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I notice it for sure. I won't drive in sport while I'm in the city. Too bouncy and harsh. Sport mode without the potholes is a bit more "spirited" and the steering I find to be a little tighter. I often switch (if I remember to) once I'm outside the city.
IMO The sport suspension in comfort mode rides about the same as luxury suspension. I can't compare handling because I've only driven a luxury "loaner" E300 for a few hours.
Porsche Cayman S, Mercedes W213, Nissan Titan, BMW X5, Chevrolet Suburban
My good friend has a W213 sport model and I ride with him with some frequency. Maybe he rides in Sport mode or individual setting but his ride is definitely stiffer. We both have 18 inch wheels, yet mine is the luxury model. Perhaps the difference is because he doesn't have the air suspension?
I must agree with ua549. I have a 2019 E-Class, no air suspension. In Comfort mode it is very smooth and soft riding. In Sport mode, it rides stiffer, gas and steering response is much quicker, and handles much more like a sports car. It has an even harsher setting that I have not tried yet as it sounds more like it is designed for racing. Mine is a Sports model, not a Luxury model.
I must agree with ua549. I have a 2019 E-Class, no air suspension. In Comfort mode it is very smooth and soft riding. In Sport mode, it rides stiffer, gas and steering response is much quicker, and handles much more like a sports car. It has an even harsher setting that I have not tried yet as it sounds more like it is designed for racing. Mine is a Sports model, not a Luxury model.
Suspension setting in 2015 SL has nothing to do with gas response (transmission). Its a suspension only set up.
Thanks, folks. I have contacted my local dealer to set up some test drives. Unfortunately, they only have Sport models in stock. I would like to drive a Sport model back to back with a Luxury model to compare the ride. I do like the wheels and exterior treatment of the Sport model over the Luxury model.
Suspension setting in 2015 SL has nothing to do with gas response (transmission). Its a suspension only set up.
It is different for my 2019 E-Class. It effects the throttle response quite a bit. Here is a copy of the description from my brochure:DYNAMIC SELECT lets you vary the car’s character via a single control on the console. Driving modes from Comfort to Sport+ fine-tune the shifting, steering, throttle and more.
IMO The sport suspension in comfort mode rides about the same as luxury suspension. I can't compare handling because I've only driven a luxury "loaner" E300 for a few hours.
I can confirm a that a Luxury model rides a while lot better than a Sport Model in terms of ride comfort and even better with non run flat tires. Again this is IMO and I also think it’s a personal choice. You can still drive a Luxury model car in Sport mode like wise a Sport model in sport mode. I personally would never own a Sport model car. Go test drive back to back for your own opinion and piece of mind
I had even special ordered my 2015 C300 to get a Luxury model with Distronic Plus (Semi- autonomous) technology. Good luck
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
COL Morin: I have been getting E300 Sport loaner cars from the dealer and have not cared for them. The ride has been decent, but the overall cars have left me unimpressed. My wife drives the previous generation 2016 E350 Luxury, a car that feels SO much more solid and substantial over the current E300’s, but the ride is not as good. I’ve told you all of that, so I can tell you this:
We just picked up a 2019 E450 Luxury trim WAGON. It has the V6 we love in our SL’s, along with Air Body Control, 18” wheels and the Acoustic Comfort Pkg. This little wagon just BLOWS me away! The ride quality is simply wonderful, the interior is just SO quiet and the thing handles sensationally! And, for me, I just LOVE the looks of the wagon. The overall dimensions are almost identical to the sedan and you get all that utility should you need it.
If you see a wagon or sedan available equipped like ours, I highly recommend that you test drive it!
Last edited by Streamliner; Aug 3, 2020 at 06:57 PM.
Beautiful car. I actually do like that piano black lined wood. You definitely have a very unique car. I really like my wagon but Its been a while since I've driven it. I think my car would ride even better if it had the 18 inch wheels, the 19's and above are little too much I think as far as ride quality goes.
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Originally Posted by 50thae
I must agree with ua549. I have a 2019 E-Class, no air suspension. In Comfort mode it is very smooth and soft riding. In Sport mode, it rides stiffer, gas and steering response is much quicker, and handles much more like a sports car. It has an even harsher setting that I have not tried yet as it sounds more like it is designed for racing. Mine is a Sports model, not a Luxury model.
I have the E450 Luxury: I keep my settings:
Steering sport: I like a more responsive steering
Suspension comfort. I prefer this setting to the others: pot holes, indentation are well absorbed
engine economy. With the 6 cylinder I have ample power and do not need either sport or sport+. On long trips I average over 32 mpg, probably equal to or better than a 4 cylinder. In economy mode I have a very refined response, which imo, is more in keeping with what I expect in a Mercedes.
Regarding the sedan, the dynamic settings do not change the suspension at all. It is passive and not driver controllable. Not sure if this is different if you have air suspension - but changing the suspension on the sedan only changes the esp - which i believe is the traction control.
