E450 and S+ mode
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,530
Likes: 387
Only MBs - the best or nothing
E300 does not apply. Day and night difference, hence its for E450 only. Had several E300 loaners, drove all exclusively in S+ otherwise cars would not accelerate the way I used to, so no drama in S+ for E300. So please, only E450 folks chip in.
Before I bought this very same car, test drove it in S+ without any issues I noticed when test drove GCL43. Now after I "broke it in" in S instead of C (it took me only almost 4 months to put 1K on it, that's how much I love this car), I tried S+ and car was behaving like GLC43 was in S+. Hence the question.
Before I bought this very same car, test drove it in S+ without any issues I noticed when test drove GCL43. Now after I "broke it in" in S instead of C (it took me only almost 4 months to put 1K on it, that's how much I love this car), I tried S+ and car was behaving like GLC43 was in S+. Hence the question.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 691
Likes: 173
From: CT, USA
2024 AMG GLE 53
E300 does not apply. Day and night difference, hence its for E450 only. Had several E300 loaners, drove all exclusively in S+ otherwise cars would not accelerate the way I used to, so no drama in S+ for E300. So please, only E450 folks chip in.
Before I bought this very same car, test drove it in S+ without any issues I noticed when test drove GCL43. Now after I "broke it in" in S instead of C (it took me only almost 4 months to put 1K on it, that's how much I love this car), I tried S+ and car was behaving like GLC43 was in S+. Hence the question.
Before I bought this very same car, test drove it in S+ without any issues I noticed when test drove GCL43. Now after I "broke it in" in S instead of C (it took me only almost 4 months to put 1K on it, that's how much I love this car), I tried S+ and car was behaving like GLC43 was in S+. Hence the question.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,530
Likes: 387
Only MBs - the best or nothing
No offense meant nor should be taken as such. I specifically stated E450 w. S+, not just S+. Do not want to start 450 vs. 300 (brabus of whatever, car is no longer stock so factory behavior is altered) discussion, question is specifically to stock E450s for those using S+ frequently. Most posts I saw here, people use C with occasional S. Behavior of car in S+ (E450 has basically the same engine as 43AMGs) is peculiar to say the list. C43s and GLC43s V6TT have the same behavior in S+, those boards are filled with complains. I personally experience this behavior in '18 GLC43 during test drive (sales manager, whom I personally know, went on ride with me and said the V6TT AMGs all behave like this in S+ and I have to "learn" how to drive them in S+, wtf?).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,577
Likes: 264
From: Portland, OR
C450, GLC43
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 554
Likes: 63
From: Virginia
2019 E450 Cabriolet, 2020 GLS450
My E450 Cab does pop and crackle in S+ mode and I love it! You really only hear it when your foot is on the gas pedal and you remove it. Then it crackles. I don’t really hear it otherwise... all I really notice is much higher RPMs before it shifts to the next gear.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
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
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,834
Likes: 773
From: Venice Florida
2018 S560
Plus the gas pedal response is magnified like about 20x, you have to be careful in Sport plus mode when you're in tight areas and it really does take some getting use to, but most of the time around town I do drive in sport plus mode as it's just more fun. On the highway it would be dumb to leave it in sport plus mode as you just going to hang in 5th gear and turn a lot more rpms and burn a lot more gas.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,530
Likes: 387
Only MBs - the best or nothing
Yesterday in S+ for the very first time (almost 4 months after I purchased it finally hit 1K, can not get used to this V6TT after years in V8TTs), car exhibited a violent back and forth jerking, exactly what I experienced in GLC43 in S+ when accelerating hard from coasting, then abruptly lifting off then immediately re-applying gas. When I test drove this very same E450 prior to buying it 4 months ago, it exhibited none of this in S+. Maybe I am used to its behavior in S (maybe I should have broke it in in C instead of S?) and have to get used to S+ (re-learn how to drive in S+ without jerking it). Thanks to responders.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 579
Likes: 74
From: UK
MY19 E450 4MATIC Coupé
I find S+ to be quite twitchy and overly sensitive to throttle input from standstill or low speed maneuvers. I rarely use it unless I find myself in a situation where I want it on maximum attack.
