2015 W222 bumpy ride on rough roads
#1
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2015 W222 bumpy ride on rough roads
Hello,
I bought a preowned 2015 S550 4Matic 30 days ago, which replaced my 2014 CLS550. The car only has 38k miles on it, but I have noticed that the car has a very bumpy ride when going over potholes or just on rough pavement. It came with 19" AMG wheels and run-flat tires. I have never had run-flat tires, but many have complained in other forums about the ride from run-flat tires, but I can't imagine that they would cause such a noisy and bumpy ride over potholes. Any thoughts on what issues might be going on? The vehicle doesn't drop at any wheel when sitting, so I assume there is no leak in the AirMatic system, but I could be wrong.
Thanks in advance!
I bought a preowned 2015 S550 4Matic 30 days ago, which replaced my 2014 CLS550. The car only has 38k miles on it, but I have noticed that the car has a very bumpy ride when going over potholes or just on rough pavement. It came with 19" AMG wheels and run-flat tires. I have never had run-flat tires, but many have complained in other forums about the ride from run-flat tires, but I can't imagine that they would cause such a noisy and bumpy ride over potholes. Any thoughts on what issues might be going on? The vehicle doesn't drop at any wheel when sitting, so I assume there is no leak in the AirMatic system, but I could be wrong.
Thanks in advance!
#2
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Congrats on the new S and welcome to the W222 forum. A couple of obvious things to start with:
- Is the suspension in Sport or Comfort mode?
- What is the tire pressure? (Recommended settings are on the fuel filler door, one for regular driving, and a higher one for "extra load")
- How old are the tires, generally ride comfort declines as tires age and approach the end of tread life. The brand and model of tires are factors too as many on here have found some are much stiffer riding than others
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walterk55 (08-19-2021)
#3
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Hi Tom, thanks for the reply. It doesn’t matter if the car is in comfort mode or sport mode, the ride is still the same. Tire pressure is a couple of psi‘s below normal but I wouldn’t think that would make a big difference. Tires are Pirelli Cinturato P7 and appear to be relatively new with very good tread depth.
#4
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Hi Tom, thanks for the reply. It doesn’t matter if the car is in comfort mode or sport mode, the ride is still the same. Tire pressure is a couple of psi‘s below normal but I wouldn’t think that would make a big difference. Tires are Pirelli Cinturato P7 and appear to be relatively new with very good tread depth.
#6
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Runflats are likely responsible for your bumpy ride. Unless your car is sitting very low, its unlikely the Airmatic is the problem; their only typical problem is deflation. As for the noise, that may be specific to your tire, or you have have been expecting more quietness than the S-class actually delivers (this was an issue for me as well).
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Streamliner (08-19-2021)
#7
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Runflats are likely responsible for your bumpy ride. Unless your car is sitting very low, its unlikely the Airmatic is the problem; their only typical problem is deflation. As for the noise, that may be specific to your tire, or you have have been expecting more quietness than the S-class actually delivers (this was an issue for me as well).
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#8
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#9
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It’s almost like riding in the back of a beat up Uber or taxi cab when I drive over bumps in the road. Even my CLS was smoother although it was a sporty and rougher ride than previous E and S class cars I have had.
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Streamliner (08-19-2021)
#11
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When you say the tires are a few PSI below normal, what PSI are they cold exactly?
I have non runflats and I run mine at 32 PSI Cold and it rides great on AMG 19s.
I have non runflats and I run mine at 32 PSI Cold and it rides great on AMG 19s.
#12
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Road surface imperfections will be magnified with a RFT because of the rigid sidewall design. A NRFT will deliver the opposite result due to a designed flexible sidewall.
The two do not ride the same.
The two do not ride the same.
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Streamliner (08-19-2021)
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For those of us that are highly critical of ride quality, run flat tires are the KISS OF DEATH! Admittedly, RFT have improved over the years, but when switching to a non-run flat, very cushy, all season tire, the difference, at least to me is DAY AND NIGHT! I run 18” wheels with Bridgestone QuietTrack tires and MBC on my 2020 S560. I believe my car is the best riding, most quiet sedan this side of a new Rolls-Royce. I carry a W221 compact spare in my trunk. Good luck to you.
