Airmatic - Sport vs Comfort, what's the difference
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Joined: May 2013
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From: DFW Area
ML-350, Audi Q7, Ford Taurus
Airmatic - Sport vs Comfort, what's the difference
okay,
Airmatic, with 2 settings... Comfort and Sports.
I've been driving in Comfort for few days and I don't see much difference between it and sports, could be due to the 20" wheels?
So, what exactly does it do? what changes when switch from Sports to Comfort?
Ride Height? Suspension? Engine Rev? Steering?
Airmatic, with 2 settings... Comfort and Sports.
I've been driving in Comfort for few days and I don't see much difference between it and sports, could be due to the 20" wheels?
So, what exactly does it do? what changes when switch from Sports to Comfort?
Ride Height? Suspension? Engine Rev? Steering?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 316
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There is a definite difference on mine and I have 20" wheels. The ride in Sport mode is firmer and the truck sits about an inch or slightly more lower. In Comfort mode, it rides soft and too bouncy for my taste.
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Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 115
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From: DFW Area
ML-350, Audi Q7, Ford Taurus
hmmm, i need more comparison.... so if I want to drive it at the lowest level, sport mode is the only option right? can you lower it even more manually? or can you ride comfort at the same height as sport?
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Joined: Mar 2014
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2014 ML350 BlueTec
There is not any option for lowering " even more " manually. The AirMatic has programmed modes that lowers and raises your vehicle depending on its speed and other conditions.
If you can not feel a difference in dampening from sport to comfort, there might be something wrong as mine is pretty well pronounced and it make a big difference ride.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Atlanta, GA USA
2000 MB G500 NMLE, 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI Prestige
Mercedes is not giving the driver a lot of choices.
There is not any option for lowering " even more " manually. The AirMatic has programmed modes that lowers and raises your vehicle depending on its speed and other conditions.
If you can not feel a difference in dampening from sport to comfort, there might be something wrong as mine is pretty well pronounced and it make a big difference ride.
There is not any option for lowering " even more " manually. The AirMatic has programmed modes that lowers and raises your vehicle depending on its speed and other conditions.
If you can not feel a difference in dampening from sport to comfort, there might be something wrong as mine is pretty well pronounced and it make a big difference ride.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 574
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I agree, something wrong if you cannot tell the difference in ride between comfort and sport. Theres a huge difference in my ride on the 19inch wheels. The sport is very firm and the comfort is just about right for me.
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2013 ML500 (own), 2014 Audi A7, 2014 Audi A5 sportback 1.8TFSI 2013 Lexus GS350, 2014 Lexus RX350
Ride height, throttle response, steering feels a little heavier, and stiffer suspension of course. This is what I notice when I switch mine to "AirMatic Sport". Have yours checked if you don't notice any of this.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 387
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2014 ML350 BlueTec
Only thing I have not noticed is the effect on steering. But does not mean it is not working, I will test again to see if I can feel a difference.
Last edited by GregGebhardt; Aug 18, 2014 at 07:01 AM.
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From: Alberta, Canada
'18 GLE63S AMG /'19 PORSCHE TURBO S / '09 CORVETTE ZR1 /'14 LEXUS RX350/'16 RAV4 Ltd
Hugh difference on my ML AMG..3 settings..sport/sport+/comfort.
And yes you can lower manually as I did with lowering links. Adjustable yes but requires some manual adjustment to each link so not as easy as a switch in the cabin of which there is a system with this available but somewhat costly and apparently un-reliable...do a search for my install post putting the links in..
And yes you can lower manually as I did with lowering links. Adjustable yes but requires some manual adjustment to each link so not as easy as a switch in the cabin of which there is a system with this available but somewhat costly and apparently un-reliable...do a search for my install post putting the links in..
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ML-350, Audi Q7, Ford Taurus
I can tell the difference now after driving it for a week, the suspension is definitely stiffer and I can feel more bumps on the SPORT.
However, I'm still having hard time feeling the steering and throttle difference... maybe just takes couple more weeks.
However, I'm still having hard time feeling the steering and throttle difference... maybe just takes couple more weeks.
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Joined: Sep 2011
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From: SW FL
2018 GLE 43 SUV
In my 2012 BlueTEC with 20-inch wheels and Airmatic, the sport/comfort button appears to only adjust the suspension firmness. I can't find anything in the operators manual about the steering, shift points or throttle settings being affected, and I haven't noticed any difference except for the suspension.
Later models and those with the on/off road feature may be different.
Later models and those with the on/off road feature may be different.
Last edited by Shrdlu; Aug 17, 2014 at 10:17 PM.
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From: Atlanta, GA USA
2000 MB G500 NMLE, 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI Prestige
In my 2012 BlueTEC with 20-inch wheels and Airmatic, the sport/comfort button appears to only adjust the suspension firmness. I can't find anything in the operators manual about the steering, shift points or throttle settings being affected, and I haven't noticed any difference except for the suspension.
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2014 ML350 BlueTec
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2013 ML550
I have a 13' ML550 with the on/off road package and there are very noticeable differences in the steering and throttle response. Switching from auto(comfort) to sport instantly changes the throttle, it can be felt as well as heard.
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From: markham, ON, Canada
2014 ML 350 BT
On my c350 I am sure there was changes in the trans, suspension and steering. On the ML 350 BT I'm am sure about steering and suspension. Not so sure about trans..... I will try to pay more attention and post.
