I am aware that I have the Sport Package (and thanks to MBUSA, even if I wanted a Luxury Package, it's almost impossible to find), and I will pick a Sport every time, for its aesthetic qualities to my eyes.

But it shouldn't be unheard of to engineer an *E-Class*'s suspension to sit slightly low, and ride relatively firm, yet still absorb bumps and ride well when the going gets rough (yes I know, "Airmatic" is probably the cure, but you shouldn't have to go Air-Ride to get those qualities).

On smooth roads, this car rides brilliantly. Strong as an Ox, and has just enough "float" to keep things nice and smooth, but firm and tight as well, so you know it can handle some pushing, if need be. However, when the roads get bumpy and rough (and they do, in todays ravaged roads era), it rides like crap. Completely bumpy, lots of road chatter, lots of putting the structure to the test. It's unbefitting of an E-Class when you have to cringe when rough roads are on the way. My Chevy Malibu absorbs rough roads much better.

I'm under 30, and not too long ago, had a slammed Mustang GT with a 15" subwoofer and a no-muffler exhaust setup, so I can imagine that the general E demographic won't find this too kindly either. I think that MBUSA is shoving out the Sport Package as a free option to get the popping-smoke factor going, and gain sales, but I have a feeling that this may diminish Sales in the long run, as much of the E demographic will want something less fussy over rough patches, and something that won't bend rims so commonly, etc.

I will say, this is the #1 and virtually only thing that I am unhappy with about my car (aside from an annoying chatter/squeak at idle, which I need to get the Dealer to hopefully find and fix), enough so that it makes me question whether I'd want to keep it for the long haul (if I did buy it out after the Lease).

Note to M-B: The concept of a Sport suspension is to make a car handle like a Sports Car, which an E-Class appropriately doesn't do. Engineering a suspension TO RIDE HARSHLY ONLY FOR THE SAKE OF RIDING HARSHLY does *NOT* make a car "Sporty".

Sorry for the long post, had to rant!

Oh, and I will add: My AMG Sport Packaged W211 rode similar, but worse (the W212 keeps the same "Sport" concept, but improves it all around pretty well). The only thing the W212 does worse is I hear slightly more wheel-chatter when going over rough patches, but minimal.

 

You read my mind. Agreed 100%. Sometimes I think about downgrading to 17" to get a better ride.

 

That would probably help a lot.

In all honesty, and I really hate to say this, because I really love this car, but the suspension geometry/dynamics are just extremely unrefined and unresolved over rough roads. It's not a very well done example of a Sport suspension on a Luxury car at all. As incredibly strong as this cars chassis/frame are, it's such a bitter moment when you have to cringe because you can hear the cars structure being put to the test and practically flexing because the suspension setup doesn't know how to absorb harshness.

I can't emphasize enough as to how amazingly this car rides on good road, however, it's like Mr. Hyde comes out to play when you encounter a some little rough patches.

 

Coulda sworn the W211 ride was smoother than the W212 when things start getting bumpy.

On a side note... Think we got similar taste in cars... I have my W212, and before that I had a W211 and before that a Fort Mustang GT.

 

It was worse when I got the car at first but I lowered the tire pressure to 32,33. I wonder if the "Agility Control" suspension thing really works or it might be just a marketing term for e350s...

 

Hmm, I was thinking the SAME thing, the only reason I said my W211 rode worse is because I looked at a post I made when I first got my W212, and I said the whole "this one rides better, but more wheel chatter is prevalent over rough roads" thing. But I agree, the 212 is wearing me down so fast over rough roads, I keep thinking my 211 rode better.

LOL, we got some good taste! What are we getting next?

Oh, and I LOWERED my PSI to 32/35, which is lower than some people here have as well!

 

My W211 w/ the sport package was also lowered w/ H&Rs and had the same wheels I am using now.

I know for a fact I didn't cringe everytime I went over a pothole like I do now.

Now when I drive around L.A., i'm watching the ground like a retard and swerving around potholes every other street like a madman.

