E220 AMG Line - soften the ride

[MB James]

Loving my new e-class but as a chauffeur I'd like to soften the ride a bit. Any tips?
It has 18" rims, but changing them isn't really an option (car is on contract hire).

James

 

[JDL60]

drop the tyre pressures a bit- MB always over inflate to get better mpg!

 

[V12]

Go for an SE next time with smaller wheels.

 

[MB James]

I'll try lowering the tyre pressure. SE is the typical exec car for what I do, had a 220 estate before. but there was a great deal online with this one. Didn't really research the model.
It's a great car and the ride is my only quibble with it. Haven't tested out the park assist yet though!

 

[Howard]

Let us know how you get on with tyre wear lowering the pressures

 

[BTB 500]

Overheating at high speed is a possibility if you use lower tyre pressures. I would only ever go higher than the plated figures myself.

Why can't you change the rims? Keep the originals obviously and put them back on when you get rid of the car. You'd then be able to sell the smaller ones on.

 

[m500dpp]

I have an AMG C class and similarly the ride is harsh - my MX5 rides better! Just had a look on wheelbase alloys and Icould get a set of 16" wheels and Pirelli Tyres for around £600 - the cost of a set of 18" tyres on their own!

Since you are chauffeuring I would have thought that would be a sensible solution when your tyres need changing. In addition to a better ride the wheels would be less prone to pothole or kerbing damage........I'm quite tempted!!!! Oh and the skinnier tyres would give better fuel economy......

hang on why do they fit 18" wheels in the first place? Oh yes they look nice!!!!

 

[JDL60]

Overheating at high speed is a possibility if you use lower tyre pressures. I would only ever go higher than the plated figures myself.

Why can't you change the rims? Keep the originals obviously and put them back on when you get rid of the car. You'd then be able to sell the smaller ones on.

he can't- it's a contract hire car....

 

[JDL60]

I'll try lowering the tyre pressure. SE is the typical exec car for what I do, had a 220 estate before. but there was a great deal online with this one. Didn't really research the model.
It's a great car and the ride is my only quibble with it. Haven't tested out the park assist yet though!

the park assist is quite brilliant IMO. I was very sceptical at first, thinking 'hang on I'm not in control', but put it this way- never scuffed an alloy during park assist.... wish it would steer itself going up and down the circular ramps on multi storey (70's design) car parks!!

 

[MB James]

I'll see how the tyres wear on a lower pressure.
£600 for wheels and tyres is pretty good price. Are they merc wheels? To be honest I didn't even know I had Park assist until three weeks of driving the car. The Mercedes guy who delivered it didn't point it out. Wish I had cos I've kerbed it a couple of times already. Mind you I've done over 6000 miles and I've only had it 6 weeks.

 

[stone3t]

I just upgraded my W212 E220 SE Estate wheels from 16 to 17inch, the 16s are sitting in my garage, they are genuine Mercedes wheels and comes with 2 nearly new Pirelli P7 Blue fitted 3000miles ago, 2 worn P7, and 2 brand new to be fitted Bridgestone ER300 tyres. All tyres are 225/55/R16W 99XL, rims are in mint condition, are you interested in the whole set?

 

[Red C220]

We ordered direct control suspension on ours which was a no cost option when new.

Basically that gave you SE suspension on a Sport car. The ride is comfy on ours with 18" wheels. Maybe this is available for retro fit? It may be little more than a shock absorber change?

 

[Ted]

Reported

 

[dprince]

The ride in my Mercedes e 220 AMG line is nothing but terrible, I feel every rinkle in the road, it shakes my bones and on undulating roads it is down right dangerous, can't wait to get rid of it. If only I had my old e350 w212 back!

 

[BfgSLKMan]

Note - you cannot fit smaller than 18" due to the size of the front brake caliper

 

[markjay]

Note - you cannot fit smaller than 18" due to the size of the front brake caliper

True. But you can choose 'confort' tyres rather than sport ones, avoiding run-flats, and lowering the air pressures to the lowest figure in the recommended range.

 

[BfgSLKMan]

Absolutley agree. Sadly UK is very limited with options; I was very lucky to be able to specify air suspension on both our cars and it makes our 20" wheels perfectly accpetable on UK roads

 

[as400]

My W212 E350cdi went from 19" to 16" alloys with no issue, definitely produced a more comfortable ride.