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There is certainly mixed opinion on the airmatic suspension. Under normal driving conditions it provides a very nice ride and handles well. I find it less than satisfying when the roads get rough or going through bumps or even small potholes. You have to be very careful, for example, going over speed bumps to not bottom out the shocks. There is something not right with the "travel" when there is sudden vertical motion, a key responsibility of any suspension. The owners in California and Florida are fine with it due to better roads, but not so much me in New Jersey. I had a double blowout after hitting a pothole in February 2011 which I in part blame on the airmatic. I also had my rear airshocks(or air springs as some call them) replaced after a little over a year because they were leaking over night and sinking by more than the "allowed, normal" 20mm. That was two months ago and they have been fine since. My opinion continues to be, after about 1.5 years of owning the car is that the airshocks are a potentially a good idea, but not necessarily suitable for all climates and drivers. This product has some serious issues and downsides and I'm not quite sure why Mercedes has continued to stand by it for so long. That said, these are my opinions and many others love the airshocks and would disagree with my assessment. While I grit my teeth when the airshocks do things that I hate, I otherwise really can't fault these e's, they are one of the best vehicles that Mercedes has ever made. Regards. Ned.
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