My GL has jittery highway ride-
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 107
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From: Orange County
06 CLS500, 05 Range Rover, 00 Landcruiser
My GL has jittery highway ride-
Got my GL last week. The first thing I notice after driving it 300 miles is that it rides jittery on freeways. The vibrations were transmitted pretty bad inside the cabin. My wife and 3 of my passengers noticed it too. It feels like the AIRMATIC is at its firmest yet it doesn't have that firm/comfort option. The wheels keep on bouncing on those expansion joints. Theres a big difference in ride compared to my Range Rover as the range rides in fluidlike reflex.
I test drove the demo many times but only on streets and about 6 miles of average freeway condition. I never thought it will behave like this on general freeway surfaces. It rides good during moderate speed but deteriorates at high freeway speeds. I tried to raised it thinking that more air in the bladder will lessened the vibrations, it becomes worst. I usually do that to my range rover and lock it in normal height for bad pavement.
Could this be the trade off with AIRMATIC without ADS? I read the manual and it states there that the basic airmatic (meaning no off road package with ads) is simply for leveling purposes and height adjustment. Seems like it has no capability to soak mean pavement during high speed as the rebound from the wheels make it jouncy. So weird as I expect Airmatic to ride good. My CLS with very low profile tires seems to ride smoother.
Any Airmatic specialist here? Thanks.
I test drove the demo many times but only on streets and about 6 miles of average freeway condition. I never thought it will behave like this on general freeway surfaces. It rides good during moderate speed but deteriorates at high freeway speeds. I tried to raised it thinking that more air in the bladder will lessened the vibrations, it becomes worst. I usually do that to my range rover and lock it in normal height for bad pavement.
Could this be the trade off with AIRMATIC without ADS? I read the manual and it states there that the basic airmatic (meaning no off road package with ads) is simply for leveling purposes and height adjustment. Seems like it has no capability to soak mean pavement during high speed as the rebound from the wheels make it jouncy. So weird as I expect Airmatic to ride good. My CLS with very low profile tires seems to ride smoother.
Any Airmatic specialist here? Thanks.
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
I had it checked out, no Benz should ride like that truck or not. Check to see if the dealer over inflated the tires upon delivery also. Not sure what else that could be. I'd drive a demo over the same stretch of road that you experienced the bad ride in your GL.
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M
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Which wheels do you have? If the 19s or 20s, that could make a difference.
I test drove the GL and R back-to-back. With any high-riding SUV the suspension must be firmer to achieve the same amount of roll control as a lower vehicle. The GL definitely has a more truck-like ride than the R, but I still wouldn't call it jittery. Others might, though. Land Rovers have relatively squishy suspensions that permit more roll in turns. I recently test drove a RR Sport and was very disappointed with its handling.
I test drove the GL and R back-to-back. With any high-riding SUV the suspension must be firmer to achieve the same amount of roll control as a lower vehicle. The GL definitely has a more truck-like ride than the R, but I still wouldn't call it jittery. Others might, though. Land Rovers have relatively squishy suspensions that permit more roll in turns. I recently test drove a RR Sport and was very disappointed with its handling.
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Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 107
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From: Orange County
06 CLS500, 05 Range Rover, 00 Landcruiser
I have 19 in wheels with pressure of 32 fronts and 35 rears. I will continue monitoring this ride issue. Seems like this only occurs when the GL gets lowered by additional 0.6 in during high speed. Maybe this airmatic bladder needs some break in period.
Anybody test drove the GL with off road package? I assumed this should ride smoother due to ADS feature. Or could it be worst since its modified suspension and off road tires were design for serious off roading.
Anybody test drove the GL with off road package? I assumed this should ride smoother due to ADS feature. Or could it be worst since its modified suspension and off road tires were design for serious off roading.
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Joined: May 2006
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From: New York City
GL450
Sounds strange. I got my GL450 last week, and it drives like at dream, at 90mph, nearly as comfortable as my previous E500. No issues whatsoever. Mine is with the Premium 1 package, no driving related extras