My current PSI is 30 / 32 at startup. It eventually goes up to like 34/36 after some driving.

 

I drove an Audi A7 last week, and although the E takes the cake in the styling department, and does have a more hefty "Luxury Sedan" driving feel, the A7 both handled much better and more nimbly, AND seemed to absorb bumps similarly, if not better (not a fair comparison, as the A7 I drove on a smooth test drive.... aside from me pushing it hard, lol), and not practically 0 miles.

 

I find the Luxury package on my BlueTEC to be just about perfect. Seems to step over bumps. I can hear and feel the suspension working over very rough patches, but is NEVER jarring. I tested a Sport package Bluetec (still 17 inch wheels like mine), but, the ride was noticeably "busier" over the rough stuff. I also noticed it to be choppier than the Luxury package a low speeds. Not bad by any stretch, but, noticeably firmer and less forgiving on impacts than the Lux package. I am very pleased with the ride I have.

 

I'd like to drive a Luxury and see how it feels now. Wouldn't it be nice if we could get the Sport ride height to fit with the Sport aesthetic Option with the Luxury suspension quality.

EmE: I know what you mean. I have "go around pothole" routes on roads, where I know exactly what lane to be in, or how far to swerve around it, like a madman. I'd get pulled over for sure if an Officer saw any of it. I don't know how you can bare it with 19's, and I have no idea what people are thinking/how some of you can do it, when getting 19's+ with lowered suspensions on these cars! Might as well get an M3 Sedan, at least with the bone jarring ride you get a stiff suspension that handles incredibly, which is the whole point of putting up with harsh suspensions in the first place.

 

I think you are right about MB pushing out Sport versions of their cars just to gain sales. Personally I do find the body treatments more attractive and as for performance improvements I don't see much.
Also I prefer the ride of the W211 over the W212. Both steering and suspension felt more accurate to me.
But the reality is that these cars are tuned for the masses and that includes people of older age.

 

I agree, which is why I'm shocked that M-B feels the "quick buck" of keeping a Sports Package free and mass is beneficial to keep the "older" demographics around. I can't imagine someone of an elderly age, or simply someone who wants a peaceful ride in their *Luxury Sedan* (MBUSA likes to call the E-Class a "Sports Sedan" to sound trendy and garner Sales, which is hilariously misleading and false), would like to have to cringe over the ever so common rough patches.

I wonder if they will tend to this in the coming years or for the facelift. If they do, looks like us initial buyers will be the fortunate ones with that distinct rock hard "Sports Car" feel ONLY when the roads get rough.

 

Its not that hard to do. Buy the suspension and the wheels.
Guys here buy new 20" wheels for looks... You can buy the stock 17s for comfort.
Guys here buy new lowering springs for looks... You can buy Luxury springs for comfort.
I dont see the difference between the two.



How old did you say you were again KA?

 

But then you'll miss out on the Sport aesthetic ride height and wheel size, so it ain't "perfect world'!

The wheels are a bit of a culprit, but a lot of it is clearly in the suspension geometry, it's clearly designed to perform spectacularly on smooth roads, but it's like they never R&D'd the SPORT Suspension on U.S spec sh** roads.

And I'm under 30.

I've owned some rude and crude cars in my not-so-long-ago yonder, and I loved them for it. This car does anything but glide over rough patches, and it should, in any of its designations, save for maybe the full blown raced out AMG. After all, it is an E-Class Mercedes Sedan.

 

lol, I know you are a youngster. I was just having some fun. One day that old man inside of you that cares about ride comfort is going to overpower your youthful soul that cares about vanity.

Anyway It sounds like your next lease should be a E550 (Airmatic). Best of both worlds. Even on 20's the ride is smooth.
Or maybe we should start a petition to get MBUSA to sell E350's with airmatic as an available option.
Perhaps threaten to buy a Lexus...

 

Lol.

