W213 suspension question
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2003 s600, 2005 e320, 1982 240d
W213 suspension question
Hi yall I recently test drove a 2017 e300 non airmatic to replace my 2013 528xi that’s been in the shop since the dawn of time. I loved the car but was let down in one pretty important area and that would be the suspension, it felt way to harsh for a e class. My daily’s other than the bmw are a clk430 and a s600 and both those along with the other 30 Mercedes all have the rides I expect from them. This e class though while the ride felt extremely solid the ride left a lot to be desired didn’t feel smooth over bumps like my 210s and w211s and I would thinking with the trickle down technology it should have felt like the older s classes but it felt like my old w204 which was way to firm. Is this just how new cars are? Should I get a w222 instead or would airmatic fix all this? Just something to wonder as I’ve been looking at w213 coupes especially for 400s for a few weeks now. What do yall think was this something all 213s are like. I guess the last question is did the coupes offer air ride at all?
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Hi yall I recently test drove a 2017 e300 non airmatic to replace my 2013 528xi that’s been in the shop since the dawn of time. I loved the car but was let down in one pretty important area and that would be the suspension, it felt way to harsh for a e class. My daily’s other than the bmw are a clk430 and a s600 and both those along with the other 30 Mercedes all have the rides I expect from them. This e class though while the ride felt extremely solid the ride left a lot to be desired didn’t feel smooth over bumps like my 210s and w211s and I would thinking with the trickle down technology it should have felt like the older s classes but it felt like my old w204 which was way to firm. Is this just how new cars are? Should I get a w222 instead or would airmatic fix all this? Just something to wonder as I’ve been looking at w213 coupes especially for 400s for a few weeks now. What do yall think was this something all 213s are like. I guess the last question is did the coupes offer air ride at all?
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From: Tennessee
W214 E450
Have you considered that the particular car you tested has something wrong with it? My 2012 E350 felt smooth and my 2025 E450 is much better. I would think a 2017 would fall somewhere in between. I addition, there are other factors that affect how the ride feels such as tire type, size, and pressure.
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2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Hi yall I recently test drove a 2017 e300 non airmatic to replace my 2013 528xi that’s been in the shop since the dawn of time. I loved the car but was let down in one pretty important area and that would be the suspension, it felt way to harsh for a e class. My daily’s other than the bmw are a clk430 and a s600 and both those along with the other 30 Mercedes all have the rides I expect from them. This e class though while the ride felt extremely solid the ride left a lot to be desired didn’t feel smooth over bumps like my 210s and w211s and I would thinking with the trickle down technology it should have felt like the older s classes but it felt like my old w204 which was way to firm. Is this just how new cars are? Should I get a w222 instead or would airmatic fix all this? Just something to wonder as I’ve been looking at w213 coupes especially for 400s for a few weeks now. What do yall think was this something all 213s are like. I guess the last question is did the coupes offer air ride at all?
Most of the complaints, not all, but let's say over 90% of the complaints about ride quality, the complainer's car did not have the standard 18" wheels but a larger wheel.
Air matic helps out a lot, but the air matics are known to fail after 5 years/50,000 miles and are expensive to repair and/or replace.
Hope this helps
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From: Suburban Maryland
2023 E 450 Sedan. 2018 GLC 300. 2013 E 350 Coupe (retired)
My 2023 E 450 with airmatic rides smooth on good pavement. 19 inch wheels. No RFTs. Have to avoid potholes, keep saying I will get winter wheels, 18 inch, but the 19s look so good. I like to keep the psi a pound or two low in warm weather. 3 to 4 pounds low in winter. Helps a little. Non rft helps alot.
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From: Northern NJ, USA
2018 E300 4Matic Sport
I think all the comments made are good ones -- but, also -- I have a 2018 E300 4Matic Sport. While I have the setting on "C" (for comfort), and I do have run-flats, and maintain proper tire pressure, I never really viewed the ride as "smooth". Not at any times. I mean, not to sound stupid, but it is a Mercedes. While I hate generalizations, isn't it supposed to be "tight" and a bit of a "tough" or "rough" ride? Yes, I know run-flats make it "worse" and it depends on tires, size, pressure, suspension setting, and everything else -- but even with all things perfect, would it ever be considered a "smooth" ride? Just curious. Thanks.
