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Rock Hard Suspension I'm sure run flats don't help.
So my 2020 53 rides ROCK hard. That's with factory 21' inch wheels. I have 22in aftermarket wheels on my 550 Coupe and aftermarket 21s on my GL 550. Neither ride as rough at this
I'm realizing it has Pirelli Cinturato P7 run flats. I'm wondering if anyone has swapped tires for non-run flats as I know that is a contributing factor. For anyone that's got rid of the run flats did it help significantly?
I feel like I'm driving an old truck. The ride is jarring and makes the trunk cover rattle/shake (the one that lifts to cover items in the trunk).
So my 2020 53 rides ROCK hard. That's with factory 21' inch wheels. I have 22in aftermarket wheels on my 550 Coupe and aftermarket 21s on my GL 550. Neither ride as rough at this
I'm realizing it has Pirelli Cinturato P7 run flats. I'm wondering if anyone has swapped tires for non-run flats as I know that is a contributing factor. For anyone that's got rid of the run flats did it help significantly?
I feel like I'm driving an old truck. The ride is jarring and makes the trunk cover rattle/shake (the one that lifts to cover items in the trunk).
I mean I don't have personal experience with a 2020 GT 53 but in other MB models, yes going down a size, having forged wheels and getting regular summer tires with MB's Tirefit kit will mitigate the ride quality issue.
Well, you are comparing an AMG to two floaty regular Mercedes-Benz cars. It's not the wheels or the tires. It's the firmer suspension of an AMG. Is this your first AMG/performance car? Granted it's not a 63, but even a 53 will be firmer than anything w/o an AMG badge. For starters, make sure you use the correct tire pressures. Take a look at the sticker inside of the fuel door and take the tire pressure down to the normal load pressure. It'll be lower than what the sticker on the driver's door says. That pressure is the max load pressure and only really relevant if the car is fully loaded to its gross weight and you plan to drive 155+ mph, otherwise it'll result in a punishing ride. AMG's are much more nuanced when it comes to using the correct tire pressure as they have higher top speeds. But if you are looking for ride comfort, an AMG might not be your cup of tea. The suspension is tuned to keep the car flat in corners with a level of rest comfort, whereas regular Mercedes-Benz suspensions are tuned for ultimate comfort. You can certainly go down a few size in your wheels to get more sidewall and basically soften the effective spring rates that way, but the damping will still be on the firm side and the ride may actually be worse as the damping is tuned to match the stock spring rates and wheel sizes.
But just to add another possibility, I hope the shipping blocks have been removed. You wouldn't be the first one with a car that was riding on the shipping blocks for many years until somebody actually discovered that they are still in there.
Last edited by superswiss; Mar 6, 2025 at 04:09 AM.
Thanks for the responses. Yes, this is my first AMG. Thus far it's been a bit underwhelming. Everything you said makes sense. I can't help but think the run flats don't help either. I've had run flats on a Lexus LC 500 and going to regular tires made a huge difference. I read that the AMG would be stiff but goddamn!!! That said this sucker takes corners like it's riding on rails. But I also had a rental car that was a Cadillac CT4 I believe don't quote me on that. It also took corners like it was on rails but did not feel so jarring.
The most interesting point of your post was shipping blocks. Never heard of that. The car had two blown front struts when I purchased it likely why I got it so cheap so I had them replaced with MB struts. Never heard of shipping blocks but a quick Google lead me to photos and I don't see any shipping blocks.
I guess it's just a seriously rough ride. While run flats are impressive, I had a gutter nail in a tire once on the Lex had a completely deflated tire, drove to a tire shop and outside of the dash alert, I couldn't even tell my tire was completely flat. But, I will take as much cushion at this point as I can get and get rid of the run flats. At 44 I consider myself still young enough to handle a sports car feel but this **** is jarring. 😂
If I had went with the 63 maybe I wouldn't be whining so much, first world problems I kmow.
.
Shipping blocks are plastic pieces in the suspension that keep it from compressing. In case of coil springs, you'll find them attached to the springs. Below is an example. Blown struts on a 2020 would make me suspicious of additional suspension damage. The prior owner must have hit something badly. The adaptive suspension may not be working correctly. Also wanted to add, your other two vehicles have air suspensions, whereas your GT has coil springs.
Shipping blocks are plastic pieces in the suspension that keep it from compressing. In case of coil springs, you'll find them attached to the springs. Below is an example. Blown struts on a 2020 would make me suspicious of additional suspension damage. The prior owner must have hit something badly. The adaptive suspension may not be working correctly. Also wanted to add, your other two vehicles have air suspensions, whereas your GT has coil springs.
Oh I remember those I think the C190 GT actually had some bright coloured was it orange or yellow shipping blocks to make it more easy to identify. I am curious why they changed the colour to the one of such it matches the struct, it might get overlooked from PDI. I still remember a forum member bought a used vehicle still with them installed.
Thanks for the responses. Yes, this is my first AMG. Thus far it's been a bit underwhelming. Everything you said makes sense. I can't help but think the run flats don't help either. I've had run flats on a Lexus LC 500 and going to regular tires made a huge difference. I read that the AMG would be stiff but goddamn!!! That said this sucker takes corners like it's riding on rails. But I also had a rental car that was a Cadillac CT4 I believe don't quote me on that. It also took corners like it was on rails but did not feel so jarring.
The most interesting point of your post was shipping blocks. Never heard of that. The car had two blown front struts when I purchased it likely why I got it so cheap so I had them replaced with MB struts. Never heard of shipping blocks but a quick Google lead me to photos and I don't see any shipping blocks.
