S211 vs S212

[350cls]

I'm not sure If this has been covered before but I'll ask you guys your opinions anyway.

Having owned two w211's now and one w212. I wondering how they compare on a ride quality basis. The w211 e55 salon I had being the riding on cloud was an amazing experience. Was floating along to be fair, amazing ride, didn't feel hardy any road imperfections. Similar to the old s211 e320cdi I currently have. Glides along on the deep sidewall 17" tyres fantastic. The e63 w212 PFL I have is an amazing ride also. It's firmer on its softest setting but it not bad I anyway at all. I like it, I'm used to it. When I get in either i know what to expect.

With regards to the non AMG s212 models do they ride more firm than say a s211 e320.

Was interested in the estate 212. I have a fair idea on build quality as I own one in each model. But never driven the S212 to really appreciate how they ride and perform against the s211.

Do some S212 come with adjusting suspension like some 211 models. Is the ride quality more of a firmer experience in the 212 than the 211 in general or is it really model dependent and tyre wall, wheel size.

With my experiences I find the steering has more feel in the w212 and the w11 a bit more vague, like wallowy. Which isn't a bad thing it just feels that way. The 212 is more precise I find.

What I'm asking, is it basically like this in all models across the range of the two. Any owners that have experienced both s211 and s212 please share your thoughts.

Many thanks

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

I can bore for England on this subject, so I’ll just try to keep it short.

My first point is about wheel and tyre size. This is a variable that makes a big difference. BMW, Mercedes and Audi have shoved the UK onto large wheel sizes with narrower tyre walls over the last thirty years and our ride quality has worsened as a result.

The second point is vehicle age: you’re broadly comparing decade old vehicles with cars twice the age, so maintenance / mileage becomes a variable.

Options make a difference: a few have air suspension which creates great ride quality but at the cost of maintenance risk. Personally I’ve never had a problem on air but I know others who have had expensive problems after high mileages on the 211 and 212, as well as the R230. Comfort and sports seats make a difference too.

Finally personal taste matters. Some are happy to rock around on 21’s or 20’s, especially if they’ve come from a (tramlining) BMW M Sport background, while others shudder. Without going all “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” It all comes down to what you think is “just right.”

Mike

(Currently in a very rare Dreier estate with adaptive suspension running on 17’s)

 

[ALFAitalia]

Was floating along to be fair, amazing ride, didn't feel hardy any road imperfections. Similar to the old s211 e320cdi I currently have. Glides along on the deep sidewall 17" tyres fantastic.

Tastes and driving style also comes into it...the bit I quoted above is exactly how I don't want my car to feel!!!

 

[ube63]

Tyre wall and wheel size plays a big role in comfort in my experience. I have bought a set of 18" AMG wheels for my W212 E63 that came with UK standard 19" AMG wheels. Seems like 18" was standard in most markets but UK cars came with 19" thanks to MB UK.
I am yet to fit and experience the 18" wheels, I expect meaningful improvement especially with worsening surface quality of the roads around where I live.

 

[ALFAitalia]

I have staggered 18s on my 212.......its still on the firm side for many (but just how I like it).....but it does have sport suspension....which I'm guessing will be std on an E63....

 

[350cls]

Yeah pretty much how I have experienced the both models be it with both AMG Models and the non AMG 211 chassis.

Thanks for the info

 

[badgx]

Just wanted to remind everyone that the suspension on the w211s211 E55/E63/CLS55/CLS63 is some what special. It has a feature where the car goes into a special dymanic mode above speeds of 68mpg, whereby the suspension lowers by approx 15mm whilst travelling high-speed on the motorway. The suspension would only return back to its preset ride height when the speed drops back down to approx 37mph. I have never seen such set up with any other car manufacturers. It truely is MB old skool engineering at its best

 

[Londonscottish]

I had an S211 on Airmatic and now have an S212 on Airmatic.

The 211 was on 17's. The 212 came on 17s but I changed them to 18s.

The ride of the 212 on 17s was similar to that of the 211. Noticeably hasher when I put the 18s on.

The steering on the 212 when on 17s (for a direct comparison) was noticeably sharper than that of the 211. Generally I find the 212 a bit lighter on its feet than the 211 and more fun to hustle a bit harder. But still very relaxing.

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

Unfortunately W212s have neither particularly floaty/comfortable/smooth rides, nor good 'sporty' handling. They also don't have particularly large wheels as stock - 18 for the 'Sports' only some cars have the optional 19s. I have 17" winter wheels and don't find it helps that much really. I would love to put 19" wheels on for 'the look' but given the state of UK roads, I think they'll just crack and I'll be too worried about them, plus the ride is crashy enough on the 18s, though I'm not sure how much difference it'd make on ride quality. I cringe seeing so many smaller cars coming with 19 and 20" wheels, though they do look 'cool'.

I think the S212 has airbags at the back for self levelling but it's rare to find a W212 with adaptive suspension. Perhaps the very later face lift models, or some higher end E500s?

I frequently rent cheaper cars / vans that have 'better rides' than the W212 - at least I cringe a lot less when riding over bad roads, and not just because it's no my car! Yes, the suspension on my W212s is working just fine.

I've never driven a W211 before so can't offer any comparison there. My BMW E38 and E39 Tourings both had better rides and handled much better.

