W212 E-Class Luxury model 17" wheels
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I believe that the greatest characteristic of the E-class is for lack of a better word smoothness. No E-class is ever going to be floaty or even soft. Silky smooth like a speed-boat cutting through a wave-less lake. IMO MB made a mistake by putting larger wheels and shorter springs in the sport package on the early models. It takes away from the unique smooth and stable feel that you get in the Luxury pkg. Sport E-classes attempt to improve steering response and tighten up the handling however, bumps are amplified, and you get a jittery feel.
Having said this, I believe that this was fixed around 2013. They tweaked/improved things to the point where the differences between the luxury and sport trims are minimal. I drove a lot of 2010s and 2011s and the differences were noticeable. The 2014 sports that I drove were a significant improvement.
Having said this, I believe that this was fixed around 2013. They tweaked/improved things to the point where the differences between the luxury and sport trims are minimal. I drove a lot of 2010s and 2011s and the differences were noticeable. The 2014 sports that I drove were a significant improvement.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Lots of talk about the ride quality and how springs are shorter on the sports model... Are they really?
I would think that the "hard" ride of the sport models mostly comes from stiffer or "harder" shock absorbers. I bet if you take shocks out from both models they are very soft over the bumps but, of course, without shocks could not drive at any real speed.
I think a sports model can be made a lot softer or luxury-like by changing to softer shock absorbers.
I would think that the "hard" ride of the sport models mostly comes from stiffer or "harder" shock absorbers. I bet if you take shocks out from both models they are very soft over the bumps but, of course, without shocks could not drive at any real speed.
I think a sports model can be made a lot softer or luxury-like by changing to softer shock absorbers.
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 703
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From: Boston Area
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
Lots of talk about the ride quality and how springs are shorter on the sports model... Are they really?
I would think that the "hard" ride of the sport models mostly comes from stiffer or "harder" shock absorbers. I bet if you take shocks out from both models they are very soft over the bumps but, of course, without shocks could not drive at any real speed.
I think a sports model can be made a lot softer or luxury-like by changing to softer shock absorbers.
I would think that the "hard" ride of the sport models mostly comes from stiffer or "harder" shock absorbers. I bet if you take shocks out from both models they are very soft over the bumps but, of course, without shocks could not drive at any real speed.
I think a sports model can be made a lot softer or luxury-like by changing to softer shock absorbers.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 1,293
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
To be honest, I don't know what is different, I just read it here somewhere and spit it back out in this thread. I do know that the sports sit lower and I thought that the stance had more to do with the springs as opposed to the shocks. I haven't compared part numbers but that seems not to difficult a task if anyone is up for it.
But the length of the spring does not make the car ride hard or soft. The spring constant determines how much the car leans in corners at speed, i.e. when there is relatively long lasting force to one direction. The ride quality the most people talk about here I believe is how you feel the bumps or pot holes on the road and that comes from the shocks.
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Joined: Feb 2021
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2012 E350, 2001 E320
