silberrosa

For those of you who chose and E-Class Luxury model, how big of a factor was ride quality in your decision? As I understand, this model has 17" wheels instead of the 18" which is standard on the sport. Just trying to get a feeling for ride quality from one car to the other. I am aware of the other differences relating to the body, grille etc. thank you

ddeliber

I chose the luxury model for its ride quality. I drove 2 sport 4MATICs and my luxury RWD back to back to back and found the difference significant. Having said this, there are other factors that affect the ride quality in addition to the wheels. Specifically, AWD and the suspension (mostly the springs which are lowered a bit in the sport). I didn't get the opportunity to drive a RWD sport so I can't say how much any of the individual components added to the feel of the car. Personally, I believe that the AWD system changes the ride quality the most, but this is subjective and dependent on the specific cars that I have driven (tires, miles phase of the moon whatever). It is difficult to tell on a test drive, but after having the Luxury model for a while, the difference is immediately noticeable. I also noticed that the 2013 and 2014 sports seem to have been upgraded/improved so the difference between them and my 2010 luxury is nowhere near as significant.

BTW, if you do decide to upgrade wheels and end up with an extra set of 17" wheels I know someone that might be willing to take them off your hands - perhaps even trade for a set of 18" AMGs from the wheel package.

rediesel

4matic vs RWD will feel different. When I went from 16" to 18" in my W211 the difference was very noticeable in ride (my wife liked the 16") and about 3MPG. Do OEM 17" fit all W212 or are some stuck with 18" and up due to brakes?

Streamliner

We just ordered our fourth new E Class sedan and we went for the Luxury version for two reasons: First, we much prefer smaller diameter wheels and more sidewall in the tires, as we are convinced that the ride is much superior. The other reason, is that we much prefer to have our little 3-pointed star at home, on TOP of the hood, where it belongs.

Beemie

I can't speak to the ride quality comparison, but my understanding is that the sport styling also gets 17" wheels by default, and that the 18" wheels are an option you pay for. The styles of the default wheels are different between sport and luxury, but they are both 17" (edited: at least on the E350 wagon and sedan - may be different for other models). I ordered my wagon with sport package and the default 17" wheels and all-season tires.

DerekACS

When I took delivery of my 2015 E250BT 4Matic with Sport pkg, it had the 18" AMG wheels (standard in Canada with MSP) with Pirelli P ZeroNero all seasons. Driving over the same roads, I noticed a significant improvement in ride over my previous 2013 E350BT RWD equipped with similar 18" AMG wheels, but with Conti ProContact all seasons.

Now that I have switched over to my winter set of 17"wheels/Michelin Pilot Alpin snow tires, there is not a huge difference in ride between the 18" Pirellis and the 17" Michelins. Perhaps this is not the best type of comparison, given that snow tires do not typically ride as smooth as 3 season tires. Maybe 17" all seasons would ride better than the 17" snow tires ?

However, one other variable here is the fact that the E250BT 4Matic has Sport suspension, but it rides better than the E350BT RWD with Comfort suspension.

Then, of course, there is ambient temperature which affects the ride quality of tires. No doubt most members realize that when temps drop down close to freezing or below freezing, the ride quality for both summer and all season tires is adversely affected.

I also notice that the E250BT 4Matic has better rebound control over large bumps and has less body lean driving around sharp bends. These factors would no doubt be aided by the Sport suspension.

So, I'm not sure that one can categorically state that the 'Luxury' model with 'comfort suspension' will automatically ride 'better' than the Sport version. I think it depends on brand of tires fitted to the car, ambient temperature, the type of roads used for testing and the subjective nature of the driver's observations.

El Cid

I went to extraordinary lengths to get the Luxury version with 17" wheels. Ultimately had to order one from Germany. Based on my actual riding comparisons of Sports vs. Luxury, I would not have purchased the Sports version because ride comfort was important to me. It's not the wheels themselves, but the low-profile tires on the 18" wheels that diminish the ride comfort. Also, the Luxury version has a comfort suspension.
The Luxury version with 17" wheels and regular tires will ride better than the Sports version with 18" wheels and low-profile tires. Every professional test report I have read confirms this.
If it didn't, MB would not manufacture two different types of cars in the same model.

DerekACS

Yes, I think this is correct. For some, "ride better" = softer ride over rough patches. For me, softer ride = a less controlled, more bouncy ride.

m4sta

I noticed a huge difference when changed from contisport 5 245.45.17 summer tires, to winter nokianhakka r2 225.50.17.

It was alot easier steering, and the whole car felt more comfortable driving!

