PeterUbers

I try to keep these titles "searchable" to add to the wealth of knowledge on this forum, so here goes:

Thanks to the excellent recommendation by guys like BerndV and others, got the Conti DWS's all around and the NVH is indeed so much better with very little compromised in dry/wet on performance. My fronts (stock tires) were basically bald and the rears were half way so I just replaced them all at once, I'm at 14,500 miles and had no major issues with wheels/tires or air-tragic (airmatic)

Before getting the continental tires, I initially brought the car in because it had a vibration over 50mph, in the steering, in the body of the car, and more pronounced when I would move the steering left or right such as in a lane change maneuver. The checked rims, no bends/cracks (I have the wheel tire protection), said the fronts needed replacement but that the rears which were fine (tires and rims) needed re-balancing. No issues at that time with my suspension that I knew of.

They recommended an alignment with the change of all four tires, as I chose the conti's, and this made sense. When I got the car back, the vibration still seemed to be there a bit, but much better. And the car definitely pulled gradually to the right. Now this was NOT the road crown, and NOT normal for benz's to pull to the right (I read this a lot from some people on the forum, and this is incorrect, a benz should drive straight as an arrow when correctly aligned). I definitely became annoyed having to recorrect the car frequently to get it to stay in lane, and did NOT have any alignment or pulling issues whatsoever with the stock tires up to that moment that they needed to be replaced.

So I put it comfort suspension (I always drive in S+) and got "airmatic malfunction" which I thought was odd but seemingly unrelated. The suspension felt fine and the cars height seemed symmetric and normal for the S+ that I always drive in, yet it wouldn't switch to S or C suspension setting. I restarted the car and didn't try any more airmatic switching as i didn't want to be stranded and brought it in again.

After three days, they found the problem to be an airmatic sensor that wasn't reading correctly, and they noted the pull to the right immediately. They checked the alignment specs and data and it all seemed to be done perfectly so they replaced the sensor and the car drove straight again, and I concur -- it's back to driving totally normal, straight, and no vibrations.

Just and FYI to anyone out there getting something similar. Not sure if an airmatic sensor got damaged during tire replacement, but it was ironic that the suspension malfunctioned and caused the pull to the right immediately after I had the tires replaced.

Cheers

LFC09

I've had the car back to the dealership 4 times for airmatic malfunction messages. Each time something has been replaced.

PeterUbers

what a joke the airmatic can be

bbirdwell

I like the Airmatic. Like anything high-tech, it must be maintained. I have fewer problems with my car's Airmatic than I do with my laptop computer....

FWIW, after replacing the stock air springs with Arnott air springs at 93,000 miles, I found calibrating the Airmatic suspension resolved any issues I had with the suspension. Easy fix to the problem although it seems difficult. One hour to resolve with the proper tools. Knowledge is power.

gaspam

i hate airmatic.. on my E55 all 4 went out, all at different times and only one time was it convenient I.E starting the car in my garage and getting the red dash of death... the other 3 went out on various highway trips requiring tow back home..... arnott has made thing more economical for airmatic (about $400-600 each vs $2500 each dealer job) but its still a pain.... I replaced 3 of the 4 on my E55 myself, but 4th one had to be done at out of state dealer as i was on a road trip so i was screwed in that case.

I was excited about the fact that my M157 only has airmatic on the rear for 1/2 the problems

but now I have the yellow malfunction airmatic message so car is at dealership since i have CPO and no reason to do the repair myself.... pretty sure its the compressor

kponti

My car is currently still at the dealer for airmatic issue. This will be the 3rd time in less than 40k miles (car has less than 40k miles total).

Currently, I keep hearing air escaping sounds from the rear while driving. I do not remember hearing that ever before. Anyone else hear that?
I know those sounds happen when the car is parked, but I didn't think it did that when the car is moving too (or maybe I never paid attention before?)

gaspam

^ i had that on one of the rear's on my E55.. it was a small leak in the airbag where its joined to mounting plate.... i replaced it before it burnt out my compressor

kponti

Text my SA with that info. He called me over the weekend saying there was nothing wrong

PeterUbers

gaspam

^ lol is that again after you got the ride height sensor replaced ?

PeterUbers

thank god no... was cruising down highway pulling to right before the fix

pulled over and got that joyful message

gaspam

whew thats good, i was about to say this thread is jinxing us all

PeterUbers

this forum is self help and therapy for me and my Amg-anxiety !!

plus I learn a ton from you guys

otakki

Will there be less problem with MRC (magnetic ride control)? Why can't MB just switch to MRC for improved handling even if it is equally problematic?

Zod

Well put it this way
Bentley, range overs, audi uses them as well and they are all high end luxury brands, must be a reason for it

kponti

I'm thinking some patenting issues is why those cars still use air suspension vs MRC.
Also MRC is a different approach than airmatic. MRC addresses the shock absorber aspect of things while airmatic addresses the spring (coil Springs) aspect of things. Different ways to slice the cookie but ultimately end result is what you are looking for. Ride height control on the fly is lost with MRC for example even though MRC kicks *** in almost every other category.

PeterUbers

then the answer is air and magnets.... and cowbells

AG6

Thanks for the info, very useful.

kponti

Update, SA just informed me that some lines and joints were very corroded and had to order some parts to replace. This is after replacing the bags, reservoir, block, etc a few weeks back

gaspam

just got word on mine, as i expected, turned out to be compressor so they replaced it under CPO warranty and was supposed to get it back today but they just called me and said they are still getting codes so they are searching for leaks as well in the bags and lines

PeterUbers

at least your getting some new parts ... thanks for update

dinman

Some interesting info we have here... could this sensor maybe be bad on my 2010 e63? My car slightly pulls to the right, even after TWO alignments. Car drives perfect other than that. At 121,000 miles it could be shot

PeterUbers

i was getting this error screen on the dash... but worth a look

kponti

No more dirty pics PeterUbers! I just got this warning and dropped off the car off today. I am guessing sensor or two are toast

PeterUbers

oh boy... they are failing in droves!!