So I have had my 2016 S550 coupe for a couple weeks now and, honestly, I am not very excited about how it handles.

I have a mini Pikes Peak type 2 mile uphill run to my house with lots of twisties. I like to give it a go on a daily basis. I have a Ferrari 612 and previously had a CL 55 and they both handled the run wonderfully. I will note that the CL 55 had the ABC suspension system and I lowered it and put on wider and beefier tires and wheels. At the end of the day both cars did the run in similar fashion.

I recently replaced the CL55 with the S550. I will note that the prior owner of the S550 appears to have lowered it and put on 22 inch wheels with Pirelli P0‘s. I’m not a fan of the Pirelli‘s and will replace them with Michelin Super Sports but they don’t really affect the issue I have. The S550 has air suspension that raises and lowers and also a sport mode. I always drive it in sport mode and lowered.

My problem is when I make my run in the S550 it handles like a brick. It’s not really a tire issue because they don’t let go, the issue is there is a huge amount of body lean and it’s really uncomfortable in the corners even with 4 wheel drive. Frankly I’m shocked that my CL55 (which was 10 years older) could have easily eaten this car’s lunch. You would think after 10 years and adding 4 wheel drive the S550 would handle better than its predecessor, not significantly worse.

So I’m not yet familiar with the S550 air suspension system but I’m wondering if there is anything that can be done to improve the body lean and handling in the corners? I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks, I appreciate the input.

Yes, the S550 has sport and comfort settings for suspension and I always set it to sport.

However, this is not a tire and wheel issue. The ride is fine with 22 inch wheels, so no need to go back to 20 inch and the overall circumference of the 22 inch tires is identical to the factory 20 inch. My other cars had Michelin PS4S tires and, I agree, they definitely are better than the PZeros. But that is not affecting the handling issue that I have since the suspension never lets me get to the point where the tires factor into the equation.

My issue is the air suspension and whether it can be tightened up and be more balanced in the corners. Something to address the lean. Perhaps there are some after market solutions that people know of? I would love to hear if there are.

By the way, I do think a heavy car can handle great in corners with the right set up. As I said, my CL55 handled as well as my Ferrari in the corners and presently the S550 isn’t even close to being in the same league. The key is to have a low center of gravity, a great suspension, good vehicle balance and, if all of the foregoing is in place, then a great set of tires.

Thanks Dino333. You and I are in complete agreement. I don’t want to be overly critical of the S550. It is a great car in all areas except its ability to handle the twisties. I was just a little surprised that its suspension was not as able to handle the twisties as well my old CL. However, I am sure I will find an aftermarket solution and, in terms of the day to day ride quality, it is actually better than my CL even with the 22s. I also am really enjoying the “Stop and Go” Distronic feature in the grind of the freeway commute.

Here are some pictures. The original owner had it wrapped and put 22s with Pirellis P0s on it. I am certainly not a fan of the wrapping or the Pirellis. So those will be coming off soon (and it should be pristine underneath since the prior owner wrapped it new and made it a “Night Edition”). Underneath it is a magnetite metallic black (which I think is an awesome color) and it has a red and black designo interior with the “flowing lines” black trim panels. I agree with not paying retail. I didn’t do as well as you on the price point but I did get about 1/3 off of original MSRP. Not bad for a car with 15K miles on it and 2 years old! So I have some free cash to invest in aftermarket add ons (which I will amortize over the 10 or so years I am likely to keep it).

Thanks HAA. I actually started looking into that and was told by a Mercedes dealer that there is no suspension difference between the S550 and the S63. Anybody know the answer to this for sure? If that is not true then I would love to know that because there would likely be some aftermarket parts that are available to make the suspension into an S63. I have a great Mercedes mechanic and he would love the project.

I do not know if the hardware is exactly the same or different. This can be easily determined via the online Mercedes startek parts catalog system. It could be a matter of programming and calibration. If the hardware is the same then someone with access to the star programming computer may be able to help you load the AMG calibration settings if you like the ride.

I own a 2014 CL600 and an Edition 1 like the blacked out one in the post above. The 600 out performes the SCouoe in any form because of the hydrolic suspensions but with a cost. The 600 will never pitch, lean or yaw but it is s much harsher ride. Granted the 600 cost 45k more and should be finer than anything except the S65 but these cars weren’t meant to be driven like a Lamborghini. Just enjoy it as is. If your luck enough to own the Edition 1 or a 63 or 65 be happy, these are 1st world issues.

FYI, all S65, CL600 and 65 only come with the ABC suspension as standard equipment

Thanks 2014CL600. I had noticed on Auto Trader that all available S65s were 2 wheel drive but of course it didn’t specify the suspension. I went down to the local MB dealer and they didn’t have any S65s. They tried to sell me a S63 but it is the same suspension as I have so i wont go there. They said that the ABC was “optional” on the S65, but they were probably just trying to push the S63 and make it seem harder to get the right S65 than it really is.

So good to know. It makes the search a lot easier!

I know that the S and CL are and were hard to get. They all came and come with the ABC but I think the Magic Body Control might be optional but not the ABC, it’s standard, even on the Maybach.

No, Not all AMG models are equipped with ABC suspension’s any longer. Only the 65. It’s not even optional on the 63, any longer. From 2000-2006, it was standard on all CL models and optional on S Class’s. 2007-14 it was standard only on the 600 and 65 and optional on the 63. The Maybach 600 had standard ABC suspension. 63 models do not offer the ABC suspension any longer, it’s either airmatic or coil over spring. They are slowly doing away with the ABC suspensions systems. Once the Maybach is discontinued and the 65 is changed, I wouldn’t be surprised if they did away with ABC all together.