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From: Long Island, NY
2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
I think all the comments made are good ones -- but, also -- I have a 2018 E300 4Matic Sport. While I have the setting on "C" (for comfort), and I do have run-flats, and maintain proper tire pressure, I never really viewed the ride as "smooth". Not at any times. I mean, not to sound stupid, but it is a Mercedes. While I hate generalizations, isn't it supposed to be "tight" and a bit of a "tough" or "rough" ride? Yes, I know run-flats make it "worse" and it depends on tires, size, pressure, suspension setting, and everything else -- but even with all things perfect, would it ever be considered a "smooth" ride? Just curious. Thanks.
What size wheel do you have?
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From: Northern NJ, USA
2018 E300 4Matic Sport
I have stock -- non-AMG wheels/tires (I had them swapped out, LOL) -- 18" run-flats. I haven't owned a BMW in over 30 years, so I can't speak to the comparison. I just never really felt the ride was "smooth" to speak. However, I guess compared to the equivalent BMW, I can see it.
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Member
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From: Australia
W213 e300 MY19 (Aus market)
To op, I have also been let down by the new Mercedes suspensions. I have driven C classes (W205 and W206) with 19” wheels, run flat MOE tyres on the standard suspension. I’ve also driven the A class with 18” run flats on the standard suspension. They all felt underwhelming, or loud and crashy on rough roads.
My E300 has airmatic and came factory fitted with 20” AMG wheels with Pirelli RFT rubber bands. Looked great; Was even worse than the C or A classes. Drove like ***** on potholed roads, cobbled roads, speed humps, road expansion joints and cracks as well. I Always felt the bangs when going over speed humps.
The remedy to this problem was to immediately downgrade to 18” non AMG base version alloys and put on Michelin non run flats on them. Now it feels like the smooth buttery W124s of old.
I rode as a passenger in Europe a few times on W213 taxis with the standard spring suspensions, and they also felt smooth like my own car does now - and all of them had 17” wheels and fat tyres. As others have said, the answer has been in letting the tyres have larger sidewalls, and to take over more of the suspension travel and spring rate.
My E300 has airmatic and came factory fitted with 20” AMG wheels with Pirelli RFT rubber bands. Looked great; Was even worse than the C or A classes. Drove like ***** on potholed roads, cobbled roads, speed humps, road expansion joints and cracks as well. I Always felt the bangs when going over speed humps.
The remedy to this problem was to immediately downgrade to 18” non AMG base version alloys and put on Michelin non run flats on them. Now it feels like the smooth buttery W124s of old.
I rode as a passenger in Europe a few times on W213 taxis with the standard spring suspensions, and they also felt smooth like my own car does now - and all of them had 17” wheels and fat tyres. As others have said, the answer has been in letting the tyres have larger sidewalls, and to take over more of the suspension travel and spring rate.
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To op, I have also been let down by the new Mercedes suspensions. I have driven C classes (W205 and W206) with 19” wheels, run flat MOE tyres on the standard suspension. I’ve also driven the A class with 18” run flats on the standard suspension. They all felt underwhelming, or loud and crashy on rough roads.
My E300 has airmatic and came factory fitted with 20” AMG wheels with Pirelli RFT rubber bands. Looked great; Was even worse than the C or A classes. Drove like ***** on potholed roads, cobbled roads, speed humps, road expansion joints and cracks as well. I Always felt the bangs when going over speed humps.
The remedy to this problem was to immediately downgrade to 18” non AMG base version alloys and put on Michelin non run flats on them. Now it feels like the smooth buttery W124s of old.
I rode as a passenger in Europe a few times on W213 taxis with the standard spring suspensions, and they also felt smooth like my own car does now - and all of them had 17” wheels and fat tyres. As others have said, the answer has been in letting the tyres have larger sidewalls, and to take over more of the suspension travel and spring rate.