I guess if I were to replace this car with another like it, I'd have to go Airmatic to get the ride I desire. I had ABC Suspension in my '02 W220 (first gen ABC) and it rode absolutely brilliantly. Airmatic isn't without its own (mostly long term) quirks however. I just don't get why M-B wasn't able to engineer a suspension that can "appear" Sporty, but maintain a luxurious ride over rough patches, using a conventional suspension (non Air) setup. And I don't get how they MBUSA feels that pushing their #1 volume Luxury Sedan (I don't consider the C-Class to be a Luxury Sedan as much as Sport Sedan) with a harsh-over-bumps Standardized Sport suspension is in any way good for the long term popularity of the E-Class.

 

it isn't like the airmatic completely solves the problem........
and I can't see what difference it would make to have 20's with
airmatic.......that's just too much freakin' wheel........

 

So you mean the Airmatic rides a little bumpy as well?

Maybe the chassis isn't lending so much for smooth riding over bumps? It is a modified chassis that originated from the W204 C-Class, which is a rock solid, extremely strong chassis, but catered more toward a rougher, sportier ride.

 

I tested both Sport and Luxury (dealer had to borrow a customer's Luxury for my test drive) and definitely liked the ride of Luxury better. I also prefer the interior and exterior styling of the Luxury. Had to order the car from Sindelfingen, but well worth the one month wait.
BTW, nothing is free. The Sports package may be advertised as free, but neither the dealer nor M-B paid for it. It's just assembled that way as it comes down the line. May be a slight additional cost for larger wheels, but not much to M-B.
Consumer Reports downgraded the E 350 by almost 10 points from the previous model, primarily because of the ride. They tested a Sports version this time.
The only complaint I have is that the car doesn't dampen the "fall" as much as I would like when going over depressions in road. Not potholes, but just depressions. On other road surfaces, it does very well.
Recommended TO is 30F/35R, but I run 32/37. In my experience Michellin tires, which my car has, ride harsher than other brands.
As far as I can tell, The Luxury comes with: Comfort suspension; 17" 5-split spoke wheels with 245/45R17 tires; monochromatic interior (with contrasting colors on dash); different front bumper cover and grille; stainless trim on front and rear bumper covers; oval exhausts; black instrument cluster surrond. I also got the wood & leather steering wheel with mine.

 

Keep in mind that larger wheels and tires add significant weight. This not only impacts acceleration negatively, but also adds unsprung mass to the suspension. This of course is going to affect your ride quality. Everything has tradeoffs. A pound her and there really makes a larger difference than most realize.

 

Even the avantgarde model still does it as well, kind of bouncy feels.

 

I hear what you're saying about tire and wheel weight, the wheels I got from Mandrus are undoubtedly lighter......maybe 20-30 % lighter......but yes, I agree with the comment by elcid about the dampening over bumps and holes; could be better....
but I go slow over that stuff anyway.....
I'm sure there is a big difference once one moves up to the 63 huh?

 

Lighter wheals and tires will underspring your stock suspension. This generally makes for a busier and bouncier ride. Of course the weight reduction will aid in acceleration times. Heavier wheels and tires generally makes for less control.

 

CR just tested a 2011 Blue Tech E350 Sedan without the sport suspension: ".....the E BlueTec rides better than our previously tested E350 with the sport suspension, and it has been a long-distance favorite......" Pretty much confirms what most are saying here.

FWIW, I test drove a 2010 E350 coupe (yes I know it's really a modified C Class chassis in disguise) and was shocked at how poorly it rode with the sport package with 18" wheels and stiffer suspension, compared to one I drove subsequently without that package.

No question, the coupe and sedan look better with the sport package, but for some of us there comes a time in life when one's kidneys tend to take precedence over one's eye appeal. Sigh. Will be ordering a 2012 without the sport package.

BTW, those of you driving the 2010-11 E Sedan, IMO it's the best looking sedan on the road in that class. Congrats.

Al

 

Agreed. In Europe you don't have to buy the expensive large V8 engine to get airmatic. We get a much more limited choice of options and engines...