Road crown sensitivity
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 1,801
From: Colorado
G550
AFAIK, road building standards dictate the amount of crowning, and is different for gravel versus concrete versus asphalt. I've never noticed any unusual impact on steering other than what might be attributable to gravity. Are you referring to influence when driving on your lane side of the crown, straddling the crown or anywhere? The more annoying circumstance for me is the rutting on interstate highways caused by overinflated truckers. The rutting pulls the car back and forth into each rut -- makes using steering assist hazardous.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,143
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Very valid question. My 221 is very sensitive for the road crown and worn grooves on the road. I think the problem is with the stupid front suspension that open the toe on wheel that raises up, i.e., if you press the front of car down the toe opens. It makes the front kind of wild on not so perfect roads.
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,370
Likes: 1,693
S500
I remember a very old road test comparison in the 1990's
they'd taken a V12 Jag, a S500, and a 7 series to Germany to attacks the fast roads... but on the way back they had prolonged very heavy rains, and the two german cars were a death trap - yet the Jag could be safely driven at 90 mph in the filthy rain - where the two others had to slow down to about 75 mph or you felt on the verge of crashing - until that point they had the two German ones leagues in front when in the trying to do 120+mph in the dry... where the jag was vague and far less stable
in the end they enjoyed the trip driving back the Jag in the nasty weather and it got far more points as a result - so for real world use the Jag was a revelation - but if all you do is commute 50 miles at 130mph in the dry, the two German ones were much more suitable
wind your W221 up to 140mph and you'll weirdly discover it tracks straight as a die - and the engine power curve and gearbox come alive - they are not normal humans over there....
they'd taken a V12 Jag, a S500, and a 7 series to Germany to attacks the fast roads... but on the way back they had prolonged very heavy rains, and the two german cars were a death trap - yet the Jag could be safely driven at 90 mph in the filthy rain - where the two others had to slow down to about 75 mph or you felt on the verge of crashing - until that point they had the two German ones leagues in front when in the trying to do 120+mph in the dry... where the jag was vague and far less stable
in the end they enjoyed the trip driving back the Jag in the nasty weather and it got far more points as a result - so for real world use the Jag was a revelation - but if all you do is commute 50 miles at 130mph in the dry, the two German ones were much more suitable
wind your W221 up to 140mph and you'll weirdly discover it tracks straight as a die - and the engine power curve and gearbox come alive - they are not normal humans over there....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,726
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From: Phoenix
222 S-65
My 222 car is less affected by ruts worn in the roads than the 221 was. That said the 222 car has electric steering assist so there is no steering feel, where the 221 was quite communicative.
Botus I marvel at how comfortable my car is at speeds well over 150. Wish we Yankees could do such speeds without fear of earning a felony.
Botus I marvel at how comfortable my car is at speeds well over 150. Wish we Yankees could do such speeds without fear of earning a felony.
Last edited by JohnLane; May 3, 2025 at 10:32 PM.
