superangrypenguin

I drove a E300 without airmatic and found the ride...ok - I'm after a S class floaty feeling with my car.

Does the E class with airmatic give me that sensation?

The last body shape for the E class with AirMatic was fantastic. There are no E classes nearby with Airmatic that I can test drive so before I write off this car, just thought I'd ask on here.

Thank you

vic viper

Yes, in "Comfort" mode you will get a very floaty and smooth ride, very similar to an S with Magic Body Control.

RobbieRob

Absolutely not, the S is a bigger heavier car, the ride is extremely floaty, the E with the airmatic will ride nice, but not even close to the S. Hit that C-button as much as you want, it wont be anywhere near an S.

vic viper

During the launch of the W213 we had two event days with among others a side by side comparison of the W222 with MBC and a loaded W213 with Airmatic
The Mercedes staff told us that they had put extra effort into the W213 suspension to give the vehicle a smooth ride Close to the W222.


So yes, after spending an entire day comparing different features of the two cars I have to disagree with you RobbieRob

RobbieRob

Extra effort to give it close to as smooth ride- They did a good job but it just isn't as floaty and smooth. Shorter wheelbase, less weight with a similar suspension setup, physics is easily applied here. You could put the identical suspension on the C class platform and it would never be as smooth as an E.


So this is your opinion, all good Vic, we are all entitled to our opinions which makes for good readings and good info.

Proeliator2001

You don't state anywhere if you've actually been in a w213 with airmatic or not. Your posts make it sound like you're assuming it won't be as good because of certain physical differences between the vehicles. If you've not been in one, your viewpoint is pure supposition and only the op's rear end is going to know for sure if it feels as good to them as the s did. Vic has had back to back comparison of them, so been on same roads on the same day and there is little better subjective a test than that!

c4004matic

I can confidently attest that the airmatic C rides noticeable harsher than the 213 with bags since I own the latter and tested the former. The E is both a lot smoother driving and a lot quieter than the C class. In fact that is the biggest difference between the two. Not that the C is objectionable, but they are in very different categories as far refinement is concerned.

arnsbrae

Physics would suggest that MB can optimise the airmatic system for each weight and wheelbase.

In the real world, yes the e Class air suspension does give that floating on air limousine type feel those of us who have been in an s class will know.

It also tightens up nicely when required.

RobbieRob

I assume you are talking to me?
I've driven in, and driven many S class Mercs, I'll end that statement there.
Realistically, every comment to this question will be an OPINION, there is no test to determine which car rides better, but more of an opinion of each driver on what they prefer(hopefully you can understand that statement). In My opinion(how's that?), the E will never drive as nice/smooth as an S class, the S is the Flagship sedan for MB and SHOULD drive/feel better than an E. Now if you are talking about an S63 or an S65 with rubber bands for tires and compare that to an E with 17's and balloon tires, well then maybe that is one exception to where the E will drive smoother.

superangrypenguin

Thank you. Precisely what I needed.

I remember comparing the 2013 E550 with airmatic and a 2012? S class that my parents own. It was really really close, so glad to hear this is pretty much the case here. Cheers and thanks!

Sunrose305

I have the Air Body Control option and am very happy with the ride when it is in COMFORT mode. But I have no way of comparing it to the same car without that option. I had five primary objectives when I went shopping for a new car and ultimately chose the E300:

1. An "early adopter" taste of autonomous driving technology.
2. A super quiet ride
3. A super smooth ride.
4. Good gas mileage.
5. A luxe interior.

My car ticks all those boxes very nicely. I should add that I stuck with the 18" rims to maximize the smooth ride preference. And the "luxe interior" drew me away from the Tesla which was my second choice.

Bobby4919

Having never driven an S, I can't compare my E300 airmatic ride, but I'm very pleased with it. Much better than a standard 2014 E350 ride.

However.... I would think that the S would have a much 'floatier' feeling. Don't forgot that the S has cameras that 'read' the road and adjusts the suspension accordingly. I don't think the E airmatic systems works that way.

jumpman726

Not entirely correct. The S comes standard with Airmatic but you have to order an option called "Magic Body Control" if you want cameras to scan the road and adjust the suspension. It costs around $4,500 more and you can only order it on RWD cars. Not 4matics.

superangrypenguin

Not the case in Canada. MBC is something that is order-able in 4matics in Canada, last I checked (i'm 99.9% sure).

scrubber

old thread, I know, but my R Class has Airmatic with ADS and the ride quality isn't great, in my opinion, too hard and thumpy especial when cold, but strangely if you drive across field it appears to float, hit one pothole on a smooth road and it thumps on the back end even more so when empty, bit better when heavily laden, now compare with a Ford Transit Connect van which is equipped with normal springs, normal shocks and I hardly feel or hear a thing.
I put it down to being a bit too clever, it can't react quick enough for the "skyhook effect" to work on one pothole but given a series of bumps as in the field or rough dirt track it starts to work as it should, or maybe I need new shocks (dampers)?

ua549

Wrong forum. Post in the R-Class forum.