Having said that, I started it the other day in S+ and it really fired up with a lot more aural drama than I'm used to from it. I was pleasantly surprised. Now I start it in S+ every time, and then just drive away in C, at least until the engine has warmed up
Having said that, I started it the other day in S+ and it really fired up with a lot more aural drama than I'm used to from it. I was pleasantly surprised. Now I start it in S+ every time, and then just drive away in C, at least until the engine has warmed up
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 151
From: Greater Cleveland area
2019 Dune Silver Metallic E-450 Mercedes Cabriolet NEW Mercedes 2020 GLC300 graphite gray SUV
I was quite surprised the first time I engaged sports+ on my E450 CAB. It lurched forward (rear wheel drive) and acted like a totally different car. The pops and gurgles as you accelerate and release the gas pedal are exhilarating; definitely putting a smile on my face.
As others mentioned, it does take getting some used to, but sure is a lot of fun to use on short occasions. I can't see using it all the time, nor would I want to. There are just certain times and days when you just feel like tearing out a little, and I can tell you the E450 does not disappoint.
As others mentioned, it does take getting some used to, but sure is a lot of fun to use on short occasions. I can't see using it all the time, nor would I want to. There are just certain times and days when you just feel like tearing out a little, and I can tell you the E450 does not disappoint.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 333
From: Tampa, FL
2019 E450 4Matic & 2018 E400 4Matic
Yesterday in S+ for the very first time (almost 4 months after I purchased it finally hit 1K, can not get used to this V6TT after years in V8TTs), car exhibited a violent back and forth jerking, exactly what I experienced in GLC43 in S+ when accelerating hard from coasting, then abruptly lifting off then immediately re-applying gas. When I test drove this very same E450 prior to buying it 4 months ago, it exhibited none of this in S+. Maybe I am used to its behavior in S (maybe I should have broke it in in C instead of S?) and have to get used to S+ (re-learn how to drive in S+ without jerking it). Thanks to responders.
I just broke the 1K miles mark a week ago (got my car in November) and put my car in S for the very first time this past weekend. I haven't tried S+ and can't even think of many reasons I'll need S+ living in a major metropolitan area.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,530
Likes: 387
Only MBs - the best or nothing
You drove the 1st 1K miles in S????? Did you not read your owners manual on what is recommended during the first 1K break in period? It said to drive in Comfort or Eco (avoiding S and S+) at varying speeds throughout the break in period.
I just broke the 1K miles mark a week ago (got my car in November) and put my car in S for the very first time this past weekend. I haven't tried S+ and can't even think of many reasons I'll need S+ living in a major metropolitan area.
I just broke the 1K miles mark a week ago (got my car in November) and put my car in S for the very first time this past weekend. I haven't tried S+ and can't even think of many reasons I'll need S+ living in a major metropolitan area.
I also wrote somewhere above that I test drove this very same car I bought 4 months ago - I pushed it really hard in S+ during "test drive" (did not know I was going to buy it same day) - no issues. I suppose that after driving it in S for 4 months without pushing it too much and getting used to it, once switched to S+ it was very different...
Last edited by threeMBs; Mar 28, 2019 at 09:13 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 333
From: Tampa, FL
2019 E450 4Matic & 2018 E400 4Matic
No.. it is only my 19th MB (9th E). The key is not the program one is in, except of course for S+, its the revs. Always stayed under 4K rpm (probably mostly under 3K). Having said that, it is my 1st MB with both E and C (E300 loaners not included and I always drove them in S+ and still was *****ing how slow they were off the line). For all previous models it was either E or C, and I never even drove in E/C, including during break in - always in S. W213 E450 could actually be driven in C, as I just found out after breaking it in in S first, without much performance loss vs. S. But S vs. S+...well that's a different story. Interesting, you also put only 1K in 4 months.
I also wrote somewhere above that I test drove this very same car I bought 4 months ago - I pushed it really hard in S+ during "test drive" (did not know I was going to buy it same day) - no issues. I suppose that after driving it in S for 4 months without pushing it too much and getting used to it, once switched to S+ it was very different...
I also wrote somewhere above that I test drove this very same car I bought 4 months ago - I pushed it really hard in S+ during "test drive" (did not know I was going to buy it same day) - no issues. I suppose that after driving it in S for 4 months without pushing it too much and getting used to it, once switched to S+ it was very different...
Ps: Altogether we've owned more than 19 Benzes. Goofy of me, I know, but I have read the owners manual cover to cover with each one.
Last edited by rbrylaw; Mar 28, 2019 at 09:22 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 905
From: Long Island, NY
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
As noted below I have a 2019 E450 Luxury which I got at the end of December 2018.
I now have about 2700 miles on the car and have driven it to Vermont three times (round trip 520) miles. So the mileage is a combination of local, highway and long distance.
I have experimented with C, S and S+: I have not tried E. Each time I come back to the standard C mode: I like the luxury feeling of the C mode. I find that in S the gears are kept too long in the rev range and in S+ hardly ever goes into 9th gear.
