C Class Sport - Ride to firm???

[adybaby]

Hi All

Your unbiased help please!! I have a BMW 530D sport, thats going so I can get something better fuel economy. The 2009 C class BLUE EFF sport is favourite at the moment - HOWEVER I am concerned about the rumours of the ride quality being very stiff......does anyone know how it compares to the BMW ride??

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

Hello and welcome to you. I think the best route would be for you to test drive one at a dealers.

 

[Chrishazle]

It's a Mercedes Benz - of course it's better than a Big Money Wasted!! (not that we're biased on here....)

What type of driving / engine size? If you're into motorway wafting and mega MPG, then an Elegance on 16's and a C220BE. For serious looning, then the 17's and firmer suspension of the sport (or mental and 18's on an AMG) might float your boat!.

The ride quality of the W204 is really good, but best bet is a decent test drive with SWMBO in the passenger seat.

Early diesel BE's had injector problems (plenty on here about it) so if you go for one of those, check that they've been changed to the newer variety.

 

[artyman]

I tried a 3 series and then a C class, bought a C class Sport far more comfortable.

 

[craig1912]

I have a later sport with 18" wheels and the ride is softer than the wifes BMW 325 with 18" wheels. I have the variable suspension and pressing the sport button really firms it up- great for a bit of fun but not sure I could live with it all the time. In normal mode its as I say softer than a BM.

 

[adybaby]

Thanks for the info so far guys - seems as tho it won't be any stiffer than my BMW then, I can live with that.

 

[st4]

BMW 5series Msport suspension is soft. My mates 545i is thus equipped and it wallows about a bit. A C class will be as comfortable but more fun to drive.

 

[robtt]

Try an Audi a4 sportline .They define hard as in hard ride !! I have owned all the German brands over the years and like for like Merc is the best.

 

[st4]

Try an Audi a4 sportline .They define hard as in hard ride !! I have owned all the German brands over the years and like for like Merc is the best.

They're not that bad. Try a Subaru Impreza on coil overs, thats firm You can see the difference in stone size that makes up the road surface, than feel that bump split seconds later.

Truly epic cornering ability though

 

[Deleted member 65149]

I've driven lots of BMWs so know them well. My new C350 Sport is on 18" and it feels slightly less firm than a typical BMW 3-series (and a lot softer than an M3). Even with the Dynamic Handling switched on it doesn't get uncomfortable - but a lot more fun! It's not quite as engaging as the BMWs, but I don't drive like a loon all the time so don't need that extra feedback. The Merc is way superior for the vast majority of driving. For me the Sport is perfectly balanced, I wouldn't want it any softer - and I'm a pensioner!

 

[Mercy1]

As others have said, you must test drive for yourself to come to your decision. I have just sold my C350 Sport - precisely because I found it uncomfortable on anything but smooth roads. Don't get me wrong, it was a lovely car, phenomenally smooth acceleration (on decent roads!) and nimble in and out of all corners. But I did feel every bump on the crap roads we have to drive on and in the end I felt the sports seats were giving my spine just too much gip.
Much depends on your own driving style. If you are a sporty driver, you will probably enjoy the sporting pleasure and forgive the crashy ride. Much also depends on your tolerance to the rock and roll and your own view as to what is acceptable in achieving a smooth ride.
If you value comfort over performance (as I have started to do) then a compromise might be the Elegance which does not have the lowered suspension and has more comfortable seats. (But it doesn't look as good, IMHO).
Get an extended test drive and don't let the salesman stick to the dual-carriageways (where it will be wonderful). Take it on plenty of less-than-perfect roads to see how it feels to you. And good luck with the search...

(PS: I have driven many three series BMs over the years, and I just don't remember them being uncomfortable. Might be an age thing!!)

 

[Deleted member 65149]

Interesting view from Mercy on the comfort of the C350. I wonder if the "over 2000 changes" on the facelift C-class included suspension improvements. Or was Mercy's disappointment a result of having the estate, which I'm sure has different and stiffer suspension.

