KingdomCometh

Just as some background, I’ve been daily driving an S Class for the past year. First, a 2018 S450 with non-RFT 20” rims that had 255s in the front and 285s in the back. It was pretty quiet but not as “whisper quiet” as people here say. Not even from the wind noise. Suspension is finicky over bad roads, lots of noise that makes it seem to be handling the bumps worse than the car is actually handling over the bumps if you take the noise away. Now I’m in an S560 with 20” RFTs and a 245/275 setup. Suspension feels better with these tires, although it does crash over ****ty roads still. I’m sure non-RFTs will help but not all that much as I saw with my S450.

Im honestly unsatisfied, having come from a 2017 E300 before moving up to the big boy S-Class, and I love the interior too much to move over to a 2019+ Audi A8L which I’ve heard has a much better suspension over bumps and clocks in lower on sound tests.

My conclusion is now: either move on to the slightly-less appealing S580 W223 with its foam tires and superior wind insulation, or try to somehow get foam tires on mine and see if there’s a difference? I’ve driven the S500/580 already and can confirm it’s better insulated. Otherwise, I’d like an overall quieter ride, including wind noise, and have seen semi-mixed reviews about the S650 Maybach version being quieter inside and comfier on non-RFTs. My question is, from people with experience with the S650 or by extension the S600 (not the 560 version with no MBC), is the interior quieter at speed, or does the suspension panic less over ****ty roads? I just prefer the look of the W222 over the W223, so going to the 580 is really ehh to me.

SW20S

I posted on your W223 thread too, but wanted to share the same thing here:

On your S560 the issue is the 20" wheels. Also, what tire pressure are you running? You will have the same issue with the S580. You cannot get away from the lack of sidewall to the tires.

I extensively test drove the A8 back to back with the S Class, along with everything else in the segment. The A8 does not ride better than the S Class nor is it quieter. Its all about wheels and tires. I tested both with a sound pressure meter and the readings are the same, as they were with my previous LS460L. 59 dB or so at 75 MPH.

My S560 on 19s with non runflat tires aired to 31 PSI is the best riding/driving car I have ever had, and I have had a lot of great riding cars, 4 Lexus LS sedans etc.

Only difference with the W223 is the 20 wheel option has taller sidewall tires, as do the 19s since 19s are now standard and the largest wheel is a 21. So, a W223 on 20s will ride better than a W222 on 20s.

KingdomCometh

Since I’m running 245/275 staggered tires, would you recommend airing even the back ones to 31? They’re aired to 40 in the front and 43 in the back from the dealer I haven’t touched their PSI. Would a 31/34 split work due to the thicker tires in the back?

And while I’d agree that obviously smaller rims are more comfy, the new S580 even on 21”s like I drove it with the foam is just more comfortable. The suspension and foam tires are lovely. Too bad I hate how it looks.

KingdomCometh

Just cause I forgot, do you have any experience with S600’s or S560/650 Maybach regarding wind noise? I did a run-of-the-mill db test with my phone (iPhone 13 Pro Max) which I know isn’t accurate but was consistently getting between 64-65dB at 70mph in the front and 63 in the back. Just thinking of taking it to the shop because either the interior is quieter so I hear more wind noise than in my S450, or this has that issue with the insulation I’ve heard about on many S560s in these forums.

Is there any visual way to confirm this?

SW20S

Those are the standard tire sizes, no? Those pressures are way above MB spec. MB spec is 35 front and rear. My 19s are staggered too. You can check on the inside of your fuel door.

"Foam" tires dont do anything for ride, they are for noise reduction. A new car will always feel more comfortable than a used car, a lot of that is perception. I can tell you though your W222 has one of the best rides of any car ever made.

The dB readings vary based on the app and the phone. You have to test the same cars with the same app to get a comparison.

KingdomCometh

I just deflated my tires to 31/34 and wow. What a difference. Only bad thing is the low pressure warning on the dash now. But it’s a different car even on 20” and run flats. Is this safe for 100mph+ driving? I’m 20 I still drive like an *******. Got the 560 for that reason

Tom in Austin

My W222 rides on 19s with non-RFT Pirelli Cinturato P7 AS Plus tires set to 33 PSI. The ride is so quiet and comfortable I leave the car on the 'sport' suspension setting all the time.

I test drove an S500 W223 recently and it rode nicely but no better than my car, which I thought was a bit surprising for a brand-new car.

cfmistry

My S550 is also nowhere near “whisper quiet”. I used an iPhone decibel meter and at 70 mph it was about 72db which was the exact same as my wife’s Honda Pilot! To be fair that car also has double-pane glass on the front windows, but point being it is far from exceptionally quiet. I also have 20” wheels with Michelin non-RFTs on my S, and I do think they contribute to the noise. I am fairly sure 18” wheels / tires would be notably quieter but it is not a sacrifice I am willing to make.

KingdomCometh

I'll be honest and say my S450 had considerably less wind noise than my 560, and my readings never got near 70 dB till a huge pickup passed by me and its down-piped V8 roared with its giant 34" rims and huge tires, then it got to 74. So if you're hearing 72 at 70mph on a normal nice road, you may have a significant version of the insulation issue present in many 560s, specifically on the driver and passenger window panels. I'd have it checked out. Mine was averaging 64ish in the front and 62-63 in the back. I believe I have a version of that wind intrusion issue on my 560 as well.

SW20S

Oh sure, it will be fine. But yeah, huge difference right?

Something is wrong. It should be way quieter than a Honda Pilot. I always test the dB readings in different cars I drive using the same app and phone. My S560 registers 59 dB or so at 75 MPH, my Chrysler Pacifica is about 64 dB. I just rented a Kia K5 that registered at 66 dB, but those were different roads than I typically drive. E Class loaner I had registered about 61 dB. GLC loaner I had registered about 63 dB. BMW 7 60 dB, Audi A8 59 dB. Range Rover 60 dB. These are all with the same tool measured at the same speed on the same road.

If you are getting the same reading as your Honda Pilot, there is an issue.

I have driven many many high end cars, and have owned several high end cars with reputations of being very quiet, the S Class is as quiet as the most quiet cars you can buy. I have driven multiple cars that are similarly as quiet, but never one that was quieter.

If your 560 is louder than your 450, again something is wrong. There shouldn't be any difference.

cfmistry

Unfortunately I took it to the MB dealership for evaluation and their technician noted "Road noise similar to other S-class vehicles". I do agree with you that tire size is critical, but unfortunately, my car is exactly as loud inside as a Honda Pilot. Again, the Pilot does have dual-pane front windows and much more sidewall, but its not exactly quiet.

SW20S

That's just the kiss off response from the dealer, there is absolutely something wrong. Unless your tires are just super loud for some reason, my guess is it isn't the tires. The 20s vs 19s or 18s are really a ride comfort thing vs a noise thing. I have a good friend who has a Honda Pilot that I ride in a good bit, and my S Class is quieter for sure.

Mitch Alsup

I set my 2015 S-600 tires at 39/39 as a compromise between life (higher is better) and ride (lower is better).
To me, the car feels a bit sloppy even at 39/39--but that is just 5,000 pounds with air suspension.

But, in Dec I hit a pot hole and bent a rim, so I am having a set of 19" wheels manufactured and will put (obviously) 19" wheels of the same width 245/275.
The wheels should arrive end of Mar first of April.
{PS. I ditched the run craps in 2016}

SW20S

Personally, I dont care about tire life. If I have to buy tires every year that's fine if I'm getting the best ride.