W212 Stiff Ride?
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
W212 Stiff Ride?
Vehicle: 2011 E350 (Base Sedan, NOT 4 Matic)
Hello, W212 owners.
I want to improve the riding quality. My W212 runs very smoothly on the well-paved road.
However, when the car runs on the rough roads, I feel the bumpy ride.
How could I improve the ride? (By using genuine MBZ parts)
Thank you.
Hello, W212 owners.
I want to improve the riding quality. My W212 runs very smoothly on the well-paved road.
However, when the car runs on the rough roads, I feel the bumpy ride.
How could I improve the ride? (By using genuine MBZ parts)
Thank you.
#2
Member
I have the same problem as yours, you're not the only one, some people consider W212 the "stiffest" E class.
l tell you what I've done:
1. Changed the springs from Avantgarde (677) to Elegance/Comfort(485)
2. Kept the old shock absorbers, old one feel "softer"
3. Changed the rims to 16" ( get the smallest rims your car can use) and used 225/55/16 tires
4. Lowered the tire pressure to 32psi (or the lowest you think it's safe)
l got better ride after all these changes.
l tell you what I've done:
1. Changed the springs from Avantgarde (677) to Elegance/Comfort(485)
2. Kept the old shock absorbers, old one feel "softer"
3. Changed the rims to 16" ( get the smallest rims your car can use) and used 225/55/16 tires
4. Lowered the tire pressure to 32psi (or the lowest you think it's safe)
l got better ride after all these changes.
Last edited by Dingo L; 04-20-2022 at 12:42 PM.
The following 5 users liked this post by Dingo L:
BenzV12 (04-21-2022),
biker349 (04-22-2022),
King of Korea (04-28-2022),
ml3504matic____ (04-23-2022),
pierrejoliat (04-20-2022)
#3
SPONSOR
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 555
Received 379 Likes
on
227 Posts
11 E550, 16 AMG GTS, 13 S550
How many miles?
Not much you can really do though over patches of bad road, they're made for high speed highway commuting. 100% going to be what tires you choose. Worn suspension components ironically introduce more vagueness and maybe clunks to the ride, not necessarily make it not smooth.
Not much you can really do though over patches of bad road, they're made for high speed highway commuting. 100% going to be what tires you choose. Worn suspension components ironically introduce more vagueness and maybe clunks to the ride, not necessarily make it not smooth.
The following users liked this post:
King of Korea (04-28-2022)
#4
Senior Member
I have the same problem as yours, you're not the only one, some people consider W212 the "stiffest" E class.
l tell you what I've done:
1. Changed the springs from Avantgarde (677) to Elegance/Comfort(485)
2. Kept the old shock absorbers, old one feel "softer"
3. Changed the rims to 16" ( get the smallest rims your car can use) and used 225/55/16 tires
4. Lowered the tire pressure to 32psi (or the lowest you think it's safe.
l got better ride after all these changes.
l tell you what I've done:
1. Changed the springs from Avantgarde (677) to Elegance/Comfort(485)
2. Kept the old shock absorbers, old one feel "softer"
3. Changed the rims to 16" ( get the smallest rims your car can use) and used 225/55/16 tires
4. Lowered the tire pressure to 32psi (or the lowest you think it's safe.
l got better ride after all these changes.
The following 2 users liked this post by DeTh:
biker349 (04-22-2022),
pierrejoliat (04-21-2022)
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Mine is a sport model with 18” AMG wheels, but with “comfort” suspension. It rides quite nicely on all pavement types, not overly harsh by any means. I think the comfort suspension is a key difference. I do notice a difference with tire pressure, it’s very sensitive to that element. 32 psi and 37psi is a noticeable difference in mine. I have Michelin tires as well, which also made a nice difference over the wearing OE Continentals.
The following 2 users liked this post by nc211:
biker349 (04-22-2022),
King of Korea (04-28-2022)
#6
Member
It's 'comfort' when you got 485 suspension.
The following users liked this post:
pierrejoliat (04-21-2022)
#7
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Pepper Pike Ohio
Posts: 1,983
Received 1,158 Likes
on
773 Posts
12 E350 4Matic 13 E350 4Matic AMG Sport
Exactly, I have both 485 on my '12 and 677 on my '13, night and day difference, when you go back and forth between cars, it's totally obvious, also the 485 sits an inch higher in back and almost 3/4" in front.
