ImInPA

That logic no longer applies today. Modern Turbos are every bit as reliable as naturally aspirated engines. Look at SAAB, VW, and Audi to name a few that have their mainstream engines turbocharged. I have a friend with a VW Passat 1.8T with over 200k mi. No problems. I am leery of the real world gas mileage, as, in my experience, turbos tend to tempt me into dipping into the throttle a bit more often. These new engines are torque monsters.

storm10

I don't think Airmatic is flawed, since it will be the standard suspension for more expensive 2012 CLS550 and standard rear suspension for 2012 CLS63 AMG.

I just think that E550 sedan was killing the sales of CLS and MB decided to give some advantage to buy CLS models...

SolidGranite

LOVE my airmatic. LOVE my RWD. If these options are missing on the E550 going forward then I'm a CLS customer almost for sure. I live in Chicago and AWD is no where near required.

emilner

I can't believe they are eliminating Airmatic and making AWD standard! Framkly it takes the E out of competition with the 550i. I can see the AWD as a competing argument vs Audi, but why not make it a choice? The airmatic is a great suspension (when it does not fail) and should be on the car. Being able to adjust the suspension depending on your mood is standard in this category and up...

Wig

emilner - how is the reliability of your 550i holding up? I remember your E550 was a disaster, so I hope you had better luck with your BMW.

What happened to your 2007(?) S550? Did that let you down also?

emilner

I really loved the S at first but I felt like it gained 100lbs a month. I grew tired of the size and handling combined with a stiffer than necessary suspension. Then I had to go and test drive the 550i and it blew me away. It is smoother and quieter than my S yet handles much much better. The power is awesome and I love the much more advanced tech. There are many menus and sub menus that allow you to change so many settings to your likes. I seriously cannot believe how much I love the car!!

Reliability of the car itself has been good up until last week. Long story short the alternator went. Apparently it is the first one on the TT V8 that my dealer has had to change so I will just chalk it up to my luck. I have had quite a few bubbles on the low profile tires (through a rough NY winter) but that is solely the responsibility of Goodyear who has apparently designed a defective run flat. Cars that came with Michelins don't seem to have any bubbles occurring, only those with the GY's. Good thing I have the tire insurance.

All in all I could not be happier with the car but I still like hanging with my MB homies!!!

vettdvr

I agree, mine added expense to the car and has been very expensive to maintain with new compressor, air springs not to mention the $1000 shocks I had to replace.

I think the car would increase reliability with out airmatic.

What I don't understand is giving up rwd for awd if this means side mounting the engine and adding more complexity. But then what do I know.

emilner

I agree with you that airmatic has its reliability concerns, but to remove a great feature for that reason is a step backwards. I remember when modern fuel injection hit in the 80's and everyone complained that the complexity was overly costly/complex and hard to repair. Now carbs are ancient tech. Airbags give distinct advantages for road going vehicles that serve multi-purposes (such as daily commuter/ weekend fun car). And the technology is evolving with the next generation set to bow in 2-3 years (MB's new magic suspension- DUMB name).

ngerstman

[QUOTE=emilner;4680965]I agree with you that airmatic has its reliability concerns, but to remove a great feature for that reason is a step backwards. I remember when modern fuel injection hit in the 80's and everyone complained that the complexity was overly costly/complex and hard to repair. Now carbs are ancient tech. Airbags give distinct advantages for road going vehicles that serve multi-purposes (such as daily commuter/ weekend fun car). And the technology is evolving with the next generation set to bow in 2-3 years (MB's new magic suspension- DUMB name).[/QUOTE The airmatic suspension may be exotic and more complicated but that doesn't mean that it is better. As I have stated many times in various threads, I don't love the airmatic suspension and would go as far as to say that it is defective on delivery. It just doesn't always do what a good suspension is supposed to do and that is absorb the worst of the road while providing good handling. It is hard on rough roads and runs out of travel before it should on medium ruts. The adjustability is nice but only moderates its flaws. Mercedes e class sedans are luxury sedans and the airmatic fails to deliver the great suspension balance that Mercedes has been famous for. I for one welcome its demise in the e class and to the extent that my e550 with airmatic has some extra value as a result, that's great!! Regards. Ned.

Tjdehya

So will you trade for a 2012?

K-A

LOL @ "Magic Suspension".

What a stupid name for a brand like M-B. Who are they trying to attract with that term, 8 year olds?

SolidGranite

If this is true then MB has officially drank the Apple coolaid.

vettdvr

Apparently so. The only MB I drive is E class rear drive. AWD with front drive set up will send me to Cadillar or other rear drive vehicles.

ngerstman

If the 2011 e550 trade better than they should based on the airmatic, I would definitely consider it if my dealer made me a deal I couldn't refuse!! Who am I to refuse "magic shocks". Regards. Ned.

storm10

Where did you see "Magic Suspension" term?

Tjdehya

Its officially called " Magic Body Control Suspension" Google it.

emilner

Fixed

SolidGranite

Just another way of saying how they are cutting costs to make the E more affordable. Such a shame.

vettdvr

I can assure you that to go from RWD to AWD with a front drive set up the list price will be higher than the conventional RWD.

SolidGranite

I was referring to the removal of airmatic suspension.

Tjdehya

I think you are mistaken. The 2012 E will not be getting MBC.
It will only be available on the S and CL and it definitely is not a cost cutting measure.

ImInPA

I heard that MB, in the creation of the Magic Body Control Suspension for the S and CL class automobiles, MB will also offer a version on the 2012 E called the Sorcerer's Apprentice Body Control Suspension. It is a less expensive and less experienced version and complains more.

K-A

Hearing "Magic Body Control" gives me visions of a bunch of stern German M-B execs going to Disneyland, and coming back with ideas.

That, and it gives me visions of the classy silver M-B Star emblem getting slathered in Ketchup and Mustard.

FYI, "MBC" is debuting on the 2014 (W222) S-Classes. It will be HIGHLY complex and provide a new standard in "alive" Luxury Suspensions. However, it will be yet another leading component that will make the S-Class worthless after Warranty, and a potential Bank-breaking disaster to own out of Warranty. Sometimes I wish these guys would cut the advancements out for marketing purposes, and worry about making a car perform as good as "Magic Body Control", but with conventional and long lasting methods. I'll bet they can do it, but it won't show well in commercials.

WEBSRFR

What has Mercedes done to the E550? Is this for real?! All this because they think it competes with the CLS? I need to be able to fit 5 people in my car and until the CLS can do that, they definitely do not have to worry about me looking at a CLS. They however will have to worry about me looking at a 550i.

I really like what BMW has done with the 550i and the new engine can get you to 60 in under 5. In response MB seems to dumbed down the E550 -- The E350 is a very nice upgrade but this is just nuts what they've done to the E550. I thought I've seen the same engine in another MB model with about 430 HP. Any reason why the E550 engine offers 402 HP output? Is this because they wanted a different torque curve for better day-to-day driving?

If I were to shop for another car, and the S550 is too big and I don't want the CLS because it seats only 4, Mercedes is basically giving me away to BMW if the i550 makes a more compelling case and the E550 has not kept up...

If Mercedes really wants to steer people from the E550 to the CLS550 due to their decontenting of the E550 the least they can do is add an actual middle seat to the back seat instead of the stupid console that I will never use that limits back seat seating to just 2 people.

WEBSRFR

PS: Does anyone know if the mandatory "sport package" you get with the new E550 mean that they force low profile tires on you? I hope not! I want to avoid low profile tires all cost...