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I know this is an odd question but I'm asking because I have concerns.
Do any of you have family members who get car sick? Because of the GL's soft ride do they tend to get sick often? Does Active Curve minimize car sickness?
Note that Active Curve in the latest S Class coupe is a newer and far more sophisticated version than the one currently used in the GL. The GL version will reduce, but not eliminate, body roll during cornering and does not "lean" into curves.
I don't have Active Curve and am very impressed with the ride quality of the GL.
YMMV
Last edited by cadetdrivr; Apr 19, 2015 at 11:51 AM.
The GL rolls and wobbles a bit more than your average SUV, IMO. My daughter gets a little car sick on ski trips (wining mountain roads), more so on the GL than any other SUVs we've owned. It's a price to pay for a soft ride, I guess.
Note that Active Curve in the latest S Class coupe is a newer and far more sophisticated version than the one currently used in the GL. The GL version will reduce, but not eliminate, body roll during cornering and does not "lean" into curves.
I don't have Active Curve and am very impressed with the ride quality of the GL.
YMMV
Funny you mention that because I was about to ask. I notice the naming difference, Active Curve Tilting vs. Active Curve System.
Current 2014 GL450, BMW 550Xi, Previous 2013 Audi A7, 2011 BMW Z4, 2007 R350
I have a loaner GL 450 that does not have active curve, i notice that it does wobble up and down on accelerating and braking, comparably my GL with acs is much more car like to drive, does not bob up and down and i can push it better on curves. The sport mode of ADS does make it less floaty.
I specifically have a customer - whose wife has a vertigo issue - and after buying their GL550 with Activie Curve (and they also added On/Off Road) - about 60 days later they went on a 2500 road trip.
YES - Active Curve in the GL is very effective in helping with vertigo issues.
I don't know if there is a difference between the 450's and the 550's Airmatic suspension, but our 550 has a nice firm ride that doesn't contribute to carsickness. My wife and son sleep easily on long road trips.
buy the 550.. it is a completely different riding car...by the time you option out a 450 to ride like a 550 it gets expensive.
a plain 450 is softly sprung (though it uses airbags) and could be described as ... well you know where I am going with this.
that being said.. both of my kids have thrown up in my GL63 (but not from side to side feelings.. more like acceleration! hahaha) I suggest you only let them watch movies on the ipads.. not play games.
buy the 550.. it is a completely different riding car...by the time you option out a 450 to ride like a 550 it gets expensive.
a plain 450 is softly sprung (though it uses airbags) and could be described as ... well you know where I am going with this.
that being said.. both of my kids have thrown up in my GL63 (but not from side to side feelings.. more like acceleration! hahaha) I suggest you only let them watch movies on the ipads.. not play games.
The 550 with most options would be an additional 10k or more. That is a significant cost difference. A 450 with Active Curve is not a bad way to go.
buy the 550.. it is a completely different riding car...by the time you option out a 450 to ride like a 550 it gets expensive.
a plain 450 is softly sprung (though it uses airbags) and could be described as ... well you know where I am going with this...
I have owned a 14 450 with ADS and now own a 15 550 that comes standard with ADS. I agree with cyclrdr, the two ride totally different. I am shocked by the difference. Part of it may be the wider tires and wider wheel offset on the 550. A wider stance should equal less body roll I guess. The car still floats a little in comfort mode but with way less body roll. Honestly, with the way I drive, Active Curve wouldn't benefit me much in the 550. I always sort of wished I had active curve in the 450.
I have a 2013 GL63 and just swapped the 295/40/21 tyres from Continental UHP to Pirelli P Zero (both MO) because the rears were worn out and I had a good option on a pair of Pirelli then I wanted matching so swapped all 4 to Pirelli.
Now the ride is making my wife complain of feeling sick even in Sport mode, could the suspension jacking for the tyre swap have upset the ride control somehow? I notice it feels a bit unsettled in bends too, not shaking steering wheel as if tyres badly balanced, more like they’re a cheap brand that cant take the power, weight etc., having to correct the steering a lot in twisty roads, much less confidence in the ride.
If I put it in Sport plus it helps a lot, anyone any thoughts as to why the rides deteriorated and is making passengers feel sick due to body roll after the tyre change?
I would check your rear shocks... One of mine failed at 55K. Dealer wanted $3K to fix.. ($800 per shock parts x2) I found the shocks online for $550 and spent about 4 hours installing myself. It completely reset my car to "new" status! I had noticed that the car was a little bit more woozy in the turns but never suspected that it was a failed shock. I only caught it when I was changing my winter to summer tires. (it was covered in oil)
a 550 or 63 should not make anyone sick.. these cars are rock solid.
I bought her a year ago with 2 year approved AMG warranty to will take her in if needed. I wasnt sure if it was tyre related as I dont thint I recall a feeling like this before swapping tyres last week but I changed 2 rears then a few days later changed fronts.
Pressures are 37 all round, Im wondering if it needs a bit more in the back ones?
Ive sent a question to Pirelli but dont hold much hope there.
Sport plus makes a difference, Sport feels unstable in high speed corners now, Im holding onto the wheel to steer her through rather than the vehicle powering through nice and controlled.
I run mine at 39 all around... anything more in the back will cause premature wear on the rear tires from my experience.
Genuinemercedesparts.com
$570 each.
Shipment Details
Part NumberPart NamePrice Quantity Total 166-320-26-30 Shock Absorber $574.00 2 $1,148.00
Subtotal: $1,148.00 Shipping (FedEx Ground U.S. Shipping - FedEx Ground Home Delivery): $31.12 Total: $1,179.12
Do i need to raise the the vehicle with a jack the extend the shock to see of its leaking or can I see it just from looking in the arch when the vehicles on my driveway?
If 39 is the optimum pressure is 2 PSI (Im at 37) likely to affect the handling that much?
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