agree.

To the OP:

based on your question, the answer is clearly E, but based on your criteria (softest car), IMO you realy still want a Lexus (for a complete isolation and luck of road feel) - probably ES350 as was suggested above.

SnakeDoctor

yeah, you might want to consider the Lexus ES or LS

lyjw88

also consider Hyundai Equus if you want something really really comfortable and silent.
Hyundai is really stepping up their game...

ngerstman

I would also agree with the comments about Lexus, more of an old Cadilac kind of ride, but you also get the terrible numb steering as well. Nobody, IMO, makes a suspension as good as Mercedes. Handles and recovers well, but absorbs the worst of the road. Generally, you either get the hard ride of BMW or the cushy ride of Lexus. Mercedes is somewhere in the middle and has balanced some of the attributes of both. Regards. Ned.

K-A

I suggest against the E350 Sport to the O/P. It rides better and more competent/confident than anything on smooth roads, but it gets stiff and "sporty" on rough roads, kind of a Jekyll & Hyde thing.

The C-Class is also a great ride, and like all new Mercs, it feels like a tank, bomb-proof, etc. But it's the sportiest, most nimble, and tossable ride. Also, the W204 was never great at being quiet inside (at least the earlier models). There is some lack of insulation, and many have gotten wind noise (through the windows.... A Loaner I had did just that as well). But it's still a Mercedes, and for the Class, it's still a quiet and comfy enough ride.

If you want simply numb and boring, stay with Lexus. If you want a quiet and luxurious ride, but with European driving-dynamic characteristics and sportiness mixes in, the Benz is your best bet. The non Sport F10 BMW is also closer to Merc and Lexus this time around, but it doesn't quite reach the E in overall driving comfort, or road noise/quietness inside.