Live Oak

OK, I am a very conservative driver, so I would probably never appreciate "Sport" mode suspension vs. "Comfort" mode.

HOWEVER, at what point, under what conditions, should I notice a difference switching between the two??

I never drive, and do not intend to drive, on ~really~ rough road, or to drive over unpatched pot holes (I drive only rental cars in New York and Boston<G>), or to drive with maneuvers that require a true "sport" suspension.

That said, should I notice some difference between modes on, let's say, moderately rough suburban asphalt roads, maybe with badly patched cracks, etc? In those conditions, I can perceive no difference.

Or is the difference in modes so pointed at truly bad roads that I would never be able to feel the difference???

RNBRAD

I'm never on terrible roads but just driving down the highway I can tell a difference when passing over the expansion joints in the road. In sport they have a little more jolt and comfort mode makes them benign, more smooth.

Live Oak

HMMMM. . . that has me a little concerned that my suspension may not be doing what it says it is.

I wonder if MB dealer techs can tell if it's working.

ttoE550

I can tell the difference while cornering. Comfort is like driving a top-heavy boat. Lots of exaggerated side-to-side movement. Sport is less of that. Flatter cornering, for a luxury sedan anyway.

stemags

Is this referring to the C/S button on the console?I read that it mostly handles the way the tranny shifts,,nothing about suspension,,but if its linked to the suspension via airmatic means for leveling,,I stand corrected.
What I was lead to understand is C is for more smooth tranny shifting and better for wet/crappy roads.S is for aggressive driving,,nothing wrong with that.

park423

the difference between sport and comfort is subtle, not as dramatic as I thought it would be, i do wish there was a third more stiffer setting and a softer comfort setting, that being said, there is a long canyon road i drive on regularly that is a patch job of potholes and curvy, the comfort setting is definitely less jolty and quieter over these potholes and the sport mode does feel better around curves but it is not a night and day difference. either way, better to have than not.

ImInPA

Not 100% sure, but, doesn't the tranny start out in 2nd gear when in comfort? Always wondered if that was fact or fiction.

BudC

If this is about the AirMatic suspension, the difference is subtle but still noticeable. It shows up going around a corner and also in crosswinds.

Recently, my wife was driving our E550 on a limited access highway. When she wasn't aware of it, I pressed the S button. Believe it or not, she began driving faster. It does give you a better feeling of security.

I generally use comfort around town and sport on the open highway.

Live Oak

Some folks mixing up the C/S (Comfort/Sport) button, which affects suspension, with the E/S (Economy/Sport), which changes the tranny response.

hyperion667

the car does lower when you are going faster than 50 for more than 3 minutes or something anyway......making it easier and feel safer maybe........
I usually don't even mess with it....I usually leave it on E and comfort suspension.....
the car does the rest....

park423

i like to leave it on sport all the time as the car sits lower than in comfort mode.

stemags

Im sure the C/S button is for smoothness of the shifting as you accelerate,,C for comfort,conservative,,etc,,good for wet conditions.S for sport,aggresive,and more instant aceeleration changes,,,told by the dealer,,and the manual.

Live Oak

The "Sport/Comf" button affects Airmatic suspension firmness.

(The E/S button affects tranny response.)

"Sport/Comf" is present only in cars with Airmatic, 550 only in E Class, I believe.

stemags

Makes sense,,it functions with the tranny in my 350,,which is pretty handy,,stop n go traffic more manageable,,less pedal required.

6G Schnell

I thought E/S was for Economy/Senior?

hyperion667

hope that's a joke