2011 E550, comfort/sport mode for suspension?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 326
Likes: 3
2011 E550
2011 E550, comfort/sport mode for suspension?
Okay, maybe this is a dumb question or maybe this is like having "overdrive" on an automatic transmission in the 90s... what's the difference between the "comfort" and "sport" settings on my suspension?
I don't really notice much of a difference when I switch between them... but maybe it's just me.
I don't really notice much of a difference when I switch between them... but maybe it's just me.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 326
Likes: 3
2011 E550
I do have the airmatic, sorry for not clarifying that earlier... i'm new to MB so unsure of what features are standard on certain models etc
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 210
From: Sacramento , CA
2010 e550 p2
Okay, maybe this is a dumb question or maybe this is like having "overdrive" on an automatic transmission in the 90s... what's the difference between the "comfort" and "sport" settings on my suspension?
I don't really notice much of a difference when I switch between them... but maybe it's just me.
I don't really notice much of a difference when I switch between them... but maybe it's just me.
in comfort ride height is higher when you hit sport its lower
Banned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,957
Likes: 1,640
Actually, the Sport mode changes the damping to a much more aggressive and stiff suspension. I have taken the 550 to a track and you can really feel the difference in the turns. On a twisty road you can tell the difference between the normal and sport modes. On the straight highway it only accentuates the rough road. I would not leave it in sport mode, as it will wear out the airmatic suspension quicker and potentially cause a component failure. Nobody wants that.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 210
From: Sacramento , CA
2010 e550 p2
Actually, the Sport mode changes the damping to a much more aggressive and stiff suspension. I have taken the 550 to a track and you can really feel the difference in the turns. On a twisty road you can tell the difference between the normal and sport modes. On the straight highway it only accentuates the rough road. I would not leave it in sport mode, as it will wear out the airmatic suspension quicker and potentially cause a component failure
. Nobody wants that.
. Nobody wants that.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,957
Likes: 1,640
I do not believe the car is lower in Sport mode. It automatically lowers at speed to reduce drag and improve mileage and performance, and then raises back up when slowing. I believe the Sport mode only increases the damping effect of the Airmatic system.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,107
Likes: 394
From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
According to the manual, it effects both height and tuning. See pages 191/192 here. The height difference should be obvious if you stand outside or what how the star on the hood moves against a fixed option while you're parked. Sport is 0.4 inches lower than comfort and + mode is 0.8 inches higher. At highway speeds, you will be at sport height whether or not comfort or +1 is selected.
I haven't heard before that driving in sport mode would wear the components faster. However, I can see how sporty driving habits would wear out suspension components faster.
I haven't heard before that driving in sport mode would wear the components faster. However, I can see how sporty driving habits would wear out suspension components faster.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 210
From: Sacramento , CA
2010 e550 p2
According to the manual, it effects both height and tuning. See pages 191/192 here. The height difference should be obvious if you stand outside or what how the star on the hood moves against a fixed option while you're parked. Sport is 0.4 inches lower than comfort and + mode is 0.8 inches higher. At highway speeds, you will be at sport height whether or not comfort or +1 is selected.
I haven't heard before that driving in sport mode would wear the components faster. However, I can see how sporty driving habits would wear out suspension components faster.
I haven't heard before that driving in sport mode would wear the components faster. However, I can see how sporty driving habits would wear out suspension components faster.