The following users liked this post:
biker349 (04-22-2022)
Trending Topics
#8
MBWorld Fanatic!
Easy, stay off bumpy roads.
The following 2 users liked this post by Senecat:
Budhah (04-23-2022),
pierrejoliat (04-23-2022)
#9
Super Member
I have a 2015 E400 with sport package, steel springs, no variable dampers, etc. It runs 18 X 8.5 inch rims with 245-40X18 tires.
If I run over a matchbook on the pavement, I can tell you how many matches were left.
If I run over a matchbook on the pavement, I can tell you how many matches were left.
The following 3 users liked this post by SteveE400:
#10
MBWorld Fanatic!
I don’t think I have the luxury model suspension, nor do I think I have the sport suspension. It looks like sport suspension, but doesn’t ride nearly as harsh as some of these comments suggest. I know the window sticker said “comfort” on the suspension, so I’m thinking I’m somewhere in the middle of Luxury and true Sport. What that translates into for a code, I haven’t a clue….
#11
Member
The real question is, should a mid-sized luxury sedan ride like this?
The following users liked this post:
pierrejoliat (04-23-2022)
#12
MBWorld Fanatic!
My 2016 US model E350 4m wagon has option 485. On the data card this is described as "DIRECT CONTROL suspension".
The following users liked this post:
pierrejoliat (04-25-2022)
#13
MBWorld Fanatic!
IMHO, the worst ride were the sport sedans, the lux sedan was somewhat better. amazingly, the sport wagon was better than the lux sedan we'd driven, and this lux wagon is the best of all of them. Now these were all E350s, none had the full airmatic option, which I understand to be quite nice in 'comfort' mode.
The following 2 users liked this post by Left Coast Geek:
CaliBenzDriver (04-23-2022),
pierrejoliat (04-23-2022)
#14
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Silicon Valley
Posts: 5,928
Received 3,651 Likes
on
2,428 Posts
MY'14 W212 M276 3.5NA @60kMi
Options from SHORT SPRINGS to AIR RIDES ...
absolutely not. We *hated* the ride of the first couple W212's we test drove, and had given up on them until I discovered the Sport vs Luxury package thing.
IMHO, the worst ride were the sport sedans, the lux sedan was somewhat better. amazingly, the sport wagon was better than the lux sedan we'd driven, and this lux wagon is the best of all of them. Now these were all E350s, none had the full airmatic option, which I understand to be quite nice in 'comfort' mode.
IMHO, the worst ride were the sport sedans, the lux sedan was somewhat better. amazingly, the sport wagon was better than the lux sedan we'd driven, and this lux wagon is the best of all of them. Now these were all E350s, none had the full airmatic option, which I understand to be quite nice in 'comfort' mode.
Many drivers purchase a Benz thinking they are ALL built to be the best touring cars. In fact the suspension package directly impact the comfort, handling and maintenance cost.
There's still a lot of untold thruth about these amazing cars.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; 04-23-2022 at 04:15 PM.
The following users liked this post:
pierrejoliat (04-23-2022)
#15
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Pepper Pike Ohio
Posts: 1,983
Received 1,158 Likes
on
773 Posts
12 E350 4Matic 13 E350 4Matic AMG Sport
I don’t think I have the luxury model suspension, nor do I think I have the sport suspension. It looks like sport suspension, but doesn’t ride nearly as harsh as some of these comments suggest. I know the window sticker said “comfort” on the suspension, so I’m thinking I’m somewhere in the middle of Luxury and true Sport. What that translates into for a code, I haven’t a clue….
677=sport
486= AMG sport
Although they call them different names, this is what they are, some say avant grade some say direct control, but there were three springs available as listed by number above, then it goes into options, where they color code the springs with two colors based on that, for example a stripped car has different colors than a loaded car, a pano car has different colors than a sunrioof car, etc. Then theres the air suspension cars, and wagons with only rear air suspension. Obviously the V8's had heavier springs than the 6's and 4's and two different gas tanks tanks
If you have 677, your car has shortened springs, find a luxury and you will immediately notice the difference, it's huge.
Last edited by pierrejoliat; 04-23-2022 at 05:41 PM.
