Ride Height Question
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 158
Likes: 17
From: Sacramento, CA
2020 E63S
Ride Height Question
Car: 2014 E63P
I know the rear air suspension can raise/lower the ride height. I am curious what determines the height.
The "tranny knob" (Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Manual) adjusts the tranny shift points, etc....does it have an effect on rear rise height?
The traction control button (normal, sport handling, off) obviously changes the TC parameters, but does that also effect ride height?
Speed may also influence ride height.
Is there anything else that effects ride height?
My rear ride height seems basically the same no matter what setting I have....so I am curious how to put it in the lower setting at will. eg: I have it in Sport + and TC in sport handling...when I park, the rear looks about the same as if it was in comfort mode with normal TC.
I am pretty sure the system works fine as it does lower when shutting off, etc., but I am curious if there is some setting, or combination of settings, that put the rear in the "low" setting.
If so, has anybody actually measured the gap in different settings?
I know I can install links to "permanently" lower the rear, but I am curious what user setting(s) I can adjust to put it in the lowest setting without mechanical modifications.
TIA, Tim
I know the rear air suspension can raise/lower the ride height. I am curious what determines the height.
The "tranny knob" (Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Manual) adjusts the tranny shift points, etc....does it have an effect on rear rise height?
The traction control button (normal, sport handling, off) obviously changes the TC parameters, but does that also effect ride height?
Speed may also influence ride height.
Is there anything else that effects ride height?
My rear ride height seems basically the same no matter what setting I have....so I am curious how to put it in the lower setting at will. eg: I have it in Sport + and TC in sport handling...when I park, the rear looks about the same as if it was in comfort mode with normal TC.
I am pretty sure the system works fine as it does lower when shutting off, etc., but I am curious if there is some setting, or combination of settings, that put the rear in the "low" setting.
If so, has anybody actually measured the gap in different settings?
I know I can install links to "permanently" lower the rear, but I am curious what user setting(s) I can adjust to put it in the lowest setting without mechanical modifications.
TIA, Tim
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From: NY
E63S | X5
The ride height is based on the suspension mode you are in. It's the little button between traction control and the AMG button.
No lights = comfort = highest
1 light = sport = middle
2 lights = sport+ = lowest setting.
That's all that will effect your ride height.
No lights = comfort = highest
1 light = sport = middle
2 lights = sport+ = lowest setting.
That's all that will effect your ride height.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,649
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'03 E55, Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Ducati 748R
People state that the suspension settings change ride height but I have yet to see any actual data on this like we had on the W211. And unlike my E55 that I could actually see and feel it raise and lower itself when I changed the settings, I haven't noticed a thing on my W212.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 158
Likes: 17
From: Sacramento, CA
2020 E63S
The ride height is based on the suspension mode you are in. It's the little button between traction control and the AMG button.
No lights = comfort = highest
1 light = sport = middle
2 lights = sport+ = lowest setting.
That's all that will effect your ride height.
No lights = comfort = highest
1 light = sport = middle
2 lights = sport+ = lowest setting.
That's all that will effect your ride height.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 390
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From: Queens,New York
E63s
People state that the suspension settings change ride height but I have yet to see any actual data on this like we had on the W211. And unlike my E55 that I could actually see and feel it raise and lower itself when I changed the settings, I haven't noticed a thing on my W212.
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2013 C63
The ride height is based on the suspension mode you are in. It's the little button between traction control and the AMG button.
No lights = comfort = highest
1 light = sport = middle
2 lights = sport+ = lowest setting.
That's all that will effect your ride height.
No lights = comfort = highest
1 light = sport = middle
2 lights = sport+ = lowest setting.
That's all that will effect your ride height.
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From: NY
E63S | X5
Perhaps not, and to be honest I was operating under that assumption. I'm always either in C or S+ so apologies on the assumption about S.
There is definitely a height difference between C and S+ though, no doubt about that.
There is definitely a height difference between C and S+ though, no doubt about that.
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2013 C63
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CLS63 AMG
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E63 AMG, C63S, GTR
I have recently lowered mine and have been looking into this, ride height doesn't seem to change from C to S+ in mine from what I can see I don't really feel any difference in damping either until I turn suspension setting on stiffness 1 or 2
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From: NY
E63S | X5
If nobody else gets to it before I do, I'll science the chit out of this and let you guys know what I find. But, when I get my car back I won't be driving it until the season breaks and we get some good weather coming in.
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From: IL
19 E63s, 23 M3 compX, B9 SQ5
C is the highest setting, S+ is the lowest. You can clearly tell the difference in ride height and stiffness between these two, get outside and look at the rear suspension when you go from C to S+. The height difference between S and S+ is very small, almost unnoticeable but it is much stiffer dampening in S+ vs S.
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i just took a look at my car last weekend - i am lowered with H&R springs and links but in "C" it does raise the back end about 1 inch. In S and S+ the ride definitely stiffens between the 2 -
not the same as the W211 as that was full air all around - like a strut with a small airbag attached so when you hit the "raise" button on center console the whole car raised up about 2 inches.
Hope this helps - on longer drives i drive in "C" - no lights and "Sport" around town.
basically - concur with below
No lights = comfort = highest
1 light = sport = middle
2 lights = sport+ = lowest setting.
not the same as the W211 as that was full air all around - like a strut with a small airbag attached so when you hit the "raise" button on center console the whole car raised up about 2 inches.
Hope this helps - on longer drives i drive in "C" - no lights and "Sport" around town.
basically - concur with below
No lights = comfort = highest
1 light = sport = middle
2 lights = sport+ = lowest setting.
Last edited by baldmike73; Feb 10, 2017 at 12:15 PM.
