Harsh ride after fixing flat
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 599
Likes: 237
From: Suburban Maryland
2023 E 450 Sedan. 2018 GLC 300. 2013 E 350 Coupe (retired)
Harsh ride after fixing flat
Had my first blow out on the highway, hitting a pothole. Anyway, benz roadservice came out fairly quick and put on my spare (donut). I asked the tech if he had to do anything with the airmatic first. He said no. The ride was harsh on the way to the dealer. Now with new tire on, (I thought I would never use the tire/wheel protection package, but this is just the first time on this new to me 2023 E 450 Sedan CPO), the ride continues to be harsh, feel every bump, not the buttery smooth ride I had before all this. I will contact dealer tomorrow, but wonder what is going on and what I should tell the service advisor if he gives me any bs response. Is the airmatic having issues? Already cycled it to raise and lower the vehicle. Thanks in advance for any thoughts/suggestions.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,222
Likes: 6,281
Had my first blow out on the highway, hitting a pothole. Anyway, benz roadservice came out fairly quick and put on my spare (donut). I asked the tech if he had to do anything with the airmatic first. He said no. The ride was harsh on the way to the dealer. Now with new tire on, (I thought I would never use the tire/wheel protection package, but this is just the first time on this new to me 2023 E 450 Sedan CPO), the ride continues to be harsh, feel every bump, not the buttery smooth ride I had before all this. I will contact dealer tomorrow, but wonder what is going on and what I should tell the service advisor if he gives me any bs response. Is the airmatic having issues? Already cycled it to raise and lower the vehicle. Thanks in advance for any thoughts/suggestions.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 599
Likes: 237
From: Suburban Maryland
2023 E 450 Sedan. 2018 GLC 300. 2013 E 350 Coupe (retired)
Thanks all for your replies!
I bought a spare (donut) after I ditched the run flats and got real tires, which improved the ride.
The car has not seen an actual mercedes mechanic yet. On Friday, after they replaced the tire, I brought it back again, complaining about harsh ride. The dealer said they drove it and that the involved wheel was bent. They fixed that. I drove it and found the same taut, harsh ride. Then the service advisor went for a ride with me and said, 'they are all like this', but he did not have an airmatic E 450 on the lot to compare it to. I'm sure he thinks I'm nuts, but he said bring it back and he will have the 'shop foreman' take a look. I assume that is an actual certified mercedes mechanic? I spoke to an independent mercedes mechanic today, he said same thing, something must be damaged, not a problem with the airmatic. But the car is great on a smooth road, and it doesn't matter what wheel goes over a bump, it is harsh, taut, on that wheel, not like buttery ride before the flat. I now have a sports car, not the luxury car I bought. Couldn't an airmatic reset help? Or can it be reprogrammed, adjusted?
I bought a spare (donut) after I ditched the run flats and got real tires, which improved the ride.
The car has not seen an actual mercedes mechanic yet. On Friday, after they replaced the tire, I brought it back again, complaining about harsh ride. The dealer said they drove it and that the involved wheel was bent. They fixed that. I drove it and found the same taut, harsh ride. Then the service advisor went for a ride with me and said, 'they are all like this', but he did not have an airmatic E 450 on the lot to compare it to. I'm sure he thinks I'm nuts, but he said bring it back and he will have the 'shop foreman' take a look. I assume that is an actual certified mercedes mechanic? I spoke to an independent mercedes mechanic today, he said same thing, something must be damaged, not a problem with the airmatic. But the car is great on a smooth road, and it doesn't matter what wheel goes over a bump, it is harsh, taut, on that wheel, not like buttery ride before the flat. I now have a sports car, not the luxury car I bought. Couldn't an airmatic reset help? Or can it be reprogrammed, adjusted?
Last edited by smiles201; Feb 8, 2025 at 01:18 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 900
From: DFW
SL63
Bent wheel, yikes.
Not entirely off topic, but I got a fault code message display on my primary display for low tire air pressure, just as the season changed from summer to a little less summer.
Around here, we do have 4 seasons. Almost Summer, Summer, A little less summer, then Christmas.
Anyway, I wasn’t disappointed with the ride at that tire pressure which was around 32psi. Compared to my SLK, the ride has always been softer that the SLK, although I like 50psi in the SLK tires.