The following 2 users liked this post by pierrejoliat:
badbenz94 (04-25-2022),
CaliBenzDriver (04-23-2022)
#16
Junior Member
677 AVANTGARDE/STANDARD SUSPENSION
on my Luxury E350, Happy with it. tire Pressure will make a difference, note it is on the inside of the fuel door. front and back are diff.. Many times when you get oil change they will just put all tires at 35#.
on my Luxury E350, Happy with it. tire Pressure will make a difference, note it is on the inside of the fuel door. front and back are diff.. Many times when you get oil change they will just put all tires at 35#.
Last edited by Budhah; 04-23-2022 at 06:40 PM.
#17
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Pepper Pike Ohio
Posts: 1,983
Received 1,158 Likes
on
773 Posts
12 E350 4Matic 13 E350 4Matic AMG Sport
If you have the 677 Avant garde, that is the lowered suspension like the sports, luxury comes with 485 direct control suspension. So you can check, from ground to fender lip my car is 27 5/8" at the rear fenders with a full tank of gas.
Last edited by pierrejoliat; 04-23-2022 at 05:50 PM.
The following users liked this post:
badbenz94 (04-24-2022)
#19
MBWorld Fanatic!
485= comfort
677=sport
486= AMG sport
Although they call them different names, this is what they are, some say avant grade some say direct control, but there were three springs available as listed by number above, then it goes into options, where they color code the springs with two colors based on that, for example a stripped car has different colors than a loaded car, a pano car has different colors than a sunrioof car, etc. Then theres the air suspension cars, and wagons with only rear air suspension. Obviously the V8's had heavier springs than the 6's and 4's and two different gas tanks tanks
If you have 677, your car has shortened springs, find a luxury and you will immediately notice the difference, it's huge.
677=sport
486= AMG sport
Although they call them different names, this is what they are, some say avant grade some say direct control, but there were three springs available as listed by number above, then it goes into options, where they color code the springs with two colors based on that, for example a stripped car has different colors than a loaded car, a pano car has different colors than a sunrioof car, etc. Then theres the air suspension cars, and wagons with only rear air suspension. Obviously the V8's had heavier springs than the 6's and 4's and two different gas tanks tanks
If you have 677, your car has shortened springs, find a luxury and you will immediately notice the difference, it's huge.
re springs, Mercedes has always, within a given suspension package, matched the springs and spacers with the car options. Our early 90s W124 E classes (we had 3), they had a table for the front, and another for the rear, each of these tables assigned points to various options (different for front and rear), you add up the points, and then find the sum in a table which says what spring and spacer to use. I'm pretty sure they are still doing this, but I've not dug into that corner of the parts catalogs (formerly EPC, now ISPPI) In addition to the comfort/sport suspension options, at least in the old days, 3rd world countries got 'rough road' suspension options which were a mild lift kit with taller/softer springs, but those cars usually had far fewer options and were generally lighter, which also helps on rough roads.
ok, i just looked up a generic C212.288 (E350 4matic wagon) on ISPPI, and they don't use the points and table anymore, but they list all these different front springs for different option combinations...
-
- A 212 321 28 04 - HELICAL SPRING
COLOR DESIGNATION: 1 X BLUE/3 X YELLOW
Code: (482+978)+-(M271/M274); - A 212 321 16 04 - HELICAL SPRING
Color marking: 1 x beige
Code: M005+485; - A 212 321 17 04 - HELICAL SPRING
Color marking: 2 x beige
Code: M005+485; - A 212 321 18 04 - HELICAL SPRING
Color marking: 3 x beige
Code: M005+485; - A 212 321 19 04 - HELICAL SPRING
Color marking: 4 x beige
Code: M005+485; - A 212 321 31 04 - HELICAL SPRING
Color coding: 1 x beige / 1 x yellow
Code: M005+485; - A 212 321 32 04 - HELICAL SPRING
