ShahnazImanova

hi folks i have 2 questions:

1) can not build a new M class 550 with 18'' wheels. it only gives options to build with 19'' or 20''. in case if i buy M550 with 19'' wheels, will i be able to fit 18'' wheels into this car? i am asking this due to the different size of support/brakes of M550 in comparision to M350.

2) if one compares the softness and comfort of ride between both M class:
one equipped with airmatic (in comfort mode of suspension) and the other with standard spring suspension, and both cars on 18'' wheels, then which car will have most comfortable/soft ride?

YYZ-E55

1) 18" won't clear the brake caliper cover. 19" minimum.
2) Steel suspension will be more comfortable.

merccruserUK

Hi to all,

I am considering a 350BT AMG Sport with Airmatic and on/off road pack.
in order to improve the handling.

I thought that Air smoothed out the bumps and ridges. Not that I am too bothered about a slight increase in harshness and presumably only in sport mode but better handling is what I want.

Can you advise please

merccruserUK

gplank

Steel suspension more comfortable? I thought that was one of the main values of AIRMATIC, that it is more responsive to road irregularities.

merccruserUK

Hi gplank, that's what I thought, but does Airmatic and the on/off road options greatly improve the handling?
Having tried a standard set up I found the handling very mushy.

Have you had experience of the air set up?

merccruserUK

Benz Werd

I have Airmatic, ON & OFF Road pack plus Active Curve and it holds the road very well, especially in Sport mode. I can go around bends that have advisory speed limits of 75km/h at 100km/h without any issues, and even my water bottle doesn't roll off the passenger seat.

Sport mode can be a little harsh at times, so I just switch to Auto and within 2-3 seconds the steering is lighter, the car raises itself slightly and the suspension is very soft almost like riding on a cloud. I generally switch back to Sport quickly as I prefer it this way.

I can't compare the standard suspension though because my current ML & my previous W164 both had Airmatic.

ShahnazImanova nice choice on the 550, you won't be disappointed!

Cheers

cmginc

I have the Airmatic suspension with 20" wheels and the ride is smooth and comfortable in Comfort and still reasonable with a stiffer ride in Sport. Either 19's or 20's will be fine with Airmatic.

EVOII_Racer

I can only agree 100% with all the above

S mode is the way too go!

Btw does the the 350 and the 550 ml with curve and active susp. has 3 suspension setting also? C , S and S+ ?

Benz Werd

I'm not quite sure of the standard setup, but with the On & Off-Road package there's 6 modes to choose from. Auto (comfort), Sport, Trailer, Snow, Off-Road 1 & Off-Road 2. I also have low-range so it's a 'proper' 4WD apparently

Can I ask you something about your beautiful country Switzerland? My partner & I were there in late 2011 and loved every minute of it, although it was quite expensive. How much do you guys pay for a new ML500 over there? Ours start at around $130K AUD before you add any options. The ML350s, both petrol & diesel, are around $110K and the baby ML250 diesel is around $90K.

Cheers!

EVOII_Racer

Mate i went to Australia and love your country too, Sydney, Melbourne great cities if only it would be closer to Switzerland i would live is your country

The 350 ml is around USD 80'000, the ml 550 is around USD 105'000 in my country and the ml63 +- USD 156'000 without the discounts we can get... Since the Swiss don't have the Euro (thank god) we can get a discount on CHF and on top depending where you work you can get an extra discount lol

Benz Werd

Glad you liked Australia! Thanks for that info. That's a fair bit cheaper than us, but still not as cheap as the USA. I failed to mention the ML63 is nudging $200K here, but there's still plenty of them on the road. Probably more of them than ML500s actually.

In my original reply to this thread I also failed to mention that mine has 20" wheels, along with Airmatic, Active Curve and ON & OFF road pack.

I know we're getting a little off-topic here, but it's interesting that you mentioned the Euro and that you're glad Switzerland doesn't have it. From a tourist point of view it was a total pain while we were travelling around Europe to have to change currency for 2 countries (also for the UK) but it was worth it. The Glacier Express train from Zermatt to St. Moritz was amazing and one of the most scenic experiences of our lives. Didn't think alot of Geneva though (sorry if that's where you're from!) but Zurich was beautiful, and so much like Melbourne. I also remember seeing an S500 as a taxi there haha.

Cheers