Hi all,

i am planning a new purchase. please help me

Which car has the softest suspension and smoothest ride? ES350 or MB E-class 350?

Do you really need three different threads for basically the same question? As mentioned multiple times in your second thread, the Lexus ES350 is the way to go if you're looking for the softest, smoothest ride. It wins that battle over any flavor of the E-class.

its one way to increase your posts counter

Test drive both of them throughly. The tires have a lot to do with the ride too. Don't just go by what we say.

dear friends,

thanks for helping me out.

is ES350 even softer than E550 airmatic?

I'm not sure what your obsession is with "soft" suspensions. Soft doesn't mean more comfortable or better neccessarily. In the opinion of most people on this forum, the suspension of the Lexus es350 would be **** as opposed to a great comfortable suspension on a Mercedes such as the e350 luxury. You get what you pay for. The e350 is a much more expensive car and feels that way. Enough. Regards. Ned.

Check out consumer guide automotive. They rate the ride of a 2011 es350 as a 7/10. They rate the 2010 E350 sport sedan as a 7/10 as well. So obviously real close between those two. But you may be able to get a better ride with the luxury e350 if your willing to go that route. The es350 I doubt would compare to the 550's airmatic in comfort.

The Acura RL also has a soft suspension.








p.s. I have no idea if thats true or not. I just wanted to see if you would start another thread asking if the RL's suspension is softer than the E-class.
yes, yes, I know that is trollish of me but I couldnt resist

I wonder how many threads it will take before people stop trying to answer something that cannot possibly be answered, I mean WTH is a soft ride? Buy the car you want and sit on a soft pillow.

I've driven both back to back a few times (my Mom has an ES). The ES feels softer, flimsier, and less sporty.

The E feels like an iron bull compared to it. Much more secure and solid feeling, more substantial, heavier feeling (in a good way, i.e substantial and luxurious), and more dynamic and sporty riding.

As for purely "soft", the ES wins. As for purely luxurious and comfortable and cozy, the E wins, that's the benefit of having a dynamic luxury ride.

Buy a Buick.

Have to agree. If you want softness -- there are better cars for that.

New Buicks have jumped on the Sport wagon a bit too, as I don't think they ride like the Buick's of old.

Get an 80's Eldorado! Like riding on a couch on a cloud!

This is such an individual thing that it can only be answered by the person after doing long test drives over multiple road surfaces. Make sure seat angle and lumbar adjustment is set for you.
Tires do matter. IMO Michellins ride harder than many other brands.
I drove a two year old ES350 last year and was not all that impressed with the ride. However, it was probably "softer" than my 2010 E350 Luxury version.
Consummer Reports dropped its rating of the E350 primarily because of the ride.
One factor is an ES is a whole lot less costly than an E550 with air suspension.
No European car is going to ride like an Asian car. While you are at it, try a Cadillac CTS.

Consumer Reports Lists the 2011 E as Recommended. The reason it was not Recommended in 2010 was because it was the first year of an all new model in the US.

If you want a pleasant/soft/comfortable ride try the current model of the Cadillac DTS (the car was redesigned in 2006 and has basically not changed since then). It is not like the Cadillacs of old but very similar to the airmatic ride of a Mercedes S550. I traded a 2006 DTS in on my 2008 S550; so, I am talking from personal experience. Although I like the Mercedes better because to me it is more luxurious, the Cadillac DTS is a better buy for your money. Better move fast though because 2011 or 2012 will be the last year they make them. Another point: my 2006 DTS was trouble free; no issues during the 2 1/2 years of owning it.

Actually I was speaking of the test scores for the 2010 vs. the previously tested 2007 model, not whether or not recommeneded. Feb. 2010 issue reports on '10 model and it scored 79 vs. 88 for the 07 model when reviewed in the Nov. '07 issue. 2010 review specifically stated the ride was not as good as before - in their opinion.
On the positive side, CR now reports E class as having much above average reliability

Thanks for clarifying. CR is the only publication that rates the ride and handling of the W212 inferior to the W211. Most review I have read have the W212 superior in ride and handling. Go figure.

I have an E350 Luxury with soft suspension and 17" wheels. It is very supple. I would not saynit is SUPER soft but it does eat up chatter bumps and slowing down over railroad tracks is not required. At the same time I have never felt I was driving a boat.

The reason for that is the W212 they tested was the standard-in-USA Sport Package, while the W211 they tested, was what was standard for the 211: Non Sport.

The 212 definitely gives a better ride than the 211 when comparing "apples to apples". Handling is also a lot better in the 212. Statistically I think they're very similar, but steering feel, and steering accuracy/confidence is improved.

Interesting. I did not realize that they tested the sport version. That would certainly explain the reults CR obtained. I have the Luxury version and find the ride just about perfect for my tastes. The Bluetec sport uses 17 inch wheels (same as Luxury although different spokes) and does not have its suspension lowered like the gas versions. Even so, I noticed the sport Blutec to be firmer at low speeds (almost bouncy like a BMW). I would think that with the 18 inch wheels and lowered suspension, the Sport gassers would be firmer still.