When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Harris, by clunky, I'm describing how the car often feels over uneven potholes, especially around bends in the road. Car kinda 'skips' over the potholes and larger bumps. Usually feel the 'clunk' in mainly the rear wheels. The chassis could most certainly be better dialed-in. You know the horrible roads here in the Northeast... they're a great proving ground. I'd have to let you feel how the M5 CS or GT3 deals with the very same roads for you to truly appreciate what I mean. MB could certainly learn a thing or two from both Porsche and BMW about suspension tuning. Don't get me wrong, it's very good but I'm just comparing against cars with better suspension. I know this is likely just in my head, but I swear my Graphite wagon felt better with the ceramic brakes. I'm nitpicking here, the car rides great overall. It's just you can most certainly feel the weight of this car on bad roads whereas the other do a better job maintain total composure. I suspect the heavy cast wheels don't help much in this regard either.
As far as why there's two different air pressure recommendations... The one in the door jamb is written by their lawyers and the one in the fuel filler door's written by their engineers. Lol
Yeah, you can't defy physics. The M5 CS weighs about 400 lbs less than the E63, and well let's not even get into the GT3. It weighs something like 1300 lbs less than the E63. Suspensions that don't have to manage 4500 lbs are inevitable better. The main issue of the E63 is its weight and the suspension has to manage it.
I'm sure weight is involved but I've driven plenty of lighter cars plagued by the same suspension issues. And the difference between M5 CS and E63S feels much greater than the weight differential.
I'm sure weight is involved but I've driven plenty of lighter cars plagued by the same suspension issues. And the difference between M5 CS and E63S feels much greater than the weight differential.
Curious, do you have CCBs on the E63 or the iron rotors? Unsprung weight is a major factor, too, almost more so than outright vehicle weight. The M5 CS CCBs together with the lightweight wheels supposedly shave off 25kg of unsprung weight.
2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
Originally Posted by ocdbroker
My current wagon does not have CCBs. I recently had one with CCBs, however, and mentioned above that I notice a difference.
Your original E63S wagon had CCB'S, forged wheels, and summer tires. That combination was certainly lighter instead of your heavier winter tires, cast wheels and iron rotors. That could explain the difference in feeling.
Your original E63S wagon had CCB'S, forged wheels, and summer tires. That combination was certainly lighter instead of your heavier winter tires, cast wheels and iron rotors. That could explain the difference in feeling.
My 2c:
Drove two, the same MY, CCB and no CCB sedans. W/stock summer tires.
No difference observed ….
Rolls Royce, Land Rover, and MB with their S class certainly figured out how to make a heavy cars ride well. Its all suspension tuning, which includes the geometry and bushing etc, not just springs and dampers.
My only gripe with my 2020 was the somewhat harsh edge on the ride, too harsh given the cars mission, a daily drivable land rocket. I got used to it, but it wasn't ideal. Can’t wait to see how my new 21 is in that department (with forged wheels and CCBs). You can both ride and handle well as OCD has pointed out.
Last edited by bullmrkt; Jan 14, 2022 at 09:44 AM.
I'd rather have a harsh ride and super sorted suspension. Not smart enough to figure out why but I can tell you this car's suspension could most certainly be better dialed-in. It feels a bit unsettled over bumps and potholes, especially when the bumps occur mid-corner. Hey, there's no perfect car... but this one certainly comes close.
2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
Originally Posted by ocdbroker
I'd rather have a harsh ride and super sorted suspension. Not smart enough to figure out why but I can tell you this car's suspension could most certainly be better dialed-in. It feels a bit unsettled over bumps and potholes, especially when the bumps occur mid-corner. Hey, there's no perfect car... but this one certainly comes close.
Really? Not for a DD for certain. I've had vehicles with really "controlled" suspension and the ride really got old after more than a few miles. The Comfort setting on the suspension coupled with the Sport engine profile is how I like to drive. Less harshness for road imperfections. Of course, we don't have wheel eating potholes here in Raleigh so I couldn't comment on the clunky rear comment. Perhaps you have something not properly secured in the compartment underneath the load floor.
For the last few months, my wagon's been mainly relegated to around-town duties like taking kids to/from school and errands. This weekend, however, I took a 230 mile journey to my son's basketball tournament. There's likely no better highway cruiser/family hauler than this wagon. With winter tires (Alpins) and all, it's rock solid at most any speed less than say 130MP. It inspires incredible confidence. Clunky suspension disappears at higher speed. Used comfort mode 20% of the time, Sports 60% and Sports+ 20% over course of my trip. At higher speeds this car is incredibly comfortable no, matter the suspension setting. If your driving is primarily around town, I'd say this car is suboptimal as it drives big and heavy. But it really shines on long trips characterized with lots of high speed driving.
2024 AMG EQE SUV , 2021 E63S Wagon - gone, 2018 E63S Sedan - gone
Cool! Did you use any of the driver assistance tech? I've found the the 2021 features are more refined than the versions were in my 2018 E63S with regard to lane and distance keeping.
I didn't use any of it but would probably do so on longer trips. A hundred or so miles one-way for this car is just getting warmed.
