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I recently had a couple loaner E's and changed my mind about blaming the RFT's for the rough ride
The loaner E's with 18" wheels and RFT's felt soft and smooth, going over the SAME curb out of the dealership I barely felt compared to my car. The steering was smoother but less responsive.
1.) Bigger wheels= less tire meat
2.) Sport package= lower/stiffer ride
RFT's on this car felt like you didnt even know they were RFTs.
I think the bigger wheel size AND sport suspension are the main contributors to the bumpy ride, not ENTIRELY the RFT's themselves.
I know people had mentioned the non-RFT's made a big difference but this car has RFT's and felt fantastic. Idk what to believe now lol. I think its the wheel size and suspension after driving this car....
The E300s I test-drove, all of which had RFTs and 18" wheels, drove great and seemed to take highway and slow, rough bumps very well. We drive these things prior to buying, and if they were really all that bad, you'd think we'd notice. I think many drive the 18" versions, then order 19" and 20" (LOVE those big wheels!), and are surprised with the difference (low profiles handle better, right?). But there's a big trade-off. I might even consider the standard 17" wheels on the Luxury version, if I didn't find them way too plain, for me.
2.) Sport package= lower/stiffer ride
I think the bigger wheel size AND sport suspension are the main contributors to the bumpy ride
As far as I know there is no "sport suspension" so I don't think that can explain the difference in ride between these cars.....
The standard cars as well as the cars with the sport package have 677 - lowered suspension with selective damping. Only the Luxury styling comes with the "normal" suspension with selective damping (485).
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
I specifically ordered Luxury styling with the stock wheels – 18 inches. I wanted the extra ground clearance for bad weather conditions and ability to park without fear of hitting the concrete car stops in parking garages and/or lots.
I choose substance (practicality) over form (looks of the AMG).
On my prior MB 2016 E350 I also specifically ordered the Luxury styling for the exact same reasons.
I consider the E450 the ultimate mid-size luxury car. I never considered it a “sport car”. I equipped it as a luxury car and I am completely satisfied: the ride is smooth and quiet and handling is excellent.
I get colliding info regarding the avantgarde and amg line suspension. When I ordered my amg line car the suspension was specified as the same lowered comfort oriented avantgarde suspension. But when I check the "price list" basically swedish dog it says amg line includes sport suspension. But I have test driven a base model with 17 inch without RFT wheels and to be honest the difference wasnt that dramatic compared to my 19 inch RFT, most roads where I live are in good condition but with very rough asphalt so there will be road noise whatever you do. The car is good riding from design and the small changes mercedes might make with the AMG line probably arent that dramatic from a cost perspective.
As far as I know there is no "sport suspension" so I don't think that can explain the difference in ride between these cars.....
The standard cars as well as the cars with the sport package have 677 - lowered suspension with selective damping. Only the Luxury styling comes with the "normal" suspension with selective damping (485).
You are correct, of course, but as the Sport package always has the lowered suspension, I can see that called Sport suspension. The Sport Package itself is a bit confusing: if you go to price an E online, while you can select the Luxury Styling package, or the AMG Line Exterior package (Night or non-Night), no where can you choose Sport package or styling. It's talked about all the time, and there is 321/DG4 "package" listed in the DOG, and probably on an order sheet, but on the web site, the default appearance, if you don't order another package, IS the Sport package. Why call it that if that is what the car is without anything added to it? I think it makes things confusing.
Is your E300 a model year 2018 or 2017? are your loaners 2019s? I have a 2018 with 18s and believe it drives a lot worse than a model year 2019 with 19inch rims.
The brand of the RFTs will matter as well, but without driving any of them back to back - I can not provide a good opinion,
Is your E300 a model year 2018 or 2017? are your loaners 2019s? I have a 2018 with 18s and believe it drives a lot worse than a model year 2019 with 19inch rims.
The brand of the RFTs will matter as well, but without driving any of them back to back - I can not provide a good opinion,
I have a 2017. Its an EOY build 11/17 I believe. The loaners were brand new less then 1k miles 2019’s.
Maybe the tire compounds have changed? Possibly the complaints translated into tire production?
I have a 2017. Its an EOY build 11/17 I believe. The loaners were brand new less then 1k miles 2019’s.
Maybe the tire compounds have changed? Possibly the complaints translated into tire production?
I doubt it is the tires, i had several Benz with RFTs and i had no complaints whatsoever and they all drove like a dream. I am thinking MB tweaked the 2019 with the steering and or suspension to drive better due to complaints or any other many reasons.
The 2019 drives like a Benz again and I enjoyed it. I have a feeling the 2017 and 2018 allowed more feedback to come up through the steering and or suspension, to create the feeling that it is more sportier. If you drive an AMG you will feel more of this feeling multiplied - even the mid model AMGs, which i dislike and I do not think it makes the car any more fun to drive. .