My E300 has airmatic and came factory fitted with 20” AMG wheels with Pirelli RFT rubber bands. Looked great; Was even worse than the C or A classes. Drove like ***** on potholed roads, cobbled roads, speed humps, road expansion joints and cracks as well. I Always felt the bangs when going over speed humps.
The remedy to this problem was to immediately downgrade to 18” non AMG base version alloys and put on Michelin non run flats on them. Now it feels like the smooth buttery W124s of old.
I rode as a passenger in Europe a few times on W213 taxis with the standard spring suspensions, and they also felt smooth like my own car does now - and all of them had 17” wheels and fat tyres. As others have said, the answer has been in letting the tyres have larger sidewalls, and to take over more of the suspension travel and spring rate.
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From: Texas
2017 E43 AMG, 2009 E63 AMG (fuel injector hydrolock, scrapped 2024), 1999 C230 Kompressor (sold)
My 2017 E43 ride quality on 20-inch rims and Pirelli RFTs is also not great. It's only compounded by AMG-tuned Airmatic. Does anybody know how much of an improvement only switching out the RFTs is, while keeping the 20-inch rims? HRE FF15s have really caught my eye. Both for design and price, and it would make me less worried about bending the swiss cheese MB rims. I just don't know how to sell them before getting HRE wheels. And dealing with different tire sizes and air pressures would also be a bit annoying I think.
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My 2017 E43 ride quality on 20-inch rims and Pirelli RFTs is also not great. It's only compounded by AMG-tuned Airmatic. Does anybody know how much of an improvement only switching out the RFTs is, while keeping the 20-inch rims? HRE FF15s have really caught my eye. Both for design and price, and it would make me less worried about bending the swiss cheese MB rims. I just don't know how to sell them before getting HRE wheels. And dealing with different tire sizes and air pressures would also be a bit annoying I think.
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I have a 2108 with factory 18" wheels, non run-flat tires, and non-airmatic suspension. The ride is very sensitive to road variations. The Continental non run-flats significantly improved the ride. Now I can't tell if it's heads or tails when I run over a nickel. 
The ride on my 22 year old W211 is better.
The ride on my 22 year old W211 is better.Last edited by ua549; Apr 29, 2025 at 05:15 PM.
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2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Member
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From: Australia
W213 e300 MY19 (Aus market)
Just did a 550 mile trip on Sunday. The airmatic has its benefits though. In sport mode on curvy mountain roads and on freeways at 90mph, the lowered stiffer airbags, and the tighter roll stabilisation really stands out. Again this is paired with the 18” wheels and Michelin standard tires. My complaint against it was always at slow speeds with badly specced 20” wheels and tires.
Towards the end of the trip, I was very fatigued. In comfort mode on the long straights it definitely made it more bearable than being in any other car for sure.
Towards the end of the trip, I was very fatigued. In comfort mode on the long straights it definitely made it more bearable than being in any other car for sure.
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From: Australia
W213 e300 MY19 (Aus market)
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2019 E300
Hi yall I recently test drove a 2017 e300 non airmatic to replace my 2013 528xi that’s been in the shop since the dawn of time. I loved the car but was let down in one pretty important area and that would be the suspension, it felt way to harsh for a e class. My daily’s other than the bmw are a clk430 and a s600 and both those along with the other 30 Mercedes all have the rides I expect from them. This e class though while the ride felt extremely solid the ride left a lot to be desired didn’t feel smooth over bumps like my 210s and w211s and I would thinking with the trickle down technology it should have felt like the older s classes but it felt like my old w204 which was way to firm. Is this just how new cars are? Should I get a w222 instead or would airmatic fix all this? Just something to wonder as I’ve been looking at w213 coupes especially for 400s for a few weeks now. What do yall think was this something all 213s are like. I guess the last question is did the coupes offer air ride at all?
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I had a 2013 535xi and now a 2019 E350 4matic. In my opinion, the suspension was softer in my 5 series, the 528i had 18” runflats, the E350 has 19” runflats. Handling is about the same but the E350 bottoms out more often. These new E Class are not your grandpa’s old Benz, they are design for a balance of handling and comfort. BMW’s suspension is still the best in my opinion but overall, the E350 is a better car in my opinion.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...-too-much.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...oming-out.html
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