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2015 S550
I concur with others here that RFT's suck and ride like crap. They are also prone to having the tread split from the sidewall when hitting potholes or large bumps in the road. Basically, they're garbage and don't belong on such fine cars.
I've got the AMG 20" wheels and swapped out to these tires in the spring. They've been fantastic and ride super quiet and smooth, even on 20's. They'll also save you a ton of money over the Michelin's and are every bit as good.
No need for a spare in your car when not having RFT's. Blow-outs with regular tires are extremely rare....kinda like the odds of getting hit by lightning. And slow leaks from nails or whatnot can easily be repaired before the tires get too low. But if you're on a trip and notice a faster leak, you can always have this in your trunk to take care of those instances.
I've got the AMG 20" wheels and swapped out to these tires in the spring. They've been fantastic and ride super quiet and smooth, even on 20's. They'll also save you a ton of money over the Michelin's and are every bit as good.
No need for a spare in your car when not having RFT's. Blow-outs with regular tires are extremely rare....kinda like the odds of getting hit by lightning. And slow leaks from nails or whatnot can easily be repaired before the tires get too low. But if you're on a trip and notice a faster leak, you can always have this in your trunk to take care of those instances.
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………..No need for a spare in your car when not having RFT's. Blow-outs with regular tires are extremely rare....kinda like the odds of getting hit by lightning. And slow leaks from nails or whatnot can easily be repaired before the tires get too low. But if you're on a trip and notice a faster leak, you can always have this in your trunk to take care of those instances.
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Donnymac (08-19-2021)
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The trunks in these cars are smallish for a large car. And yours is even smaller with the rear sub. The spare cuts in to the space too much and is completely unnecessary. In 37 years of driving, I've never had a blow-out and I bet over 95% of all drivers on the road have never had one either. But if you do get struck by lightning and have one, that's what AAA, your car's insurance, or your car warranty is for to cover a tow. And please don't reply about a long weekend trip or tire repair shops being closed on Sundays. Those donuts are only good for 50 miles and won't help you finish your trip without a stopover anyway.
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WE ARE PREPARED!!
The trunks in these cars are smallish for a large car. And yours is even smaller with the rear sub. The spare cuts in to the space too much and is completely unnecessary. In 37 years of driving, I've never had a blow-out and I bet over 95% of all drivers on the road have never had one either. But if you do get struck by lightning and have one, that's what AAA, your car's insurance, or your car warranty is for to cover a tow. And please don't reply about a long weekend trip or tire repair shops being closed on Sundays. Those donuts are only good for 50 miles and won't help you finish your trip without a stopover anyway.
The trunks in these cars are smallish for a large car. And yours is even smaller with the rear sub. The spare cuts in to the space too much and is completely unnecessary. In 37 years of driving, I've never had a blow-out and I bet over 95% of all drivers on the road have never had one either. But if you do get struck by lightning and have one, that's what AAA, your car's insurance, or your car warranty is for to cover a tow. And please don't reply about a long weekend trip or tire repair shops being closed on Sundays. Those donuts are only good for 50 miles and won't help you finish your trip without a stopover anyway.
Had I been driving most any car, with most any type of tires and no spare, I would have been riding in the cab of the tow truck, leaving my car overnight somewhere and taking a taxi home. Now, just imagine this exact same scenario, but the car is full of your wife & kids and you are not in a metro area. Not good.
#21
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Had I been driving most any car, with most any type of tires and no spare, I would have been riding in the cab of the tow truck, leaving my car overnight somewhere and taking a taxi home. Now, just imagine this exact same scenario, but the car is full of your wife & kids and you are not in a metro area. Not good.
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DaveW68 (08-19-2021)
#22
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I would give up the one incident for giving up all my trunk space. My S550e has even less than standard so when I switch I will add a pump and some fix-a-flat (last resort) and my AAA Premium subscription will cover me trom there. To the poster, the S Class shouldn't be a bad ride, I haven't heard good things about the Pirelli's and you should go to America's/Discount Tire or a place that will give you a trade-in credit since you mentioned that the tires are nearly new and get a set of non-run flats.
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You make a good point. We all have choices to make. I choose to carry that spare. It gives me peace of mind and with just my wife and I, we have never needed more trunk space, so I really don’t feel as though I am giving anything up.
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Streamliner (08-19-2021)
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I choose to carry golf clubs at all times. It gives me peace of mind.