So, I bought my GLC last week and now have about 800 miles on it and it is almost broke in, so no real evaluation of the hp or motor. I drove it from SoCal to NorCal on all secondary roads today, leaving Irvine at 0330 a:m to avoid L.A. traffic. My first impressions of the GLC is that it is effortless to drive fast and far. I used the S setting and put the shocks on firm setting (two red shocks lit up) and proceeded to rip through hundreds of tight twisty corners today. Anyone who has driven on secondary roads in Cali, knows what I am talking about....not many places have roads like this. High speed and no cops all day out in the boonies....great day! I was amazed how Benz was able to produce an SUV that handles essentially like a really good moderate level sports car. It reminded me of flying the F-16, where the engineering, design and function all worked incredibly well integrating the pilot and the jet as one. Same as this car....so well built, engineered and executed, bravo Mercedes! I have been primarily driving Holdens and love those cars. The handling of the mag ride suspension in my Chevy SS (aka Holden SSv) is better than the GLC...but not by much at all. I would say with another 100 hp the GLC would hang with my LS3 equipped SS. The brakes on the GLC are very, very good...never faded all day. I drove for 12 hours and never got tired and honestly it was a joy to drive such a fine machine. Anyone who claims this is not an AMG, and a very special car, has not driven one for a long road trip on a twisty secondary road....try it, and you will agree....this is a true drivers car! Overall I was blown away by the handling of the GLC and that is on the all season tires. I can't wait to put on some sticky summer tires and take her out to the track and enjoy some track days in a badass SUV grocery getter!

 

Good to hear your thoughts Birdman, roads in the UK aren't as good as yours but the 43 is the first car I have had for many years that brings a smile to my face every time I drive it. As easy to drive in traffic as it is on the motorway and it is enough of an AMG for me.

 

just got mine as well, and I feel the same way. Irvine you say? I'm a town over I'm coming from a '13 S4 that was tuned and with some suspension work and I have to say I am thrilled with the way this car drives from the factory. I'm still learning all the fancy things the suspension and drive modes can do but I just put it in S+ and push the exhaust button and I'm in pure bliss.

Didn't really think an SUV can get close to a car in driving dynamics....glad I was proved wrong

 

Welcome to the club SC! I am just now looking to do some mods, there is a cool suspension lowering module from Renntech, but it is expensive. Lowers the car 2". Have fun!

 

Great to hear and can't wait for mine. Dealer has been pretty silent, so hoping I'm not caught up in some kind of delay. Should have had my VIN by now as production was supposed to be last week.

PS. Thank you for your service!

 

I take it you have the 18 model? Do you have the performance exhaust? If you have the PE then please post sound clip videos. I am so curious to see if my resonator delete comes even close to the PE sound.

 

 

If you are wishing for a more compliant (softer) ride, swap out the run flats. My winter tires are non-RFT and the ride is a lot softer over the bumps and pot holes, might be just what you need to still like the rest. You will of course need to manage against not having a spare tire in the car though.

-Matt

 

 

As mentioned, this is my winter set up (Summer set up is 21" performance tires.)

I put 19" Pirelli Scorpion Winter tires on 19" rims (255/50R-19). They are good in the snow and support spirited driving when the roads are not snow covered. They noticeably softer, a little more compliant that you can feel in hard acceleration, but only in comparison to the performance summer tires.

 

 

I came from an 2016 E63 wagon to a 2018 GLC43 and I must say that I am used to the AMG approach to the ride quality. I am not that bothered by the somewhat 'harder/harsher' ride with AMG since that is partly why I purchased the E63 and the GLC43. I am currently running with 19" winter tires (run flats 235/55R19 on all four corners). I have not driven with the 21" run flat tires that came with the vehicle yet but I am not really worried much by the potential harsher ride characteristic (again that's part of the AMG experience which you get when you purchase an AMG vehicle). I love the tightness of the GLC43 and certainly look forward to warmer weather when I can ditch the winter tires for the summer tires.

 

 

MBUSA should address this issue. My 2017 GLC43 with 21" wheels and Continental ContiSport Contact Z rated tires experienced crabbing with LESS than full wheel lock and ALWAYS when my tires are cold at ANY outside temperature. I wanted the 21" wheels but nowhere in my hours spent "Building" on MBUSA do I recall any mention of "Summer Only" tires as the only option with 21" wheels. The owner's manual says DO NOT DRIVE summer tires under 45 degrees. I confirmed the fact with Continental. Perelli Scorpion Verde All-Season are available 1 size larger for the front and 1 size smaller for the rear. The rear would fit but the front 265/40 are three tenths inch taller. That possibly won't work; not sure yet. Also I find conflicting info as to whether that tire requires a minimum wheel width of 8.5" or 9". I'm awaiting a reply from the one national tire chain that's web site says the front tire can be mounted on 8.5" to 10.5" wheels. I think they are wrong; not sure yet.

I'm thinking of approaching MBUSA with the complaint of how embarrassing it is when guests riding in my car think there is something broken with the loud sound it makes when crabbing. Maybe a "class-action" is suitable here.

I would gladly trade these 21" for the 20" AMG Multi-Spoke...

 

I don't think so! if only 4.5k miles of usage will get it softer, than what will it do after 45k? AMG is all about preference, If you need soft ride you should go for 300 with AMG line option, you also pick a wrong size of wheels.
To fix your problem, you can go back to 19 inch, you have more meat and air in the tires, you will have a softer ride.

 

 

I would also be very surprised if the ride will get any softer - AMG's do give you a somewhat harsher ride by design compared to the GLC300. I came to my 2018 GLC43 from a 2016 E63S wagon and the ride in the GLC is not much different. I took delivery of my vehicle in late November 2017 and now have 3500km and the ride is the same as it was when I took delivery. Personally I love the ride and of course the acceleration from the engine.

 

I am going to change the 21inch for the 19inch (with black) for more comfort. Just spoke to the dealer. The ride is too stiff for me and yes I don't think it will get any softer.

 

So it sounds like at least some 19's fit just fine. Does that include the AMG 5-spoke option for non-AMG's? What other wheels have you gotten to fit? I like the 20's but sometimes they look a little too pimpin' to me, plus the ride thing. Also, my CTS-V wagon runs 19's and they work just fine (and it rides a lot nicer too w/ sport mode just a button push away).

 

 

Same tires, smaller rim diameter but same overall circumference, will almost certainly ride better due to taller sidewall. Maybe RFT's are different but I doubt it. Speaking of RFT's you always broom them and get some high-performance all-seasons, same rim size, that would definitely help the ride.