E450 Wagon front suspension bottoming out?
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2020
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2014 GL63 Eurocharged Stage 1
Reviving an old thread here but my '18 E400 wagon is doing the same thing. Runs out of suspension travel in the front very quickly over dips in the road and right into the bump stops. The front end feels underdamped/too soft. It would seem a stiff spring would help. My car has the AMG package so I'm assuming that's the lower suspension?
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From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Reviving an old thread here but my '18 E400 wagon is doing the same thing. Runs out of suspension travel in the front very quickly over dips in the road and right into the bump stops. The front end feels underdamped/too soft. It would seem a stiff spring would help. My car has the AMG package so I'm assuming that's the lower suspension?
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Joined: Oct 2015
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2019 E300
Reviving an old thread here but my '18 E400 wagon is doing the same thing. Runs out of suspension travel in the front very quickly over dips in the road and right into the bump stops. The front end feels underdamped/too soft. It would seem a stiff spring would help. My car has the AMG package so I'm assuming that's the lower suspension?
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 567
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From: Austin TX Area
2020 E450 Wagon
I have a 2020 E450 wagon and it only has 9800 and change miles on it and over certain road expansion joints my front suspension has also bottomed out. It has happened maybe four times in the 20 months I've owned the car. It has noting to do with worn springs and struts, my car is evidence of that.
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2019 E300
I have a 2020 E450 wagon and it only has 9800 and change miles on it and over certain road expansion joints my front suspension has also bottomed out. It has happened maybe four times in the 20 months I've owned the car. It has noting to do with worn springs and struts, my car is evidence of that.
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
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From: Austin TX Area
2020 E450 Wagon
I have the 18" AMG wheels and don't have many instances of hard impacts from a wheels perspective but have still bottomed out the suspension a few times driving reasonable speeds.
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2019 E300
18” are a bit softer than 19” but by about the same amount as the 19” handling better than 18”, in other words, its a very small amount. This generation of E class is probably one of the best handle E class sedans Mercedes ever made. With that added handling, short suspension travel and harsh suspension is the trade off. Personally, I would rather prefer Mercedes go back to their roots, built comfortable cruisers that is overbuild and over-engineered. An E class thar can ride comfortably over potholes and feels like a tank.
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 567
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From: Austin TX Area
2020 E450 Wagon
18” are a bit softer than 19” but by about the same amount as the 19” handling better than 18”, in other words, its a very small amount. This generation of E class is probably one of the best handle E class sedans Mercedes ever made. With that added handling, short suspension travel and harsh suspension is the trade off. Personally, I would rather prefer Mercedes go back to their roots, built comfortable cruisers that is overbuild and over-engineered. An E class thar can ride comfortably over potholes and feels like a tank.
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From: Long Island, NY
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
The price of the Mercedes was steep but it held its value: Expensive but worth every penny!
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From: Long Island, NY
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
I think they sell what their customers buy more of. For example, I know in 2020 was the last year MB offered a 'Luxury' styled E450 wagon and the reason for that was they sold very few of them. When I test drove the 2020 E450 wagons, I did test drive both the 'Luxury' trim and the 'sporty AMG' trim. I personally liked the softer ride of the Luxury trim but I didn't like the cornering, it was very wishy washy with the softer luxury suspension so I opted for the AMG trim model.
You are aware that engine response, steering response and suspension are adjustable: If you put an E Class "luxury" type which I have and the 18" tires, put it in sport mode you get all the handling you need without the extra expense of the AMG package and their large wheels which are prone to wheel damage and bubbles. If "sport" is not enough performance then "Sport +" especially with the E450, unless you are on a track, is more than enough performance for anyone!
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
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From: Austin TX Area
2020 E450 Wagon
Just my $.02:
You are aware that engine response, steering response and suspension are adjustable: If you put an E Class "luxury" type which I have and the 18" tires, put it in sport mode you get all the handling you need without the extra expense of the AMG package and their large wheels which are prone to wheel damage and bubbles. If "sport" is not enough performance then "Sport +" especially with the E450, unless you are on a track, is more than enough performance for anyone!
You are aware that engine response, steering response and suspension are adjustable: If you put an E Class "luxury" type which I have and the 18" tires, put it in sport mode you get all the handling you need without the extra expense of the AMG package and their large wheels which are prone to wheel damage and bubbles. If "sport" is not enough performance then "Sport +" especially with the E450, unless you are on a track, is more than enough performance for anyone!
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2019 E300
I see your point but disagree. How would you know what is acceptable performance for 'everyone?'. When I test drove the luxury wagon I did have it in sport and the sales person took me on some backroads to push it. I still felt it had too much body lean for me, not that I race around everywhere I drive. Also, I live in Austin Texas, the roads are excellent on 95% of road surfaces in the central Texas area, unlike the roads were in MA when I lived there so not worried about wheel damage here. I've never had any wheel damage and don't expect to on 18" wheels. 19" and 20" possibly. Before my wagon I had an X5 diesel with optional 20" wheels and never had any issues, just one flat tire. Each unto their own.
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
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From: Austin TX Area
2020 E450 Wagon
I can't answer your question but my 2020 E-450 wagon had the same issue on the front shocks. This only occurred if I was driving 70mph or more and drove over bridge/highway joints, the speed would cause it to bottom out but it was not very often.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2020
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2019 e450 wagon. 2017 infiniti Q60. 2006 e350 wagon.
Airmatic failure after 47k miles.
I live in Portland OR. My 2019 e450 wagon cannot handle the smallest pot holes without sounding like dropped text book on a wood floor. Further my airmatic suspension fuse has blown out twice in 1 month. No bellow leaks, just fuse blow outs for no reason. I love this car for all the obvious reasons but it has many highly annoying problems.
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 567
Likes: 173
From: Austin TX Area
2020 E450 Wagon
I live in Portland OR. My 2019 e450 wagon cannot handle the smallest pot holes without sounding like dropped text book on a wood floor. Further my airmatic suspension fuse has blown out twice in 1 month. No bellow leaks, just fuse blow outs for no reason. I love this car for all the obvious reasons but it has many highly annoying problems.