OP is looking at a 2009 model so I agree that a test drive on varied roads is essential. It's all a matter of personal taste of course, so best to go by your own opinion.

 

[Frugal]

I tested the A4 and 3 series before chosing the C class sport and found the MB ride to be the most comfortable of the three. Bur this only my opinion and no substitute for your own first hand research.

 

[CardinalZeus77]

I have been driving BMWs for over 10 years! This is my first Merc.
I found the Merc to be the most comfortable inside and the ride is just right. Had my car nearly 8 months now and have been impressed with the build quality too.

You need to have a test drive and make up your own mind.

 

[de1]

Firm ride on C Class

I have owned a C200CDI sport saloon 2008 model for 3 years until 3 weeks ago. I loved this car, the ride was firm but very comfortable. Previous to this car I had several BMW 3 series and I thought my Merc was a better ride!

However, I've recently traded in for a C 220 AMG Coupe, and how I'm regretting it!!

The suspension and the seat are so hard on this car it's only comfortable on good smooth roads, it's so bad I am now complaining of pains in my lower back. The cars handling is really good and it looks great but the ride compared to my C200 saloon is so bad that I am contemplating changing again, and no doubt loosing a lot of money in the process.

I test drove this car twice before buying it, the roads we went on were quite good so the firmness of the car did not show up until I got her into the real world.

I parked my car next to a new c220 saloon last week, I was really surprised to see that both the drivers and passenger seats had a cushion on them! Obviously this owner wasn't liking his new car either but this was the saloon not the coupe.

My old car was pre face lift model, I have seen a couple of comments about the face lift cars being stiffer than the previous car but I didn't expect it to be this bad. I'm now unsure as to what car to get next, I don't want to buy the current saloon only to find it's as bad as the coupe.

I'll certainly be looking for a longer test drive of which ever car I go for next and on my roads not the ones the salesman wants to use.

 

[Colin_b]

As others have said, test drive. Sport is too hard for where I live, with its potholed and uneven roads, so both my cars have non-sport and 17" wheels. The handling is slightly less sharp, but I can drive across fell roads in comfort and retain my teeth

 

[de1]

As others have said, test drive. Sport is too hard for where I live, with its potholed and uneven roads, so both my cars have non-sport and 17" wheels. The handling is slightly less sharp, but I can drive across fell roads in comfort and retain my teeth[/

I am a frequent visitor to Cumbria, particularly the lakes area, my c200 sport coped extremely well with the roads there, I was there again this last week and drove around 450 miles in the C Coupe, this car was far to hard for these roads. What has previously been an entertaining drive for me has this week been a painful unpleasant experience.

Anyone want to buy a C220 Coupe.

 

[Red C220]

My current car is on 17" wheels. I ordered these specifically as I previously owned a "59" C Class sport estate on 18" wheels and found the ride unacceptably harsh.

17" wheels makes a noticeable difference in ride quality and personally I think they suit the C better, The 18's look a little overwheeled on C180,C200,C220, C250...Sure get the bigger wheels on the 3 litre cars + as they may actually benefit from the extra grip. On the 4 pots go for 17".

 

[Mercy1]

It's interesting how people's perceptions of a hard ride is so different - some here find the C better than most while a few of us think the ride is harsh. I think much comes down to personal tolerance of ride v performance. I found my C350 a superb performance car, but the downside was that in normal driving mode the car really bounced me round the cabin - and I have a stiff back to prove it! People on here have told me that if I opt for a Sport model I must expect a stiffer ride - so be it. Just be aware!!

 

[de1]

The C200CDI sport saloon I had was fitted with the 17inch wheels, and I'm sure the suspension on the pre facelift cars was softer than the current models. The handling was not the best ive ever driven but it was a good compromise between handing and comfort. The new coupe I now have has the 18inch wheels and low profiles fitted, it certainly handles better than the old car and on good road surface is not to bad a ride but on rough surfaces the ride is severe.

Ive not driven a face lifted saloon, can anyone comment on how they feel compared to the coupe? Has anyone tried both cars?

Can anyone comment on how the face lifted sport compares between the standard 18 inch and the option 17 inch wheels?