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CLS63 AMG
C is the highest setting, S+ is the lowest. You can clearly tell the difference in ride height and stiffness between these two, get outside and look at the rear suspension when you go from C to S+. The height difference between S and S+ is very small, almost unnoticeable but it is much stiffer dampening in S+ vs S.
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From: NY
2016 E63s CCB
on pg 205 of the manual it covers the impact to the height of the rear axle due to suspension setting. comfort setting is +.4 in, Sport and Sport + is -.6 in. so 1 in overall change from C to S or S+
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CLS63 AMG
Also every time you turn the car off it goes back to the lowest height of s+ setting.
Sounds like from the manual there there is no difference in ride height between S and S+. I always thought there was a small difference there.
Sounds like from the manual there there is no difference in ride height between S and S+. I always thought there was a small difference there.
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'03 E55, Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Ducati 748R
I've never seen mine raise/lower and don't know why it would considering the front is on non adjustable springs.
Last edited by chiromikey; Feb 10, 2017 at 05:25 PM.
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From: Hotlanta
AMG
Yes, it is (to a degree). Page 205 of the e-copy of the manual shows:
The following vehicle levels are possible:
Normal
Raised: the vehicle is raised by approximately 0.80 in (20 mm) when compared with the normal level
Lowered: the vehicle is raised by approximately 0.40 in (10 mm) when compared with the normal level
The "Normal" and "Raised" vehicle levels can be set manually.
The "Lowered” vehicle level is set automatically:
At speeds above 70 mph (113 km/h)
If you have selected "Sports tuning"
(page 205)
The following vehicle levels are possible:
Normal
Raised: the vehicle is raised by approximately 0.80 in (20 mm) when compared with the normal level
Lowered: the vehicle is raised by approximately 0.40 in (10 mm) when compared with the normal level
The "Normal" and "Raised" vehicle levels can be set manually.
The "Lowered” vehicle level is set automatically:
At speeds above 70 mph (113 km/h)
If you have selected "Sports tuning"
(page 205)
Last edited by Chappy; Feb 11, 2017 at 05:43 AM.
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W210
Yes, it is (to a degree). Page 205 of the e-copy of the manual shows:
The following vehicle levels are possible:
Normal
Raised: the vehicle is raised by approximately 0.80 in (20 mm) when compared with the normal level
Lowered: the vehicle is raised by approximately 0.40 in (10 mm) when compared with the normal level
The "Normal" and "Raised" vehicle levels can be set manually.
The "Lowered” vehicle level is set automatically:
At speeds above 70 mph (113 km/h)
If you have selected "Sports tuning"
(page 205)
The following vehicle levels are possible:
Normal
Raised: the vehicle is raised by approximately 0.80 in (20 mm) when compared with the normal level
Lowered: the vehicle is raised by approximately 0.40 in (10 mm) when compared with the normal level
The "Normal" and "Raised" vehicle levels can be set manually.
The "Lowered” vehicle level is set automatically:
At speeds above 70 mph (113 km/h)
If you have selected "Sports tuning"
(page 205)
Has anyone else found evidence of road speed based lowering? I.e. when driving in Comfort does the rear ride height lower to the Sport setting height above a certain speed?
Member
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From: Sarasota, FL
2016 E63 S AMG
The best thing to do to visualize the ride height changes in the rear is to have someone in the car switching between the 3 different modes, while you are standing outside watching the rear raise up and down; there is quite a big difference between C and S+ and you can really see it when you’re actually visualizing the rear end height change
Personally I always drive in S+ due to the lower look and I don’t find the ride that bad
Personally I always drive in S+ due to the lower look and I don’t find the ride that bad
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 43
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W210
The best thing to do to visualize the ride height changes in the rear is to have someone in the car switching between the 3 different modes, while you are standing outside watching the rear raise up and down; there is quite a big difference between C and S+ and you can really see it when you’re actually visualizing the rear end height change
Can anyone confirm with absolute certainly whether or not the rear ride height changes based on vehicle speed?
Thanks
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From: Chicago
2016 E63S AMG Wagon; Modded Subaru Legacy GT wagon; 1971 Skylark Convertible
Sorry for the necrobump, but there seems to be a lot of useful and relevant information in this thread, though it doesn't quite answer the specific question I have.
It seems pretty well-established that there is a ride height difference between the suspension settings, but does anyone know whether the raising/lowering is always identical for both the front and the rear? In other words, does any adjustment affect the front and rear heights identically (i.e., both front and rear go up 15mm or down 10mm, etc., basically in "lock step") or do the different settings affect the front and rear differently?
This is surprisingly difficult to articulate, but the reason for my question is that I'm installing laser jammers that are supposed to be level. If they're absolutely level in the front and the rear when installed (car in park and turned off, so presumably at lowest height), will both the front and the rear remain level no matter what suspension setting the car happens to be in while driving? Or will certain suspension modes yield non-level placement because of unequal rising or lowering? Car is a 2016 E63s wagon, for whatever that's worth.
Thanks!
It seems pretty well-established that there is a ride height difference between the suspension settings, but does anyone know whether the raising/lowering is always identical for both the front and the rear? In other words, does any adjustment affect the front and rear heights identically (i.e., both front and rear go up 15mm or down 10mm, etc., basically in "lock step") or do the different settings affect the front and rear differently?
This is surprisingly difficult to articulate, but the reason for my question is that I'm installing laser jammers that are supposed to be level. If they're absolutely level in the front and the rear when installed (car in park and turned off, so presumably at lowest height), will both the front and the rear remain level no matter what suspension setting the car happens to be in while driving? Or will certain suspension modes yield non-level placement because of unequal rising or lowering? Car is a 2016 E63s wagon, for whatever that's worth.
Thanks!
Last edited by E666; Apr 17, 2023 at 01:47 PM.
