dunaj6

Hi, I am already trying for few days to find out the difference between an preFL and FL car suspension.

I own a 2016 preFL S500 AMG Packet there is the older ntg and also just 2 buttons for drive modes, one is for engine (Eco/Sport) and second one is for suspension (Airmatic Comfort / Airmatic Sport).

I also own a 2018 FL S400d AMG packet (yes diesel i am from EU ) there is already newer NTG and just one switch for Dynamic select (Eco/Comfort/Sport/Individual) (for my surprise no Sport+ option as in 2018 w213 for example).

So far i have read the only difference should be an ABC suspension but i have just Airmatic in both cars. (There shouldnt be difference for AMG packet just for real s63)
The thing is that the older 500 is like twice more comfortable in comfort mode as the FL, with the 400d i feel like i am in Sport mode of the 500 (ofc when i change the 400d to sport it is even more stiffer)

I checked the data stream from level sensors on diag at home and the suspension is working, its lifting up, down, everything looks good.. no fault codes, but its really stiff.

I have 20" amg rims on both cars, front 245 rear 275 runflat tires on BOTH cars (500 - Goodyear, 400d - Pirelli) i know i would help myself with regular tires instead of RF but this issue i am talking about its not about tires, its the whole suspension like "less working" i am driving this cars for years, i know what i feel... i have also airmatic in w213 combi and its more comfy.

as far as i checked, the parts should be the same on both cars only the control unit is another in the FL 400d.

i found one topic here that is probably speaking about the same "issue" but there was no real solution or explanation.
Does the W222 have a sport suspension option?

Here are also the VINs of both cars on lastvin with all codes
S500 2016 preFL

S400d 2018 FL

only difference in codes what i found is the FL got 99B ACTIVE ADJUSTABLE DAMPING "NORMALLY OPEN"

If someone knows whats going on here i would be really happy and thankful.. if i should have stiffer car, i just want to know why...

thanks in advance guys

SW20S

I have a friend with a pre FL S550 I have ridden in many times and then obviously my FL S560, if anything mine rides softer…

dlafever

Well there is a part number change for MY18 cars, at least for the front struts. And the old part number does not get superseded by the new part number, so perhaps there's some softening of the airspring design?

PN for your 2018 VIN: A2223202200

PN for my 2015 S550: A2223204713

95Sinned420

It sounds like he's saying that the newer version has stiffer characteristics.

dlafever

Sure, so perhaps the newer part is stiffer. Either way the part number for the same location of strut changed starting with MY 2018.

SW20S

In my experience though its the opposite