If I ever need passing power I use the paddle shifters.
On my last trip at average speed of 59 mph (combined local driving and highway, where highway speed was on cruise control at 73) I averaged 33.1 mpg: so I have not tried E mode!
I find that in C mode, for me (just my opinion) it is the perfect combination of comfort, acceleration and economy.
I now have about 2700 miles on the car and have driven it to Vermont three times (round trip 520) miles. So the mileage is a combination of local, highway and long distance.
I have experimented with C, S and S+: I have not tried E. Each time I come back to the standard C mode: I like the luxury feeling of the C mode. I find that in S the gears are kept too long in the rev range and in S+ hardly ever goes into 9th gear.
If I ever need passing power I use the paddle shifters.
On my last trip at average speed of 59 mph (combined local driving and highway, where highway speed was on cruise control at 73) I averaged 33.1 mpg: so I have not tried E mode!
I find that in C mode, for me (just my opinion) it is the perfect combination of comfort, acceleration and economy.
Last edited by JTK44; Mar 29, 2019 at 09:04 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 333
From: Tampa, FL
2019 E450 4Matic & 2018 E400 4Matic
As noted below I have a 2019 E450 Luxury which I got at the end of December 2018.
I now have about 2700 miles on the car and have driven it to Vermont three times (round trip 520) miles. So it a combination of local, highway and long distance.
I have experimented with C, S and S+: I have not tried E. Each time I come back to the standard C mode: I like the luxury feeling of the C mode. I find that in S the gears are kept too long in the rev range and in S+ hardly ever goes into 9th gear.
If I ever need passing power I use the paddle shifters.
On my last trip at average speed of 59 mph (combined local driving and highway, where highway speed was on cruise control at 73) I averaged 33.1 mpg: so I have not tried E mode!
I find that in C mode, for me (just my opinion) it is the perfect combination of comfort, acceleration and economy.
I now have about 2700 miles on the car and have driven it to Vermont three times (round trip 520) miles. So it a combination of local, highway and long distance.
I have experimented with C, S and S+: I have not tried E. Each time I come back to the standard C mode: I like the luxury feeling of the C mode. I find that in S the gears are kept too long in the rev range and in S+ hardly ever goes into 9th gear.
If I ever need passing power I use the paddle shifters.
On my last trip at average speed of 59 mph (combined local driving and highway, where highway speed was on cruise control at 73) I averaged 33.1 mpg: so I have not tried E mode!
I find that in C mode, for me (just my opinion) it is the perfect combination of comfort, acceleration and economy.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 151
From: Greater Cleveland area
2019 Dune Silver Metallic E-450 Mercedes Cabriolet NEW Mercedes 2020 GLC300 graphite gray SUV
As noted below I have a 2019 E450 Luxury which I got at the end of December 2018.
I now have about 2700 miles on the car and have driven it to Vermont three times (round trip 520) miles. So the mileage is a combination of local, highway and long distance.
I have experimented with C, S and S+: I have not tried E. Each time I come back to the standard C mode: I like the luxury feeling of the C mode. I find that in S the gears are kept too long in the rev range and in S+ hardly ever goes into 9th gear.
If I ever need passing power I use the paddle shifters.
On my last trip at average speed of 59 mph (combined local driving and highway, where highway speed was on cruise control at 73) I averaged 33.1 mpg: so I have not tried E mode!
I find that in C mode, for me (just my opinion) it is the perfect combination of comfort, acceleration and economy.
I now have about 2700 miles on the car and have driven it to Vermont three times (round trip 520) miles. So the mileage is a combination of local, highway and long distance.
I have experimented with C, S and S+: I have not tried E. Each time I come back to the standard C mode: I like the luxury feeling of the C mode. I find that in S the gears are kept too long in the rev range and in S+ hardly ever goes into 9th gear.
If I ever need passing power I use the paddle shifters.
On my last trip at average speed of 59 mph (combined local driving and highway, where highway speed was on cruise control at 73) I averaged 33.1 mpg: so I have not tried E mode!
I find that in C mode, for me (just my opinion) it is the perfect combination of comfort, acceleration and economy.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 577
Likes: 76
From: New York, NY
2021 Mercedes Benz e450 Wagon
Rod, you live in Florida. Flat roads. Straight highways. Perfect for C. It is smooth as silk, power when you need it, hits 9 when you're cruising for great mileage. I use it 80% of the time.