I guess it's just a seriously rough ride. While run flats are impressive, I had a gutter nail in a tire once on the Lex had a completely deflated tire, drove to a tire shop and outside of the dash alert, I couldn't even tell my tire was completely flat. But, I will take as much cushion at this point as I can get and get rid of the run flats. At 44 I consider myself still young enough to handle a sports car feel but this **** is jarring. 😂
If I had went with the 63 maybe I wouldn't be whining so much, first world problems I kmow.
.
So did you end up paying around with the tire pressures that was suggested by forum member superswiss?
Shipping blocks are plastic pieces in the suspension that keep it from compressing. In case of coil springs, you'll find them attached to the springs. Below is an example. Blown struts on a 2020 would make me suspicious of additional suspension damage. The prior owner must have hit something badly. The adaptive suspension may not be working correctly. Also wanted to add, your other two vehicles have air suspensions, whereas your GT has coil springs.
Thank you. Never seen these before on any car ever. But no, no shipping blocks. I agree on a 2020 with blown struts sounds suspect. But it was looked over by an MB shop foreman. It was just the two front, because it came from Chicago I suspect as the foreman does he probably drove around in sporr+ and dogged Chicago potholes.
So did you end up paying around with the tire pressures that was suggested by forum member superswiss?
Not yet, I work from home so I haven't ventured outside yet. But I do plan to give that a shot along with replacing the run flats with standard rubber.
Not yet, I work from home so I haven't ventured outside yet. But I do plan to give that a shot along with replacing the run flats with standard rubber.
The PS4S is an excellent tire. Has one of the best ride comfort among summer performance tires and noise level is good, too. As with any summer tire, though the compound gets harder the colder the temps, so at low temperatures they get a bit less comfortable, as do other tires as well for that matter. Not really a tire for when temps fall below 40F, but it remains impressively grippy even at low temps.
Here in NorCal I drive them all year around. It doesn't get very cold. They are also very good in the wet, but we only get about 60 wet days on average and I mostly leave the car in the garage when it rains.
I tend to prefer Conti but I haven't even checked the size yet. Definitely not a big fan of Michelin's or Pirelli.
Pirellis tend to not last long and in the NE I tend to prefer all season though I don't even drive my cars in the rain or winter I pull out the SUV.
I take it you're trying to resolve a similar complaint?
nope, just trying to help : )
I see, for the AMG GT people usually go with PS4s or at least another summer tire, I see that you want all season though for tread wear reasons.
I tend to prefer Conti but I haven't even checked the size yet. Definitely not a big fan of Michelin's or Pirelli.
Pirellis tend to not last long and in the NE I tend to prefer all season though I don't even drive my cars in the rain or winter I pull out the SUV.
I take it you're trying to resolve a similar complaint?
Here are the sizes (included every configuration since I am not sure what options you had) in case you still were looking for the numbers:
255/45 R19 on 9.5 x 19 ET22 285/40 R19 on 11 x 19 ET17
265/40 ZR20 on 9.5 x 20 ET25.5 295/35 ZR20 on 11 x 20 ET20
275/35 ZR21 on 10 x 21 ET30 315/30 ZR21 on 11.5 x 21 ET30
The PS4S is an excellent tire. Has one of the best ride comfort among summer performance tires and noise level is good, too. As with any summer tire, though the compound gets harder the colder the temps, so at low temperatures they get a bit less comfortable, as do other tires as well for that matter. Not really a tire for when temps fall below 40F, but it remains impressively grippy even at low temps.
Here in NorCal I drive them all year around. It doesn't get very cold. They are also very good in the wet, but we only get about 60 wet days on average and I mostly leave the car in the garage when it rains.
Good summary, in that case since OP is more concerned about ride comfort, I think PS4s is still the best option but OP doesn't like Michelins.
I appreciate the feedback folks. I'm gonna rock with these tires until it's time to replace them. I may check out the PS4s. I tend to be brand loyal when things work well for me such as the Conti. But I will go with Conti or PS4 based on price.
I appreciate the feedback folks. I'm gonna rock with these tires until it's time to replace them. I may check out the PS4s. I tend to be brand loyal when things work well for me such as the Conti. But I will go with Conti or PS4 based on price.
Actually yes, I did. My tires were at 41 all the way around but the car's label says 38 rear, 39 front. After adjusting, that small difference made a world of difference. Now I'm convinced replacing the run flats with standard rubber will correct the harshness. Thank you.
Actually yes, I did. My tires were at 41 all the way around but the car's label says 38 rear, 39 front. After adjusting, that small difference made a world of difference. Now I'm convinced replacing the run flats with standard rubber will correct the harshness. Thank you.
Glad to help and I am happy to hear it did the trick, enjoy the vehicle in good health!
I'm swapping out the factory 21's with 22 inch aftermarket wheels less the runflats. I'll report back to see if that further improves the aggressiveness. But again, adjusting the tire pressure just a little made a world of difference. Much more acceptable now. But curious how the non-runflats will do.
I'm swapping out the factory 21's with 22 inch aftermarket wheels less the runflats. I'll report back to see if that further improves the aggressiveness. But again, adjusting the tire pressure just a little made a world of difference. Much more acceptable now. But curious how the non-runflats will do.
It will be even better, I think it will be worth it : ) Except the increase in wheel size and tire part |(as in except this in terms of improving comfort) but it increase aesthetics which is another type of comfort, called eye comfort. We'll see : )
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