W212 Facelift Luxury Trim v. Sport Trim Suspension
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2016 E350 4matic 2005 E55 Sedan
W212 Facelift Luxury Trim v. Sport Trim Suspension
I have been getting to know my relatively new to me daily driver (a 2016 E350 4matic sedan in the luxury trim - With the traditional grille and hood ornament.).
Other than the exterior looks, I know the "luxury trim" has higher profile tires compared to the sport models. I was wondering if the luxury trim also has any differences under the skin i.e. a softer sprung suspension or anything like that?
I read that the lux trim might sit about .5 inches higher than the sport trims, but never noticed a difference myself. Do they actually have different suspensions?
Thanks!
Other than the exterior looks, I know the "luxury trim" has higher profile tires compared to the sport models. I was wondering if the luxury trim also has any differences under the skin i.e. a softer sprung suspension or anything like that?
I read that the lux trim might sit about .5 inches higher than the sport trims, but never noticed a difference myself. Do they actually have different suspensions?
Thanks!
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W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
indeed the comfort steel springs are longer than the sporty trims.
I got a comfort trim after getting seriously tired of sporty rides on old concrete roadways.
That's the best thing I did to drive straight roads at 65mph. Airmatic would have been even more comfortable at the cost of higher maintenance.
I got a comfort trim after getting seriously tired of sporty rides on old concrete roadways.
That's the best thing I did to drive straight roads at 65mph. Airmatic would have been even more comfortable at the cost of higher maintenance.
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W212 FL
Luxury models provide softer suspension but I still get the old American feeling like drive in sport versions W212s too . I mean , sport versions have firmer suspension settings and AMG models come with the different wheel / tyre set up as well.
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Joined: Jul 2023
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2016 E350 4matic 2005 E55 Sedan
I had a 2010 "luxury model" but it came with the amg 18 - 19inch? wheels. I notice a large difference compared to my 2016 with the high profile tire setup. Especially over larger bumps that jolt through the interior.
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From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
I think they have a distinctive appetite for fresh batteries. Use a float charger to help prevent all drainage.
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From: 122W, 37N
2016 E350 4Matic wagon, 2019 Ford Expedition, 2019 Chevy Bolt EV
Hilarious that we're calling /45 series tires 'high profile'.
IMHO, high profile tires are /65 or above. /50 used to be super sport very low profile.
IMHO, high profile tires are /65 or above. /50 used to be super sport very low profile.
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2012 E350 | 2001 E430 (RIP) | 1997 M3
My sport beside my brother's luxury pack shortly after I picked mine up. Poor lighting but side-by-side the sport is oh so slightly lower. Can't comment specifically on the OEM tire profile discussion as he's swapped to the AMG sport wheels and I have no idea what tire specs he went with.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
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From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
My sport beside my brother's luxury pack shortly after I picked mine up.
Poor lighting but side-by-side the sport is oh so slightly lower.
Can't comment specifically on the OEM tire profile discussion as he's swapped to the AMG sport wheels and I have no idea what tire specs he went with.
Likely drilled rotors instead of smooth?
the options are so endless, staggered tire sizes.
The feature I enjoy most is the ride-quality, even without Airmatic option.
The electric steering keeps the chassis pointed straight. The steering not wandering around neigral center makes it comfortable to drive Hwy speeds.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Jun 1, 2025 at 05:29 PM.
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From: Pepper Pike Ohio
24 GLS580 '23 E450 4matic 12 E350 4Matic
Yes, up until 2014 both came with a hood ornament, sport came with drilled rotors, luxury did not. front and rear are different including lower valances, easiest way to tell is sport had three bar grill and luxury had four bars. luxury came with 17" wheels stock. sport was 18"
