Katkon

I've been tinkering with the idea for a while. Was a BMW M guy for many years, but veered away from the brand several years ago as Ms became softer, quieter and more luxury than sport. Driving enjoyment had gone. I've admired AMG from afar for a while - they've struck me as the closest thing to a European muscle car (but better around corners). And that sound.... They seem more visceral, raw and edgy than Beemers these days. Essentially what the M Division was years ago.

Anyway, I love wagons. A local dealer had one in stock, and I test drove it briefly. Was very impressed with the quality of the interior, fit and finish, and the car in general. It felt tight and - of course - fast. Trouble is, this would be a daily driver. And even in comfort mode this thing is harsh. It crashes down over small bumps - made a helluva racket over relatively small road imperfections and pot holes; nothing plush about this ride. The Michelin PS4s are noisy too. While I understand the need for something sportier than a standard E, I can't quite fathom why the ride has to be quite so harsh. I asked the local AMG tech specialist whether I could fit 19" wheels on it - he said I could, and that might help (can anyone confirm?). Right now my only reservation is ride quality.

I entered the dealership with a 9 out of 10 level of enthusiasm, and left a 7 (ish). Yes, I find Beemers too soft (and besides, there's no M wagon in the US), but what's with the overly stiff ride AMG? Anyway, I'm still tinkering with the idea - just with a little less enthusiasm. The build quality, the sound, the look, the interior, the exterior styling - so much goodness in 1 package.

bobblehead

signes

Agree with your assessment OP. Currently have an S212 and considered upgrading but I found the same thing. Firm I don't mind, problem is suspension/tires that lack subtle tuning IMO. Tire pressures can help but in my drive they weren't at the max load settings and I drove on decent roads.

Amazing car just likely not the right thing. I want to try the M5 but I want a wagon. SOL!

mmmamg

that was my finding as well but i went ahead with purchase and I guess I 'adjusted'. The benefits and uniqueness of the wagon with 600hp overcome several things I wish MB will improve but I have no time to wait for better wagon.

Ariesfamous

19 inch rims with a bigger sidewall profile might be your answer here.

jdhertz11

It's definitely a stiff ride. My tire pressures are set in the 40's but I need to drop them to the mid 30's. Aside from that I don't think that there's much to do. Many of us have also lowered our cars which I'm sure has contributed to the rough ride.

gearboxtrouble

I've been a lifelong M3/4 driver too and I have to say my initial impressions of the E63s ride were eye opening. It's not like it was harsher than the M4 I was coming from (and certainly way more compliant than my 911 GTS) but I expected a plusher ride on a car like the e63 with air suspension and more of a luxury focus than in my old M4 with its solidly attached rear subframe and more of a sports focus. Its not like its bad at all but I'm fairly sure its worse than the other cars in the segment I've driven (RS7, M5, CTSV). After a couple of days I checked the tire pressures and noticed the dealership had filled them to 46 all round (probably playing it safe on liability issues here) and this seemed a bit too high. I dropped them to 38s all round (they'll go up a bit as the weather gets warmer) and there's a massive improvement in ride comfort. Its almost plush now in comfort mode.

Vic55

I fear that the Air Body Control is going to be harsh with even the 19 inchers...you will gain 5mm in sidewall but the driver here is the tautness of the dampening system. My roads are very good where I live and I still have a lot of feedback (which I personally dont mind) but I can see why many find this car very stiff.

abokor

I realize this is very subjective, but to add to the conversation ...

I started getting worried that the E63S was too harsh and maybe I should consider the M5. I just drove the E63S sedan again, compared it to a M550 (no M5 to drive) and my current RS7. I specifically picked a curving road that is in horrible condition - small pot holes, seams, patched over blacktop (post Chicago winter - the city should be embarrassed).

The E63S had the 20" forged wheels and the tire pressure was in the 40's in front and mid 30's in the rear. It was about 35 F outside.

The E63S was firm in comfort mode. In comfort and sport mode, I wouldn't describe it as harsh. It's tight, firm and very planted. There is a lot of feedback - you can almost feel the texture of the road. I sort of liked it. You feel the surface, the seams and imperfections, but I wasn't being tossed around and it didn't feel like it was destroying the car.

I specifically rode the edge of the road to pick up every crappy portion. I think it's live-able for a daily driver. I wish it was 25% less firm in comfort mode. That way when you have your wife or passengers, they can feel more comfortable. Driving alone - I think it's fine.

Next I drove the M550 (with maybe the 19" all-seasons). I put the M550 in Sport+ and honestly it's slightly disconnected with somewhat numb feedback. More like my RS7 in comfort with winter tires. If I owned a M550, I would be pretty disappointed. I realize the M5 is in a totally different class. Still working on getting to drive one. That will be the decisive inflection point.