I use mine to "commute" to Seattle and Portland and I can definitely say it makes long drives feel like nothing. I absolutely adore my performance seats now having done ten thousand miles in them this year.
2020 E63S Wagon, 2007 335i convertible (tuned to 400hp), 2011 Audi A4 Avant
Originally Posted by ocdbroker
For the last few months, my wagon's been mainly relegated to around-town duties like taking kids to/from school and errands. This weekend, however, I took a 230 mile journey to my son's basketball tournament. There's likely no better highway cruiser/family hauler than this wagon. With winter tires (Alpins) and all, it's rock solid at most any speed less than say 130MP. It inspires incredible confidence. Clunky suspension disappears at higher speed. Used comfort mode 20% of the time, Sports 60% and Sports+ 20% over course of my trip. At higher speeds this car is incredibly comfortable no, matter the suspension setting. If your driving is primarily around town, I'd say this car is suboptimal as it drives big and heavy. But it really shines on long trips characterized with lots of high speed driving.
Completely agree...I've taken my car from the SF Bay Area to SoCal a couple of times, and letting it unwind on I-5 is sheer bliss...what a great ride, and so controllable. I hit 130 a couple of times on each trip, and it felt like I was cruising at 65...(and yes, I did that when the road was empty...), though I will admit that I had to show up a guy in a C8 corvette who thought he could beat me to any spot ahead. So much fun to see his expression!
The downside is it drives much larger than W212. Drove my wife's 2013 wagon today and it's so much easier to maneuver, has better visibility and driving position.
I know handling wasnt the primary topic originally but I just switched a couple weeks ago form a 2017 c63s to a 2018 e63s and was expecting the car to feel bigger and heavier, and so far I'm not feeling that. I haven't had a chance to throw it around much yet but it actually appears to handle better and have less body roll. Pleasantly surprised.
The downside is it drives much larger than W212. Drove my wife's 2013 wagon today and it's so much easier to maneuver, has better visibility and driving position.
I think a lot of this has to do with the ever-rising belt lines (bottom of window openings) of all cars including ours. Driven by impact/crash design requirements. It's not ideal but it's hard to argue with an improvement in impact safety. It makes it feel like you're looking slightly up all the time, especially right over the hood. Reminds me of driving a full-size SUV like a Suburban.
Every time I get in one of my classic/vintage sports cars I feel like I'm in a fishbowl compared to any newer car.
Last edited by bullmrkt; Jan 18, 2022 at 02:23 PM.
Wondering if base E450 somehow drives smaller. Also wondering how much the E63 bulging hood impacts this. Such a shame we only get all-terrain nonsense.
Last edited by ocdbroker; Jan 18, 2022 at 02:26 PM.
The E450 probably has lighter steering via more assist and narrower tires, but I doubt it's terribly different aside from that. I'm sure it rides nicely, if a bit too floaty for a sport-inclined driver. I'll drive one and report back if I ever come across one, but they seem to be rather rare. Then again, what isn't these days?
2020 E63S Wagon (waiting on it now), 2014 Porsche C2S, 2019 Audi e-Tron
Originally Posted by bullmrkt
It actually might be easier to replace the bushings (control arms) that MB replaced in the 21 facelift model, and try to get the suspension software updated somehow (its a dealer update outside the US). As far as anyone knows, those are the only differences and it really improves the ride.
Replacing the suspension with coil overs could prove to be a challenge because these cars are so electronically integrated, it might freak out a bunch of systems that you'd then have to reprogram somehow as well(?). Also, I’ve gone down the coil over road a few times and ride quality can be really hit or miss depending on the particular setup. The whole idea seems risky to me for a well tuned daily driver, a lot of time/money/effort and it might not pan out in the end.
Hate to say it, but if ride is a concern for you might be better off finding a MY21, there are a few out there popping up every few days if you keep your eyes peeled.
The software update is only available outside the US?
That's correct. I'm not sure what markets have it available, but it's not available via dealers in the US. My guess is the problem is regulatory compliance–it was either too difficult or impossible to apply such a change to an existing, certified, model year.
2020 E63S Wagon (waiting on it now), 2014 Porsche C2S, 2019 Audi e-Tron
Originally Posted by bullmrkt
That's correct. I'm not sure what markets have it available, but it's not available via dealers in the US. My guess is the problem is regulatory compliance–it was either too difficult or impossible to apply such a change to an existing, certified, model year.
That stinks. I am sure that software tuning could sort it out significantly. Similar to DSC module for Porsche.
We've had 5 Benz wagons since the 90s, including a 2005 E55, 2014 and 2020 E63s. With the 2014 I felt the ride was a bit harsh at times (esp. holes in the road) compared to other vehicles, and the 2020 has been the same. Recently, I just changed tires on my 2014 SL63 from performance PZeros to high-performance all season Continentals as we are moving to rainier climes and PZeros are sketchy at best in rain and even the slightest bit of snow. Driving it home for the change I discovered that as series of holes in the road that I used to avoid because they jarred my fillings loose were suddenly smoothed out and barely noticeable anymore. The point I learned is that the tires make all the difference in the world, and we've changed the 2020 fronts to all-seasons and will be doing so on the rears. (We also have winters on dedicated wheels for the more serious seasonal driving).
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