The other 20% of the time is S to deal with traffic in and out of the city, plus those delightfully curvy country roads in Westchester and Dutchess counties.
S+? I've toyed with it for fun but it's really more of a true sport setting. Always hangs around in 5 or 6, probably for the "track", etc.
E? I've tried it a few times just to see glide mode (turns off the engine on declines). I might use E if I were driving on a long, long, long monotonous trip.
What a great car we all have. Just blown away by the E450. Of course, wide screen Android Auto would be nice. ;-)
The other 20% of the time is S to deal with traffic in and out of the city, plus those delightfully curvy country roads in Westchester and Dutchess counties.
S+? I've toyed with it for fun but it's really more of a true sport setting. Always hangs around in 5 or 6, probably for the "track", etc.
E? I've tried it a few times just to see glide mode (turns off the engine on declines). I might use E if I were driving on a long, long, long monotonous trip.
What a great car we all have. Just blown away by the E450. Of course, wide screen Android Auto would be nice. ;-)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,915
Likes: 262
From: Ontario,Canada
...24 GLE53
I use the E mode when on a trip. It's basically the same as C but adds sailing. I've noticed the sail on the screen a few times when coasting, sort of neat. S+ mode is seldom used except on back country roads which is next to never and sometimes when using the sport exhaust. The burps and crackles make me feel young again. Then I look in the mirror, and it's still the same old fool there.
Last edited by petee1997; Mar 29, 2019 at 10:37 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 151
From: Greater Cleveland area
2019 Dune Silver Metallic E-450 Mercedes Cabriolet NEW Mercedes 2020 GLC300 graphite gray SUV
I use the E mode when on a trip. It's basically the same as C but adds sailing. I've noticed the sail on the screen a few times when coasting, sort of neat. S+ mode is seldom used except on back country roads which is next to never and sometimes when using the sport exhaust. The burps and crackles make me feel young again. Then I look in the mirror, and it's still the same old fool there.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
E450 Coupe
I fell in love with the E450 based on pics and vids. I basically decided that was my next car before I ever sat in one, let alone drove one. I came from a 2016 BMW 535ix with the MPPK installed. In that car, the difference between Sport and Sport+ was that Sport+ turned off the traction control. So, the day I drove the E400 (no 450 available on the lot) I put the car in Sport. I was very disappointed with the throttle response and shift points and hoped I wasn't making a mistake. After getting my 450 and putting it in Sport+ I was pleasantly surprised.
To answer the original question, when the family is in the car, I usually leave it in C. But when I'm alone I like to keep it in "I" which I have set to S+ for the engine and C for the suspension. It's the best of both worlds because I get the throttle response and the sound of S+ but the ride of C.
To answer the original question, when the family is in the car, I usually leave it in C. But when I'm alone I like to keep it in "I" which I have set to S+ for the engine and C for the suspension. It's the best of both worlds because I get the throttle response and the sound of S+ but the ride of C.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 333
From: Tampa, FL
2019 E450 4Matic & 2018 E400 4Matic
Rod, you live in Florida. Flat roads. Straight highways. Perfect for C. It is smooth as silk, power when you need it, hits 9 when you're cruising for great mileage. I use it 80% of the time.
The other 20% of the time is S to deal with traffic in and out of the city, plus those delightfully curvy country roads in Westchester and Dutchess counties.
S+? I've toyed with it for fun but it's really more of a true sport setting. Always hangs around in 5 or 6, probably for the "track", etc.
E? I've tried it a few times just to see glide mode (turns off the engine on declines). I might use E if I were driving on a long, long, long monotonous trip.
What a great car we all have. Just blown away by the E450. Of course, wide screen Android Auto would be nice. ;-)
The other 20% of the time is S to deal with traffic in and out of the city, plus those delightfully curvy country roads in Westchester and Dutchess counties.
S+? I've toyed with it for fun but it's really more of a true sport setting. Always hangs around in 5 or 6, probably for the "track", etc.
E? I've tried it a few times just to see glide mode (turns off the engine on declines). I might use E if I were driving on a long, long, long monotonous trip.
What a great car we all have. Just blown away by the E450. Of course, wide screen Android Auto would be nice. ;-)
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 151
From: Greater Cleveland area
2019 Dune Silver Metallic E-450 Mercedes Cabriolet NEW Mercedes 2020 GLC300 graphite gray SUV
To answer the original question, when the family is in the car, I usually leave it in C. But when I'm alone I like to keep it in "I" which I have set to S+ for the engine and C for the suspension. It's the best of both worlds because I get the throttle response and the sound of S+ but the ride of C.
