M-Class (W166) Produced 2012-2015

For those of you with Airmatic, how often do you use Sport vs Comfort

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Old Mar 2, 2015 | 11:18 PM
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For those of you with Airmatic, how often do you use Sport vs Comfort

For those of you with Airmatic, how often do you use Sport vs Comfort?

I find myself using comfort 90% of the time since the ride is much smoother, I find the sport too rough and bouncy... however I love the lower look of the car so I would sometimes do Sports especially I know the roads are smooth.

just a thought, do you find sport too bumpy? is there a way to lower the car but keep it at the comfort setting?

Thanks In Advance
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Old Mar 3, 2015 | 12:54 AM
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I use sport like you for looks, and for my kids to enter and exit. I don't have side steps. But when going along twisty roads it really enhances handling. Going up the mountain the rolling comfort mode is too soft and makes people sick inside. There is a bar that you install about $200 that will lower it in comfort mode and may keep it soft. Search for the ml63 here that did it.
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Old Mar 3, 2015 | 09:59 PM
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2016 GLE 350d
99.95% sport, 0.05% comfort

I prefer the firm, planted feel.
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Old Mar 4, 2015 | 02:23 AM
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Idont think i have ever driven anywhere without using sport mode, it should be able to be locked on.
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Old Mar 4, 2015 | 06:25 PM
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Sport 99% of the time... switch to Comfort only if the road is in really bad shape.
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 03:02 AM
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Comfort 99%, sport 1% in pothole country (Canada) sport is too harsh.
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Old Mar 5, 2015 | 06:33 PM
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searched, can't find anything on comfort setting with lower height as sport.... guess it's not possible
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Old Mar 7, 2015 | 12:16 AM
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After 3 years of driving a C350 I'm pretty much done with anything sport.
I use the sport mode only when I want to get on or off the highway faster than the car that has been tailgating/bothering me before. So far I got rid of every one of them
99,9% of the time I'm in comfort mode.
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Old Mar 7, 2015 | 05:27 AM
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Strafzettel, that's a good use. I usually pull back on the signal arm & give them bright bi-xenon and am always complemented with a finger.
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Old Mar 7, 2015 | 08:07 PM
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2014 ML 350 bluetec
Summer:

driving alone: 95% sport mode , i like the lowered look since I am on 22" wheels. On hwy, better feeling and control. I switch to comfort once in a while if the city streets are bumpy.

With wife and babies... sport mode on hwy only, rest of the time comfort



Winter : 95% comfort mode
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Old Mar 7, 2015 | 10:02 PM
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2015 ML 350 Gas(Polar White). 2015 ML 350 gas(Lunar Blue). 68 mustang
In sport mode Until the wife rides with me.


For those of you with Airmatic, how often do you use Sport vs Comfort-image-3250584695.jpg
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Old Mar 10, 2015 | 07:18 PM
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I'm a bit of a princess (if one could look like a burly badass dude) and Spend most of my time in comfort mode. But sometimes it's just nice to take off like a bat out of hell and I go sport mode off the line at a green light.....especially if there is a BMW M series anything beside me. Have not been beaten yet - though I am now addicted and intend to upgrade to the ML63 within a couple of years. For (responsibly) weaving through traffic on the highway, it is very hard to beat the amazing feeling of sport mode - but I don't like the bumpy roads. I can't believe how comfort mode absorbs all those bumps to make them almost not noticeable.
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Old Mar 14, 2015 | 02:56 AM
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Not to be undone, I used the sport mode on the highway this week, the ride was harsh to say the least, but the cornering ability was superb. I will be traveling the mountains in a couple of months and will try again.
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Old Mar 14, 2015 | 09:42 AM
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Old Mar 14, 2015 | 12:52 PM
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I switch mine constantly: Sport if the road allows, Comfort if it feels like crap due to a ****ty road surface. Generally this means Comfort around slow streets in town, Sport on the highway unless it's an old, pock-marked or rhythmically-bouncy highway (I hate that).

I tow a lot (28' Airstream) and I generally leave it in Sport for that as well, unless the road is just brutal. Much better feel to it that way; towing a heavy load in comfort is pretty floaty, but sometimes you still have to do it just to keep from beating the crap out of your trailer (and yourselves) on a bad road.
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Old Mar 15, 2015 | 06:31 PM
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I didn't know that about pulling a trailer ciparis.
Does anybody else use sport when pulling a trailer?
What is the problem created if you use comfort?
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Old Mar 19, 2015 | 12:08 AM
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I have a 13' ML550 with 35K miles on it. 95% sport, love the throttle response/tighter steering/lowered look and tighter handling. 5% auto(comfort) for horrible roads in NY. I tow a 25' sea Ray mid cabin that's 6500lbs and the trailer is another 1600lbs. On the ramp I start out in tow mode because it locks the center diff when you pull away which helps with sea weed, slick concrete etc. Then I switch back to sport for the more stable ride and it's just plain fun to see the looks on people's faces as my kids, dog and I accelerate past them with a giant boat behind us. Bring the V8TT back to the USA Mercedes!!!
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Old Mar 19, 2015 | 09:53 AM
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Am i correct that 2012 ML-350 Sport is only for the suspension? I can't tell any difference between throttle response and steering, the only difference I can tell was the ride height and stiffness.... Is 2013+ different?
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Old Mar 19, 2015 | 11:24 AM
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You are correct for the 2012s--sport/comfort adjusts the suspension only.

Unsure about later years, but some models were available with the on/off road option that adjusted transmission characteristics and possibly other items in addition to the suspension.
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Old Mar 19, 2015 | 12:50 PM
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My apologies, I didn't mention that I have the on/off road package with the six driving modes.
Attached Thumbnails For those of you with Airmatic, how often do you use Sport vs Comfort-image-4249563790.jpg  
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Old Jul 4, 2015 | 02:45 PM
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I use the sport mode extensively on the highway now. Comfort is great in the city and on gravel or mashed up pavement.
In BC, Canada the Choke-'n-Hauler Highway #5 @ 120+ km is great in sport. I find that cruise control on this highway maintains speed consistently even on the steepest grade.
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Old Jul 4, 2015 | 03:35 PM
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i have a 2014 ML550 and believe sport mode only adjusts the suspension and not the drivetrain. anyone care to enlighten me.
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Old Jul 4, 2015 | 04:16 PM
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Sport Mode

If I'm by myself - SPORT MODE, BABY!!!!!! And I keep the volume on my Valentine1 Radar detector Cranked!

If I'm driving others, then I drive in a docile manner using comfort mode.

Which is why I think I need a GTs.......
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Old Jul 5, 2015 | 02:42 PM
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2015, ML250 BlueTEC
Don't have AIRMATIC but have lowering springs

Have H&R lowering springs on my 2015 ML250. Great improvement in handling & little difference in the ride. Have "the look". To me this is a good combination. See pics @ my post " My Lowered ML".

Last edited by greasykid; Jul 5, 2015 at 04:42 PM.
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Old Jul 6, 2015 | 01:03 PM
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Originally Posted by jtorrebl
i have a 2014 ML550 and believe sport mode only adjusts the suspension and not the drivetrain. anyone care to enlighten me.
I thought the 2014 adjusts the transmission as well... my 2012 will only adjust suspension but lower does corner better. Wish I could lower the car but keep it at the comfort ride
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