Color marking: 1 x beige / 2 x yellow
Code: M005+485; - A 212 321 42 04 - HELICAL SPRING
Color marking: 2 x green / 2 x brown
Code: (486+-(M156+M63/M157+M55))/(677+-M005); - A 212 321 10 04 - HELICAL SPRING
Color coding: 1 x green
Code: (486+-(M156+M63/M157+M55))/(677+-M005); - A 212 321 11 04 - HELICAL SPRING
Color marking: 2 x green
Code: (486+-(M156+M63/M157+M55))/(677+-M005); - A 212 321 12 04 - HELICAL SPRING
Color marking: 3 x green
Code: (486+-(M156+M63/M157+M55))/(677+-M005); - A 212 321 13 04 - HELICAL SPRING
Color marking: 4 x green
Code: (486+-(M156+M63/M157+M55))/(677+-M005); - A 212 321 14 04 - HELICAL SPRING
Color coding: 1 x green / 1 x brown
Code: (486+-(M156+M63/M157+M55))/(677+-M005); - A 212 321 15 04 - HELICAL SPRING
Color marking: 1 x green / 2 x brown
Code: (486+-(M156+M63/M157+M55))/(677+-M005); - A 212 321 35 04 - HELICAL SPRING
Color marking: 1 x green / 3 x brown
Code: (486+-(M156+M63/M157+M55))/(677+-M005); - A 212 321 20 04 - HELICAL SPRING
Color coding: 1 x violet
Code: M005+677; - A 212 321 21 04 - HELICAL SPRING
Color marking: 2 x violet
Code: M005+677; - A 212 321 22 04 - HELICAL SPRING
Color marking: 3 x violet
Code: M005+677; - A 212 321 23 04 - HELICAL SPRING
Color marking: 4 x violet
Code: M005+677; - A 212 321 34 04 - HELICAL SPRING
Color marking: 1 x violet / 2 X yellow
Code: M005+677; - A 212 321 33 04 - HELICAL SPRING
Color coding: 1 x violet / 1 x yellow
Code: M005+677;
- A 212 321 28 04 - HELICAL SPRING
Last edited by Left Coast Geek; 04-24-2022 at 02:09 AM.
The following users liked this post:
pierrejoliat (04-24-2022)
#20
MBWorld Fanatic!
SO, thats 21 different front springs Mercedes puts on 212.288 (facelift E350 4matic wagons). you go buy some hotrodder aftermarket kit springs, how many versions do that have? 1? 2? 3?
The following 2 users liked this post by Left Coast Geek:
4rvrDarwin (04-22-2023),
pierrejoliat (04-24-2022)
#21
Member
And guys, don't forget the shock absorbers. Some folks believe shocks dictate the ride quality more than the springs....
There are corresponding shocks for 485, 677 and 486, but interestingly most independent manufacturers offer same shock (e.g. Bilstein B4)to replace 677 and 485 shocks for my E250.
That's why l kept the old shocks when l changed the 677 springs to 485. I guess new shocks are stiffer than old ones..... well, 😅😅
There are corresponding shocks for 485, 677 and 486, but interestingly most independent manufacturers offer same shock (e.g. Bilstein B4)to replace 677 and 485 shocks for my E250.
That's why l kept the old shocks when l changed the 677 springs to 485. I guess new shocks are stiffer than old ones..... well, 😅😅
Last edited by Dingo L; 04-24-2022 at 05:30 AM.
The following users liked this post:
pierrejoliat (04-24-2022)
#22
Super Member
When I bought my car, there was no choice. If I wanted the E400 versus the 350 (which was a must-have for me), they were all "sport" models. The only possibility would have been to find one with variable dampers. Not common on the lesser-optioned cars available at the time.
The following users liked this post:
pierrejoliat (04-24-2022)
#24
Junior Member
Maybe that is one reason I like it. Had brain tumor removed in July, and I don't hit my head getting in and out of the Mercedes like I do my Lexus LS500.. Tire pressure check is a must. surprised at the difference in suggested from front to rear. My datacard doesn't match my title for some reason. Title say Luxury, but not the datacard ?? another search said Limousine.
Last edited by Budhah; 04-24-2022 at 07:27 PM.
#25
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Pepper Pike Ohio
Posts: 1,983
Received 1,158 Likes
on
773 Posts
12 E350 4Matic 13 E350 4Matic AMG Sport
Maybe that is one reason I like it. Had brain tumor removed in July, and I don't hit my head getting in and out of the Mercedes like I do my Lexus LS500.. Tire pressure check is a must. surprised at the difference in suggested from front to rear. My datacard doesn't match my title for some reason. Title say Luxury, but not the datacard ?? another search said Limousine.
The following 2 users liked this post by pierrejoliat:
4rvrDarwin (04-22-2023),
biker349 (04-25-2022)