In order of firmness, the E63S (in comfort) is the firmest (similar to my 911 GTS with tires inflated slightly above comfort settings), the RS7 (in Auto for suspension) next and the M550 being the least firm (even in Sport+).

So, I'm still concerned about the firmness of the E63S, but think I'd be able to adapt (or maybe care less what the passenger's experience is). I really like the interior, engine and exterior of the E63S. The way the E63S drives is great and you can't beat that engine/exhaust note.

I'm going to reserve 100% judgement until I can get into a M5 in early May when a local dealership has one, but I'm holding my E63S allocation.

E634Me

What I've noted, is that while the ride is firm, and not as plush as some might like in comfort mode, as noted above, the car does not skitter about mid corner while driving over rough pavement.

I've had cars with somewhat stiff suspension dance sideways a little as you're driving over some imperfections in the pavement - enough to require steering input corrections sometimes. So far I've not noticed that with the E63S - remains planted.

This is not to say that I've driven it down some of the washboard gravel roads I drive on my jeep, but it does seem to get on OK with the various roads around San Diego, not all of which are autobahn smooth. The road near my house has an annoying collection of patches, but thankfully no serious potholes.

Our winter "storms" are probably about done so I imagine they'll get these all fixed OK over the next few months.

BTW, yes I have lived other places and know what real potholes can be like - for example seeing water through them on the Cabin John bridge near D.C.

Thankfully we don't get the freezing weather that generates some of those monsters . . .

AMG 17GT

Wolfman

Stated by many the E63s is firm, no doubt. I like it but it is harsher than it needs to be. Mercedes uses the ABC moniker for the Air Body Control as they do for Active Body Control which is based on a hydraulic oil system instead (at close to 3000psi). Active Body Control does the same thing but IMO in a more elegant and compliant way.
Strangely, my wife who unfortunately has to deal with a bad spine (post multiple spine surgeries) doesn't mind the ride at all and likes how the performance seats hold her in place. Our car is lowered a bit as well. When driving together I do use sport mode instead of sport plus.

Katkon

Thanks for the thoughtful responses! I'm still a bit torn but increasingly leaning towards taking the plunge... I love what so many others don't - the fact that it's a wagon. And the best-looking wagon I've seen in quite a while. I think it'll even age gracefully.

ronin amg

The ride is harsh ?
How old are you ?
My wife loves the wagon's ride, seriously dude buy something else you are not a car guy.

abokor

This is probably a stupid question - Not really understanding if this is possible, but could the suspension be modified (coded or otherwise) to be more compliant in Comfort mode? Or is the softest setting in Comfort as good as it would get given the set up.

bobblehead

you won't get a softer suspension setup (on comfort) unless you do something on the tire setup.

Vic55

There are no electronic modifications that are out there to tweak the Air Body Control. You only have adjustments via the settings... so Comfort is where you are at and its really not that much more compliant. I actually really like the car for its functional gains with this very taut setup; the yaw is gone and the body roll at even the most aggressive speeds is limited. The car drives like its 1000 lbs lighter.

E634Me

I wonder what the ride height difference is between, say the E300, S550, S63, and so on, and the E63S? And the E63S versus the new M5.

My jeep has a very plush ride, but it has lots of ride height and suspension travel so it can be very compliant over bumps. It, not surprisingly does not handle like a sports car - though I drive it like one sometimes

Seems like there's got to be a point at which lowering the car and stiffening it up, reducing body roll, etc, has go to take away from the suspension travel available to glide over the bumps like a Silver Shadow. I'm happy with the ride of the car.

That said, I do see how in comfort mode they could perhaps have done something like increase ride height and let the thing float along more over the bumps while driving below some speed. Then progressively firm things up in Sport and Sport+.

kponti

That is what they did prior to the W212 and all we heard was *****ing from previous folks about how plush AMGs were and couldn't handle, etc etc

2012 merc amg

Seems like all E class are fairly stiff right now, I recently had a 2018 E300 Loaner with the 4 banger and even it rode fairly stiff. If you want a really complaint ride get a S450 or a S560. I have a S550 and it rides amazing over bumps, very smooth car.

Katkon

LOL. Thanks for the chuckle.

Clk63blkseries

My own 2 cents not sure why you order a e63 and then worry about harshness ? Its the ultimate performance car of the line. If ride quality of a luxury auto is wanted then why not a e400 or an s class

jdhertz11

Because this is not really a performance car, it's a daily driver that's fast. A 911 is a performance car, an R8 is too. This is a supposed to be multipurpose!

ronin amg

Say what ?????

My wagon and my 991 Turbo S same road....I traded in the Turbo S for the wagon

jdhertz11

I had a TTS as well. The wagon is fast and handles great but it's not a TTS.