Suspension & Rim Size & tire selection – My experience
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From: right to be forgotten
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And they don't do 21" run flats on the GLC43 so I wouldn't know that. I can most definitely state that teeth do not shatter.
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From: Denver, Colorado
BMW M235xi
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From: Denver, Colorado
BMW M235xi
Maybe the distinction is that when the wide user-adjustable ride height is added to the Airmatic system it is called Air Body Control? Otherwise they appear to be the exact same system mechanically.
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From: right to be forgotten
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I doubt it personally - it was exactly the same and same controls on my GL class. Even the option code was the same.
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Joined: Feb 2017
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From: NYC
GLC43
Are you sure? I thought Air Body Control is just a rename of Airmatic. On my GL x166 it was called Airmatic option code 489. On the current GLS (still an x166) it is called Air Body Control option code 489. On the GLC43 it is Air Body Control option code 489. Naturally I could be wrong as you never know with Mercedes but I thought it was just a name change.
And they don't do 21" run flats on the GLC43 so I wouldn't know that. I can most definitely state that teeth do not shatter.
And they don't do 21" run flats on the GLC43 so I wouldn't know that. I can most definitely state that teeth do not shatter.
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For the same vehicle? Or is it for different vehicles? But yes I do agree they have different names, but I think it is purely a historic configuration management issue rather than an actual difference.
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 36
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From: NYC
2017 GLC43
MO Marked tyres always have its limitations. But if you are happy to go for alternatively no MO markings then yes plenty of other brands as well. In 20" 285/40R20 for example shows up 4 different brands and 5 different models. 3 of which are MO marked as well. And that is just the first search.
If I go to the fronts at 255/45R20 then there is too much choice to quickly count
If I go to the fronts at 255/45R20 then there is too much choice to quickly count
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Senior Member
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From: Melbourne, Australia
GLE 350D GLC 250D, Previous vehicles W204, W164, W163, W210 & W202
Air body control appears to be a multi-chamber version of airmatic where the air volume and the air pressure can be varied.
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Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Melbourne, Australia
2016 GLC 250d AMG pack, 2017 GLC Coupe 250d AMG pack , 2002 BMW 330Ci convertible, 2021 BMX X1 sD20i
Question. What are your tyres - run flats or normal tyres ? On your GLC Wagon ?
I've noticed that the GLC Wagon 'normally?' Has run flats. But the GLC Coupe , which has the same 20" rims on front, has normal tyres.... no where on tyre sticker on body does it specify run flats.
MB tech at Mulgrave refused to answer if it was safe or approved in Oz to fit normal tyres to wagon, even though identical rims on Coupe had non run flat tyres. Concerned if I change the comp ins might be void ? Realise if normal tyres fitted I need a spare or goo and air pump as supplied in Coupe. So in Oz, Wagon only has runflats currently and Coupe only has normal tyres.
Any suggestions or comment. Anyone running wagon with normal tyres. Might give better ride. Thanks
I've noticed that the GLC Wagon 'normally?' Has run flats. But the GLC Coupe , which has the same 20" rims on front, has normal tyres.... no where on tyre sticker on body does it specify run flats.
MB tech at Mulgrave refused to answer if it was safe or approved in Oz to fit normal tyres to wagon, even though identical rims on Coupe had non run flat tyres. Concerned if I change the comp ins might be void ? Realise if normal tyres fitted I need a spare or goo and air pump as supplied in Coupe. So in Oz, Wagon only has runflats currently and Coupe only has normal tyres.
Any suggestions or comment. Anyone running wagon with normal tyres. Might give better ride. Thanks
Last edited by Teckno; Feb 17, 2017 at 05:38 PM. Reason: Typing error
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: right to be forgotten
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Question. What are your tyres - run flats or normal tyres ? On your GLC Wagon ?
I've noticed that the GLC Wagon 'normally?' Has run flats. But the GLC Coupe , which has the same 20" rims on front, has normal tyres.... no where on tyre sticker on body does it specify run flats.