I recently inflated the (run flat) tires to top of spec which is about 45psi.
I honestly can’t tell any ride difference in terms of stiffness. I haven’t tried to push it hard laterally yet, so I don’t know if the higher tire pressure has affected that performance envelope yet.
Not entirely off topic, but I got a fault code message display on my primary display for low tire air pressure, just as the season changed from summer to a little less summer.
Around here, we do have 4 seasons. Almost Summer, Summer, A little less summer, then Christmas.
Anyway, I wasn’t disappointed with the ride at that tire pressure which was around 32psi. Compared to my SLK, the ride has always been softer that the SLK, although I like 50psi in the SLK tires.
I recently inflated the (run flat) tires to top of spec which is about 45psi.
I honestly can’t tell any ride difference in terms of stiffness. I haven’t tried to push it hard laterally yet, so I don’t know if the higher tire pressure has affected that performance envelope yet.
Trending Topics
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,222
Likes: 6,281
Bent wheel, yikes.
Not entirely off topic, but I got a fault code message display on my primary display for low tire air pressure, just as the season changed from summer to a little less summer.
Around here, we do have 4 seasons. Almost Summer, Summer, A little less summer, then Christmas.
Anyway, I wasn’t disappointed with the ride at that tire pressure which was around 32psi. Compared to my SLK, the ride has always been softer that the SLK, although I like 50psi in the SLK tires.
I recently inflated the (run flat) tires to top of spec which is about 45psi.
I honestly can’t tell any ride difference in terms of stiffness. I haven’t tried to push it hard laterally yet, so I don’t know if the higher tire pressure has affected that performance envelope yet.
Not entirely off topic, but I got a fault code message display on my primary display for low tire air pressure, just as the season changed from summer to a little less summer.
Around here, we do have 4 seasons. Almost Summer, Summer, A little less summer, then Christmas.
Anyway, I wasn’t disappointed with the ride at that tire pressure which was around 32psi. Compared to my SLK, the ride has always been softer that the SLK, although I like 50psi in the SLK tires.
I recently inflated the (run flat) tires to top of spec which is about 45psi.
I honestly can’t tell any ride difference in terms of stiffness. I haven’t tried to push it hard laterally yet, so I don’t know if the higher tire pressure has affected that performance envelope yet.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
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
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 900
From: DFW
SL63
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 599
Likes: 237
From: Suburban Maryland
2023 E 450 Sedan. 2018 GLC 300. 2013 E 350 Coupe (retired)
Update on harsh ride: Well, the dealer and shop foreman really went to bat for me. Shop foreman 'updated the software', spent time making sure 'all the computers are talking to each other', and drove it through all settings. Upshot was I now have the comfort setting back on dynamic select, there is now a difference between comfort and sport as far as suspension tautness. He also said that sometimes when someone has a car in for a few days for collision work, for instance, they say the ride is different when they get it back, insinuation is that I was imagining it was better than it was. He's probably right. But the ride is better now. I wish it was more isolated from the road at times. I drove an Audi A 6 yesterday, and liked how luxurious that felt. Will stick with what I got for now, and have another dealer or independent check the airmatic calibration, although my dealer said all good. They could have charged me, they spent a few hours on it, but no charge. This dealer, Euromotors in Bethesda, treats you well!
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,222
Likes: 6,281
Update on harsh ride: Well, the dealer and shop foreman really went to bat for me. Shop foreman 'updated the software', spent time making sure 'all the computers are talking to each other', and drove it through all settings. Upshot was I now have the comfort setting back on dynamic select, there is now a difference between comfort and sport as far as suspension tautness. He also said that sometimes when someone has a car in for a few days for collision work, for instance, they say the ride is different when they get it back, insinuation is that I was imagining it was better than it was. He's probably right. But the ride is better now. I wish it was more isolated from the road at times. I drove an Audi A 6 yesterday, and liked how luxurious that felt. Will stick with what I got for now, and have another dealer or independent check the airmatic calibration, although my dealer said all good. They could have charged me, they spent a few hours on it, but no charge. This dealer, Euromotors in Bethesda, treats you well!
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