The new BMW 5 series steering wheel feels like it is constantly pulsating which they did because some complained that the steering felt too numb. Not sure why anyone would like a pulsating steering wheel in my opinion.
I doubt it is the tires, i had several Benz with RFTs and i had no complaints whatsoever and they all drove like a dream. I am thinking MB tweaked the 2019 with the steering and or suspension to drive better due to complaints or any other many reasons.
The 2019 drives like a Benz again and I enjoyed it. I have a feeling the 2017 and 2018 allowed more feedback to come up through the steering and or suspension, to create the feeling that it is more sportier. If you drive an AMG you will feel more of this feeling multiplied - even the mid model AMGs, which i dislike and I do not think it makes the car any more fun to drive. .
The new BMW 5 series steering wheel feels like it is constantly pulsating which they did because some complained that the steering felt too numb. Not sure why anyone would like a pulsating steering wheel in my opinion.
That sounds reasonable, I have heard so many complaints of the car being to rough but my car has been very floaty so never really understood the fuss. Good thing mercedes realised it and made some changes.
I've only test driven 4 so far: a C300, 2 E300s and an E450, and found the ride great in all of them. So, summary: We all buy MBs because of the great ride, and then we join forums to complain about the ride? JK, but it seems that way. Of course, probably no one would start a forum thread with "My car still rides great."
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Just my observations:
Everyone on this forum who has the Luxury styling seems to 100% satisfied with the ride, handling, smoothness and quietness of their MB.
As I wrote the EClass especially the E450 is, imo, the ultimate mid size luxury car. It is substance over form.
Most of the complaints are when people buy add on's or extra to try to transform their MB to something else - a "sports" sedan, by "upgrading wheels" or lowering the car - AMG, etc. By "customizing" their car to look better, handle better they are putting form (looks) over substance (the best engineered car made)
The engineers in Germany - let them do their job which is to provide the best mid size luxury vehicle available.
As the old adage pointed out "If it ain't broke, do not fix it!"
I've only test driven 4 so far: a C300, 2 E300s and an E450, and found the ride great in all of them. So, summary: We all buy MBs because of the great ride, and then we join forums to complain about the ride? JK, but it seems that way. Of course, probably no one would start a forum thread with "My car still rides great."
Most of us on this e-class forum had several benzes before, which is also another reason for the complaints which we do by comparing to previous models. RFT getting the most hate in the meantime haha.
Everyone on this forum who has the Luxury styling seems to 100% satisfied with the ride, handling, smoothness and quietness of their MB.
As I wrote the EClass especially the E450 is, imo, the ultimate mid size luxury car. It is substance over form.
Most of the complaints are when people buy add on's or extra to try to transform their MB to something else - a "sports" sedan, by "upgrading wheels" or lowering the car - AMG, etc. By "customizing" their car to look better, handle better they are putting form (looks) over substance (the best engineered car made)
The engineers in Germany - let them do their job which is to provide the best mid size luxury vehicle available.
As the old adage pointed out "If it ain't broke, do not fix it!"
So far haven't seen a single e450 complaint. Wonder if the suspension was setup for the heavier v6, but they are using it for the 4cyl models as well? Just a thought.
Just like the way the air control option doesnt work so well for the diesel engine ( i think it was the diesel version)
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
I believe most of the complaints are from people who have either sport styling, AMG package or larger wheels.
To those who have these options: did you think that lowering the car (sport style) and/or putting larger tires (smaller sidewalls) was going to make the car ride smoother?
There is a trade off for "better handling" (form - the aggressive look of the larger wheels and tires) over function (getting the car the way the German engineers designed it - a luxury car) and that is comfort and quietness!
I believe most of the complaints are from people who have either sport styling, AMG package or larger wheels.
To those who have these options: did you think that lowering the car (sport style) and/or putting larger tires (smaller sidewalls) was going to make the car ride smoother?
There is a trade off for "better handling" (form - the aggressive look of the larger wheels and tires) over function (getting the car the way the German engineers designed it - a luxury car) and that is comfort and quietness!
my 2015 sl550 drove lightyears smoother than my 2018 e300.
considering we have people that either love their e300 or hate their e300, i really wonder if it is a quality issue,.... did something really happen within the factories?? different lines/plants...? my greatest goal is to be able to meet up with those that love their e300 and drive them back to back lol
18s are the standard on this car, i bet 9 out 10 is a sports package vs the luxury. this cannot be the reason why we are complaining
IMO part of the issue is the additional unsprung weight from the RFTs along with the unyielding sidewalls. Older models also had higher aspect ratio tires (195/70) that added significant cushioning.
07-22-2019, 08:41 PM