MB tech at Mulgrave refused to answer if it was safe or approved in Oz to fit normal tyres to wagon, even though identical rims on Coupe had non run flat tyres. Concerned if I change the comp ins might be void ? Realise if normal tyres fitted I need a spare or goo and air pump as supplied in Coupe. So in Oz, Wagon only has runflats currently and Coupe only has normal tyres.
Any suggestions or comment. Anyone running wagon with normal tyres. Might give better ride. Thanks
I've noticed that the GLC Wagon 'normally?' Has run flats. But the GLC Coupe , which has the same 20" rims on front, has normal tyres.... no where on tyre sticker on body does it specify run flats.
MB tech at Mulgrave refused to answer if it was safe or approved in Oz to fit normal tyres to wagon, even though identical rims on Coupe had non run flat tyres. Concerned if I change the comp ins might be void ? Realise if normal tyres fitted I need a spare or goo and air pump as supplied in Coupe. So in Oz, Wagon only has runflats currently and Coupe only has normal tyres.
Any suggestions or comment. Anyone running wagon with normal tyres. Might give better ride. Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 266
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From: Australia
GLC 250D
As one of those who has complained about the ride quality of my GLC, I'd like to thank the OP Daniel for the post. It's the sort of comparison from personal experience that is valuable, even if subjective.
I really have only one complaint about my 20" Pirelli RFT combined with springs, and that is crashing into potholes. I have test driven (briefly) an AMG43 with 21" non-RFT and I can confirm that it doesn't seem to crash into potholes. That is, you hear the car hit the hole, but you don't really feel it.
That's what I want. What's the cheapest way of getting it? Would 20" non-RFT be sufficient? Would 19" non-RFT be better, at the cost of five new rims & tyres? (I always carry a spare when out of town, even with RFT.) Or do I really need to changeover to a GLC with the air option, however named? That's still the outstanding question for me.
I really have only one complaint about my 20" Pirelli RFT combined with springs, and that is crashing into potholes. I have test driven (briefly) an AMG43 with 21" non-RFT and I can confirm that it doesn't seem to crash into potholes. That is, you hear the car hit the hole, but you don't really feel it.
That's what I want. What's the cheapest way of getting it? Would 20" non-RFT be sufficient? Would 19" non-RFT be better, at the cost of five new rims & tyres? (I always carry a spare when out of town, even with RFT.) Or do I really need to changeover to a GLC with the air option, however named? That's still the outstanding question for me.
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Joined: Jan 2014
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From: right to be forgotten
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As one of those who has complained about the ride quality of my GLC, I'd like to thank the OP Daniel for the post. It's the sort of comparison from personal experience that is valuable, even if subjective.
I really have only one complaint about my 20" Pirelli RFT combined with springs, and that is crashing into potholes. I have test driven (briefly) an AMG43 with 21" non-RFT and I can confirm that it doesn't seem to crash into potholes. That is, you hear the car hit the hole, but you don't really feel it.
That's what I want. What's the cheapest way of getting it? Would 20" non-RFT be sufficient? Would 19" non-RFT be better, at the cost of five new rims & tyres? (I always carry a spare when out of town, even with RFT.) Or do I really need to changeover to a GLC with the air option, however named? That's still the outstanding question for me.
I really have only one complaint about my 20" Pirelli RFT combined with springs, and that is crashing into potholes. I have test driven (briefly) an AMG43 with 21" non-RFT and I can confirm that it doesn't seem to crash into potholes. That is, you hear the car hit the hole, but you don't really feel it.
That's what I want. What's the cheapest way of getting it? Would 20" non-RFT be sufficient? Would 19" non-RFT be better, at the cost of five new rims & tyres? (I always carry a spare when out of town, even with RFT.) Or do I really need to changeover to a GLC with the air option, however named? That's still the outstanding question for me.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 266
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From: Australia
GLC 250D
What I've having difficult in getting a precise picture of is the how far you can get just with tyres and wheel size, and how much more of a difference would air make. Upgrading cars is a fairly drastic option for me, and the other part-owner would take some convincing.