Regarding amg line vs luxury line for the sedan, I hardly felt no difference when I drove them. I think if you get the 17s might help, but nothing too different from my experience. It might sit slightly higher. But it wasn't a deal breaker. I think the hard run flats ruins both the luxury and the sport lol, that regardless what you get its a crappy ride lol.
Regarding the sedan, the dynamic settings do not change the suspension at all. It is passive and not driver controllable. Not sure if this is different if you have air suspension - but changing the suspension on the sedan only changes the esp - which i believe is the traction control.
Regarding amg line vs luxury line for the sedan, I hardly felt no difference when I drove them. I think if you get the 17s might help, but nothing too different from my experience. It might sit slightly higher. But it wasn't a deal breaker. I think the hard run flats ruins both the luxury and the sport lol, that regardless what you get its a crappy ride lol.
I have the Luxury model and ditched the run flat tires after a couple years. I also have 17” rims and now non run flat tires and couldn’t be happier
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by jhpmbusa
............... I think the hard run flats ruins both the luxury and the sport lol, that regardless what you get its a crappy ride lol.
I agree on the run flat tires. With excellent tread left on the original RFT, I replaced them with Bridgestone QuietTrack conventional tires. Virtually silent and just SO smooth riding! My absolute favorite tires!
I’ve got the Michelin primacy run flats that are not too bad a ride. I’m generally in sport plus mode with my car. That combined with the tuner kinda gives the car more of a amgish type feel and all with the star on the hood being the luxury line. The car brings back memories of my 2012 merc amg wagon. Of course at the top end that car was much faster. But with all the low end torque of this car it feels a lot faster than it really is which is all that counts for most driving.
Last edited by 2012 merc amg; Aug 4, 2020 at 08:55 AM.
COL Morin: I have been getting E300 Sport loaner cars from the dealer and have not cared for them. The ride has been decent, but the overall cars have left me unimpressed. My wife drives the previous generation 2016 E350 Luxury, a car that feels SO much more solid and substantial over the current E300’s, but the ride is not as good. I’ve told you all of that, so I can tell you this:
We just picked up a 2019 E450 Luxury trim WAGON. It has the V6 we love in our SL’s, along with Air Body Control, 18” wheels and the Acoustic Comfort Pkg. This little wagon just BLOWS me away! The ride quality is simply wonderful, the interior is just SO quiet and the thing handles sensationally! And, for me, I just LOVE the looks of the wagon. The overall dimensions are almost identical to the sedan and you get all that utility should you need it.
If you see a wagon or sedan available equipped like ours, I highly recommend that you test drive it!
Ok
Beautiful car. I hope I can find a similar car to test drive and possibly purchase.
Why is the ride and interior noise level better in the wagon compared to the sedan? Usually an open cargo area transmits more road noise. I do love the looks and utility of the wagon.
Beautiful car. I hope I can find a similar car to test drive and possibly purchase.
Why is the ride and interior noise level better in the wagon compared to the sedan? Usually an open cargo area transmits more road noise. I do love the looks and utility of the wagon.
The acoustic comfort package reduces noise substantially. The floors have much thicker sound deadening panels. I doubt if dealer loaners are equipped with it.
2018 W213 Estate AMG-package, 2017 MX-5 tuned for the track
Originally Posted by 2012 merc amg
Beautiful car. I actually do like that piano black lined wood. You definitely have a very unique car. I really like my wagon but Its been a while since I've driven it. I think my car would ride even better if it had the 18 inch wheels, the 19's and above are little too much I think as far as ride quality goes.
I have 275/35/19, 245/40/19 on my car and no ride quality issues at all. Quite the opposite actually
05 SL55, 10 C63, 12 SLK3, 20 S560, 08Bentley GT Speed, 16 Aston Martin Vanquish
My wife and I traded our 2014 Bentley Flying Spur in on our 2019 e450 estate wagon. Ours is the sport version and we think it rides every bit as smooth as the Bentley did.
When looking at cars in stock last year, I found Acoustic Comfort along with air suspension to be very hard to find, virtually non-existent paired. That Designo interior wagon above is a real unicorn. My local dealer currently has a lux wagon in stock with the same designo interior, but no air ride or acoustic. I think these end of the line lux trim wagons are going to be keepers.
Even the standard lux ride is quite comfortable, probably a degree better if it wasn't on runflats.
My wife and I traded our 2014 Bentley Flying Spur in on our 2019 e450 estate wagon. Ours is the sport version and we think it rides every bit as smooth as the Bentley did.
This is an impressive endorsement. White is my first choice for exterior color. I wish a Saddle Tan was offered for the interior. Beautiful car.
I kinda screwed up When I got my car about a year and half ago, I really shoulda got it loaded with the multi contour seats and Napa leather vs the MB tex. My car does have a lot of options but stickered around 78K to get one fully loaded would been around 6 grand more woulda been worth it. It is a good looking car though and I really like my custom wheels, the Mandrus 23's. They are only around 300 a piece and stronger than the stock wheels which tend to bend with potholes.
Last edited by 2012 merc amg; Aug 7, 2020 at 09:49 PM.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