Gregg11_C300

We own 2 E class:

2011 Luxury E350 4-matic sedan
2015 Sport E400 4-matic coupe

Night and day difference in ride. The luxury ride is like driving in a lazy boy - you just don't feel the road. The sport suspension makes the car sporty like they advertise. I drive the E350 to work which is over an hour drive and prefer that ride for long trips over the nicer but sporty E400.

Live Oak

Sport??!! Get a kidney belt!

Alex.currie44

I have the W212 E350 4Matic Wagon which came standard with 18" wheels.
Recommended winter wheel size is 17" which I bought and put Michelin X-Ice in the recommended size
When it comes to ride properties the 17" win hands down. There is no compromise on handling as far as I am concerned and of course less tram lining.
If I had it to do over I would have insisted on the dealer delivering my car with the 17" wheel at no additional charge.
My winter rims are after market bought through my dealer parts department.

beshannon

Which is exactly why I chose the sport version and kept the 17" wheels. Best of both worlds to me, I am very happy with the ride.

BeachBunny

Uh oh... someone please tell me the Luxury still feels like 'Benz and not a Lexus ES350 or other floaty car.

I've never been able to drive a Luxury model, but ordered mine based on getting rid of the hideous grille for men with small genitalia. The dealers all said the ride difference between Luxury and Sport were minimal.

I have 18's on my M45 and find it to be reasonably responsive yet it's definitely a great highway cruiser. I can't stand the loaner Q50 & G37's, where you (and your spine) pray that you don't have to drive on a concrete road.

beshannon

Nice


Best of luck

noka

Don't worry, the look of the grill you seek alone will more than make up for a soft, floaty boat-like ride I mean, there's gotta be a reason they call one Sport (ride on rails) and one Luxury (ride on cloud), right?

El Cid

[QUOTE=BeachBunny;6257382]Uh oh... someone please tell me the Luxury still feels like 'Benz and not a Lexus ES350 or other floaty car.

No where like a Lexus. Luxury still retains the sport sedan handling and other characteristics of an MB.

I've never been able to drive a Luxury model, but ordered mine based on getting rid of the hideous grille for men with small genitalia.

Well said! And I'm a car guy.

The dealers all said the ride difference between Luxury and Sport were minimal.

It's more than minimal. I drove Sports versions before trying Luxury and it was very obvious. If not substantially different, why would MB manufacture so many models in both versions?
You will enjoy your new ride, comfort for most of your driving, but MB performance and handling when you want it.

beshannon

Well said!


After driving both several times I agree 100%.


But then some people only care about looks

noka

Of course, I was only jokng with BeachBunny. I drove a Luxury version a while back. You probably wouldn't perceive much difference in handling unless you drove a Sport right after it. I'm sure the it will handle quite fine for everyday driving.

El Cid

It's an MB! Having extensively test driven MB, Lexus, Infiniti, Acura, etc., the MB "E" Luxury with comfort suspension does not have a "floaty nor boat like ride." It has a comfortable, yet sporty ride.
Lexus LS 460 has a cloud like ride, MB "E" Class Luxury does not. Try both and you will see the difference.
As I have said before, Sports versions sells the best because that is what most dealers have on their lots. Also, the very term "Sports" appeals to a certain group of people.

CarolinaBluetec

I recently purchase a CPO 2013 Sport (15K miles) with Sport Package (it does a hood star) and 18 inch rims with ContiProContacts. The description on the window sticker said it had "Comfort Suspension" whereas the data card says"AVANTGARDE/STANDARD SUSPENSION". The ride is not too bad, but you definitely notice things like speed bumps. My 2008 Bluetec with 17 inch rims and Uniroyal Tiger Paw Touring tires made them disappear.

BeachBunny

Phew... glad to hear it. At the time, none of the dealers here had Luxury models to drive or even look at. Each of the dealers said there were minimal differences and that the 17" tires were more noticeable than any suspension differences.

El Cid: Kind of interesting, but the nearest dealer to me today had gotten shipments of cars in over the past few days. At this point they have more Luxury E's on the lot than Sports. I spent quite a bit of time talking with their sales manager about the local market and suggested they order more Luxury models. This area is a retirement community. Older people like familiar things. Looks like they took my advice. I'm tracking their inventory to see how fast they sell compared to the Sport models. My car's on the ship, so I need something to keep me amused in the meantime.

ddeliber

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.

noka

It would be interesting to know if cars are selling better only because they happen to be on the dealer's lot. I have to wonder if the opposite is true (i.e. if dealers order more Sport models because that's what customers are asking for and what sells best).

ddeliber

Personally I believe that it has to do with the fact that the sport and luxury trims are the same price. Other manufacturers charge extra for sport packages so people get the impression that they are getting more for their money. 18" wheels and tires are more expensive so they must be better right