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From: right to be forgotten
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What I meant was the same 19" with air body control.
However in my opinion the 21" with air body control is super comfortable. I had a chap come over last Thursday who wanted to experience the crabbing/juddering issue. He couldn't believe how comfortable 21" on air body control is compared to his q5 on 19" springs.
But it all depends on perspective, if you are after that old fashioned American floaty suspension, none of them do that in any configuration. It is definitely a European, German, car.
However in my opinion the 21" with air body control is super comfortable. I had a chap come over last Thursday who wanted to experience the crabbing/juddering issue. He couldn't believe how comfortable 21" on air body control is compared to his q5 on 19" springs.
But it all depends on perspective, if you are after that old fashioned American floaty suspension, none of them do that in any configuration. It is definitely a European, German, car.
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From: Australia
GLC 250D
Coming home took a little adjustment as our roads are not that smooth, and as you say, the up-market European marques do aim for the firm and sporty style of ride. Even with air, it ain't no hovercraft.
But crashing into potholes is not good enough for what is in all other respects a luxury car.
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From: right to be forgotten
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I was in the US last year driving a Chevy Malibu rental on the roads of Arizona and I discovered the meaning of this. The combination of the suspension and the wide, smooth roads was something of a relevation. (Perhaps less so on some of the backroads labelled native routes through the Navajo nation.)
Coming home took a little adjustment as our roads are not that smooth, and as you say, the up-market European marques do aim for the firm and sporty style of ride. Even with air, it ain't no hovercraft.
But crashing into potholes is not good enough for what is in all other respects a luxury car.
Coming home took a little adjustment as our roads are not that smooth, and as you say, the up-market European marques do aim for the firm and sporty style of ride. Even with air, it ain't no hovercraft.
But crashing into potholes is not good enough for what is in all other respects a luxury car.
To be fair - the interest is not a good place if this is really important to you. The only way to know is test drive the varying configuration on roads that you know. We all have different reference frameworks as to what is good.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 96
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From: Spain
MB GLC43 AMG
Just took delivery yesterday of my new GLC43. 19" with non-runflat.
The first thing I noticed as I drove away from the dealer wast how different the suspensión is from my GLC 250D with airbody control + 19" non-runflat. Very noticeable. Much stiffer. Only have driven it in ECO with COMFORT suspensión mode so fart (15km). I am glad I sticked to the 19" non-runflat.
AS I said in my previous posts about this I enjoy performance driving (I do not race on the roads) but appreciate a comfortable ride in long highway trips.
The first thing I noticed as I drove away from the dealer wast how different the suspensión is from my GLC 250D with airbody control + 19" non-runflat. Very noticeable. Much stiffer. Only have driven it in ECO with COMFORT suspensión mode so fart (15km). I am glad I sticked to the 19" non-runflat.
AS I said in my previous posts about this I enjoy performance driving (I do not race on the roads) but appreciate a comfortable ride in long highway trips.
Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 171
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From: Billings, MT
Mercedes GLC43, GLC63
Totally NOT TRUE
I have exactly that combination - 21" run flats on a GLC43 - even on potholed California roads the ride is smooth
i wouldn't switch out my wheels for anything - they're the most striking and visually appealing feature.
I have exactly that combination - 21" run flats on a GLC43 - even on potholed California roads the ride is smooth
i wouldn't switch out my wheels for anything - they're the most striking and visually appealing feature.
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Joined: Feb 2016
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From: Portland, OR
C450, GLC43
We've been lucky to only have one tire eaten by a pothole this year but they are still hungry
Speed hardly even matters when the holes run all the way down through the road bed.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2017
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From: NYC
2017 GLC43
The mistake people make is asking someone else's opinion on a car's ride when they have no idea where they're coming from or their personal preferences. The one and only way to get a reliable answer is to go to the dealership and drive it yourself.
