96 S500 rides rougher than a 2003 S55.
 

Well, I just got driving in a new S55. Pretty sweet. However, I believe my 96 S500 must be all jacked up because the S55, in my opinion, should have a much stiffer ride than my S500. That did not seem to be the case. The S55 seemed to "absorb" the rough road where my S500 seems to ride much more like my E430 sport. When I hit a bump or rut, my S500 seems to feel very rigid and not smoothly take those hits. Everything is still stock. Auto has about 115K on it. Tires are wearing evenly and getting great milage on the. I am driving on Mich Grand touring tires. I have put on new tires at regular intervals, but that has not improved the "rigid" ride. Any ideas where to start? I want a softer ride. Oh, tire pressure in he 30PSI range front and back. Back seems to be as rigid. Replace the hydrogen canasters a couple years back. Didn't help with the rigid ride.

KG

are you the first owner of your S500?

your 500 is a large heavy car with shocks and rubber bushings calibrated to control things at serious speeds, and over the years you may have gotten some deterioration of these components.

Now the S55, beefed up AMG or not, has a very sophisticated air-sprung suspension, arguably the finest luxury set-up in production, low profile tires no matter, your comparing cars with a generation difference in technology.

Nice thing about your car, when knowledgeable persons tell you it's time to replace the rubber components of the suspension your car will set-up like new.