jester1

May get an E400 Coupe this fall with premium level three.

If ordered,I'd like to know what suspension option (for US) best fits my wants under the SPECIFIC parameters set below:

I'm old,& my joints begrudge any loss of height that makes it harder getting in & out of the car.I don't care about having the car look sportier with lowered suspension.

The car will never leave the Comfort setting.I stay within 5 mph of the speed limit,& won't be taking curves at speed.

I want the most comfortably feeling ride I can get.

Specifically WITHIN the above driving-use restrictions,will the Air-matic option really make that much of a ride difference?

In the US,can you get the car without lowered suspension?

Thanks for your input (as he turns,mumbling to himself, & shuffles away,creaking all the time).

vic viper

Air Body Control, this is all you need.

ua549

The ride will be better with the luxury package with 17" wheels - the bigger the wheel the harsher the ride. I have 18" wheels with the sport package and 15 mm lowered suspension. That is about 19/32" or not enough for my old bones to feel the difference. That said, Air Body Control with an adjustable ride can raise the car to simplify ingress/egress. The downside is initial cost plus very high maintenance expenses after the warranty expires if you keep the car that long.

makris0000

It sounds like you should get the E400 sedan with the luxury package and air body control or get an S class. What I have experienced with coupes is that even in their comfiest setting they will still not be as comfortable as a sedan or SUV.

If you go with an E400 sedan with the luxury package and P3 it will probably come out cheaper than an E400 Coupe with the same options and it will more than likely be more comfortable.

fvc

My 72 year old friend does not enjoy getting in and out of my Coupe one bit! He's much more comfortable with a mid-size SUV. Or, you could do what he doesn't do, which is spend at least 30 minutes per day on stretching exercises.

Cambridgehank

I am also 72 and creaky. I tested the E400 Coupe and Sedan. We both preferred the sedan, rides more comfortable and our friends can get into the back seat. That was also part of the test drive, my wife and her friend could not easily get into the coupe rear seat.

jester1

The other component for my wife is side visibility when trying to pull out onto a highway.A big reason we are considering the coupe is seeing nothing but glass from the lack of that side pillar that partially blocks your vision with the sedan.

cetialpha5

Never found that to be an issue with the sedan, I use a blind spot mirror. About $2-$3 at an auto parts store or at Walmart.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/C0400-Fit...r-2pk/46832255

Egonvdv

i had the coupe and besides the design there's no other reason to get it. (imo)

it's ridiculously small in the back and difficult to get in. I hit the ceiling with my 1.85mtrs (tallish, but not extreme)

it also has only 2 seat.

the visibility around you is much better in the sedan, even if the coupe has no side pillars

and last: trunk space!

Cambridgehank

I went for a drive with my wife. She is getting used to the MB, she drives a Prius. She had no issue with blind side viewing. Also, at least our model of the E400 sedan has blind side monitoring, a red light shows if another car is near. If I put on the turn signal while the red light is showing, a bell rings. So sensitive that when I am in two lane turns, it rings and lights up.

cetialpha5

I think the mirror is better. Lets you tell exactly how far back they are so when merging you can decide whether you need to speed up more or slow down and let them pass you. The blind spot detection just lights up when a car is next to you, basically just tells you not to do it, doesn't help with speeding up or slowing down.

Cambridgehank

The trick is to do both, use the mirror and beware of the red light signals.

petee1997

My wife finally quit the coupes and convertibles when she traded her 2013 E class coupe for a 2015 E400 sed. She wanted a more practical car because of the grandchildren. She wonders why she waited so long. Now she has moved on to a 18 E43 and will never buy a coupe again. The part she likes best are the shorter doors. Life is so much easier getting in and out plus it's a real bonus in a parking lot. If you really must go with the two door, buy the convertible. It holds its' value better.

jester1

Over a year ago,Wife traded in her Volvo S80 for its equivalent,a '17 S90.She has not like the extra foot in length.

The E400 coupe is shorter then the sedan,which is a plus.We almost never have anyone use the back seats.

arnsbrae

robert c

Sedan with Luxury Package!
Robert

Neil_ofTX

I’m not in my 70s, but you’re not alone. I want something that rides nice. I’m tired of feeling every bump in the road. I had the exact same thought as you, I should get E-class coupe with Air Suspension. First I drove the E-class sedan without Air, then a Coupe with Air Suspension. I hate to admit it, but I was very disappointed. The cope with the Air suspension was too stiff my liking. I never left comfort mode, and I was very surprised to find it stiff. Now I’m going to abandon the idea of a coupe and go find a sedan to drive with the Air suspension. My Sales advisor, said I would like the sedan much better. We’ll see. I need to drive the sedan first.

The_Judge

Each to his own! I just turned 72, and the LAST thing I want in a car is a living-room-sofa ride.

BeachBunny

Definitely get the luxury suspension! My '18 E300 has the Luxury suspension and I'm currently driving an '18 E300 with Sport suspension, lowered suspension, and 19" wheels. Major difference to me, especially when it comes to road noise. Still not a bad ride, but it doesn't feel as special as my car.

I've driven an E300 Luxury side-by-side with a E300 w/Airmatic suspension. I actually didn't know the one car had the air suspension until I parked it and was looking over the cabin. Given that, I find it hard to justify the cost, especially repair costs down the road. ALL air suspensions will have expensive repairs at some point. No manufacturer is immune from this.

Ronny G

jamesmhood

BeachBunny

I'm almost half your age and I completely agree!

LAC300

Same here, that's why I have an E400 sedan w/ the luxury package. 38 out of 40 E-classes in dealer stock are the sport package but it makes no sense to me, these aren't sports cars, they should be comfortable and quick. If you want a sports car get a Porsche. I can't stand all the fake sports car badging these days (Lexus F-sport is a big lol).

ua549

I bought the sport package only because the old fashioned luxury grill looked too outdated for my wife. Happy wife = happy life

Well, I did have trouble buying 245/45-17 tires because the local stores seem to not stock them. That's why I went with the 245/45-18 setup. Both sizes have the same sidewall dimension of 4.3" so the ride is about the same.

El Cid

If you really want the most comfortable ride, I doubt MB will be for you. Latest road tests from Consumer Reports indicate the new E Class is not as comfortable as previous generation. MB has never manufactured the most comfortable cars. Although the new S Class supposedly is very comfortable.
I have a 2010 E350 specially ordered to get the Luxury (comfort) suspension and 17" wheels. It has never been a very comfortable riding car. Even with the luxury or comfort suspension, wheels, etc., The dealer checked it out three times and even took a ride with tech. He said all the parts for the comfort/luxury option were correct. "It's a German car and that's the way they ride" was final answer. MB focuses so much on performance for basic platforms and other equipment that a truly comfortable ride isn't possible.
I like my car and it is marginally comfortable enough for me.
My wife's Nissan Rogue is far more comfortable and quieter. For long trips that's the one we take.
I would recommend you take long distance rides in several competitor cars. If you really want comfort as priority one, check out Lexus-if you can get past the world's ugliest grills.
Incidentally the wheel situation is that the 17" wheels have low-profile tires and ride harshly, whereas 18" wheels have "normal" profile tires which can absorb more shocks.