 

[ChrisPDuck]

Generally I find the 212 a bit lighter on its feet than the 211 and more fun to hustle a bit harder. But still very relaxing.

My S212 has Airmatic, with the 'AMG Sports' package, including 18" rims, and I like this description a lot - light on its feet and fun to hustle. I've not driven a W211 so can't compare.

I don't recognise Teddy's description - I find the ride and handling very good for what is quite a large car. Maybe the Airmatic is the difference?

 

[abecketts]

I've only been a passenger in a W212 and whilst I found it comfy it does feel firmer than our W211, there were 18" wheels on both cars. The looks of the W211 also are a factor for me.

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

My S212 has Airmatic, with the 'AMG Sports' package, including 18" rims, and I like this description a lot - light on its feet and fun to hustle. I've not driven a W211 so can't compare.

I don't recognise Teddy's description - I find the ride and handling very good for what is quite a large car. Maybe the Airmatic is the difference?

Yes, perhaps it’s airmatic - is that all round or just the back for self levelling?

Have you driven a similar BMW (without runflats)? Or an older S-Class for example?

Even a small A-class A180 had as a loan for a week (a few years ago now) made me cringe less going over potholes, speed humps and broken road surfaces.

In terms of sporty handling, again it doesn’t compare to a 5 series - the ride is quite flat (as in minimal body roll) but it’s understeer central with no feel in the steering.

In my opinion the W212 (except for the E63 or perhaps the E500) begs to be driven sedately, like a limo. It’s good for a nice relaxing trip to your destination. Given the gearing and power bands it can hustle on the autobahn or to get past the riff raff before settling back down to a more sedate pace. The torque in the E350 CDI is great but it’s in no way ‘fun’ on a country road.

I do still think it’s a great, well built, good looking car, I just wish the ride was a bit better given it’s lack of ‘sporty’ dynamics (yes I have the ‘Sport’ suspension)

 

[ALFAitalia]

Different strokes etc.....but its sound like a different car to my W212!....its a Sport so slightly lower on 18s and no air. I don't get any notable understeer...the ride is firm...but not hard or jolting certainly softer than my old ALFA 159....Mrs AI is always saying how comfortable it is. Ill agree that the F10 5 series I drove before I bought the 212 was a little more pointy......even though it wasnt a sport model......but the ride was too mushy for me and I preferred the 212 interior.

 

[ChrisPDuck]

Yes, perhaps it’s airmatic - is that all round or just the back for self levelling?

Have you driven a similar BMW (without runflats)? Or an older S-Class for example?

The Airmatic is all round. I haven't driven a similar BMW to compare, but I do own a 2006 W221 S600 that has ABC. It has 18" rims but the overall rolling diameter is bigger so there's more sidewall. The S600 has slightly heavier steering, as though the assistance has been set to a lower level - it is very similar to the weighting of my old Chrysler 300C, so I didn't really notice a difference when switching between them. But the E500 has noticeably lighter steering, which I think contributes to the 'light on its feet', nimble feeling.

Before I bought the E500 I was expecting the ABC on the S600 would be superior to the Airmatic, but in fact the difference in the ride quality seems really quite small. I rarely push either car hard, so can't really comment on handling at the limit, but they do feel quite different in the twisty bits, with the E500 perhaps benefitting from being ~10% lighter and having smaller/lighter wheels. It has never understeered in my hands, and in fact seems very willing to turn in. I have surprised myself that I'll usually take the E500 out of preference.

 

[Londonscottish]

Yes, perhaps it’s airmatic - is that all round or just the back for self levelling?

Have you driven a similar BMW (without runflats)? Or an older S-Class for example?

Even a small A-class A180 had as a loan for a week (a few years ago now) made me cringe less going over potholes, speed humps and broken road surfaces.

In terms of sporty handling, again it doesn’t compare to a 5 series - the ride is quite flat (as in minimal body roll) but it’s understeer central with no feel in the steering.

In my opinion the W212 (except for the E63 or perhaps the E500) begs to be driven sedately, like a limo. It’s good for a nice relaxing trip to your destination. Given the gearing and power bands it can hustle on the autobahn or to get past the riff raff before settling back down to a more sedate pace. The torque in the E350 CDI is great but it’s in no way ‘fun’ on a country road.

I do still think it’s a great, well built, good looking car, I just wish the ride was a bit better given it’s lack of ‘sporty’ dynamics (yes I have the ‘Sport’ suspension)

I didn't say my 212 was "fun" just more fun that the 211 that preceeded it. The big difference is in the turn in; it's much keener in the 212. The body stays pretty flat because of the Airmatic all round and the combo makes it feel more agile than the 211. No steering feel to speak of but it does weight up nicely at speed.

Of course there's a limit to its capabilities which I found when I drove it through the Elan Valley; it suddenly felt heavy and ponderous on the switchback B roads. A great car in which to get there, the wrong one for those particular roads.

That's where the Golf/Leon/Focus-sized hire cars I've tried recently would be far better suited. But they wouldn't have the refinement (or space) on the way there.

I think an Arteon R shooting break might be a reasonable compromise. A bit smaller and lighter with switchable dampers so you can mooch or drive a bit harder. They also come with an acoustic pack which I fancy.

But I'd make sure I got the smalest wheels possible as I'd want a decent ride when I was driving normally - which is 90% of the time.