Airmatic - must have or no?
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 373
Likes: 1
From: Nagoya, Japan
'15 C200 AMG line, '08 C300 Sport Avantgarde, '07 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd, '02 CLK 200 (gone)
I've had mine for a few days now and love the airmatic. The difference between settings is very noticeable. Comfort setting is smooth around town. Sport + noticeably lowers the car & stiffens the ride. I'm very happy I got it.
...just hoping it holds up for a long time. Don't want to pay to fix it.
...just hoping it holds up for a long time. Don't want to pay to fix it.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
1. The airmatic rides better than springs hands down.
2. If you lease or will sell the car within the warranty period get the airmatic.
3. If you plan on keeping the car get the spring setup and use the money for aftermarket coilovers like the Bilstein PSS10. Ride can be lowered but more importantly the PSS10 coilovers will give you a better ride than stock.
4. Read/search E-Class and S-class Airmatic problems and you will find you are guaranteed to run into Airmatic problems long term and that it is very very expensive to fix. I can guarantee it. I had airmatic suspension failures in both my E and S class.
Here is one on the main page on the w212 forum.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...eak-nhtsa.html
Airmatic problems is like dying it is guaranteed.
MB's airmatic seems to have more problems than most but other cars with airbag suspensions are also seeing failures. Search Panamera air suspension failure and any other car with this type of suspension and you will see same results.
2. If you lease or will sell the car within the warranty period get the airmatic.
3. If you plan on keeping the car get the spring setup and use the money for aftermarket coilovers like the Bilstein PSS10. Ride can be lowered but more importantly the PSS10 coilovers will give you a better ride than stock.
4. Read/search E-Class and S-class Airmatic problems and you will find you are guaranteed to run into Airmatic problems long term and that it is very very expensive to fix. I can guarantee it. I had airmatic suspension failures in both my E and S class.
Here is one on the main page on the w212 forum.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...eak-nhtsa.html
Airmatic problems is like dying it is guaranteed.
MB's airmatic seems to have more problems than most but other cars with airbag suspensions are also seeing failures. Search Panamera air suspension failure and any other car with this type of suspension and you will see same results.
Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: SF Bay Area
Mercedes C300, BMW X5
1. The airmatic rides better than springs hands down.
2. If you lease or will sell the car within the warranty period get the airmatic.
3. If you plan on keeping the car get the spring setup and use the money for aftermarket coilovers like the Bilstein PSS10. Ride can be lowered but more importantly the PSS10 coilovers will give you a better ride than stock.
4. Read/search E-Class and S-class Airmatic problems and you will find you are guaranteed to run into Airmatic problems long term and that it is very very expensive to fix. I can guarantee it. I had airmatic suspension failures in both my E and S class.
Here is one on the main page on the w212 forum.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...eak-nhtsa.html
Airmatic problems is like dying it is guaranteed.
MB's airmatic seems to have more problems than most but other cars with airbag suspensions are also seeing failures. Search Panamera air suspension failure and any other car with this type of suspension and you will see same results.
2. If you lease or will sell the car within the warranty period get the airmatic.
3. If you plan on keeping the car get the spring setup and use the money for aftermarket coilovers like the Bilstein PSS10. Ride can be lowered but more importantly the PSS10 coilovers will give you a better ride than stock.
4. Read/search E-Class and S-class Airmatic problems and you will find you are guaranteed to run into Airmatic problems long term and that it is very very expensive to fix. I can guarantee it. I had airmatic suspension failures in both my E and S class.
Here is one on the main page on the w212 forum.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...eak-nhtsa.html
Airmatic problems is like dying it is guaranteed.
MB's airmatic seems to have more problems than most but other cars with airbag suspensions are also seeing failures. Search Panamera air suspension failure and any other car with this type of suspension and you will see same results.
Last edited by solarflare; Jan 28, 2015 at 02:54 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 59
From: Manchester, UK
BMW e89 Z4 sDrive 35i & MB S205 C200 AMG Premium Plus
Calling all AirMatic owners. Have any of you got this with 19" wheels and if so, what's the ride quality like? What sizes of wheels do you have any how is the ride on poor surfaces? (manhole covers, tarmac patches etc)
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 911
Likes: 22
From: Ottawa, Canada
2014 C63 507, 2012 R350
I am very happy with it overall, although there can be a jarring effect with certain pothole bumps that feel awkward, but that's is a small price to pay for the overall excellent ride quality.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
C400
I ordered the Airmatic package with 19"s and i had driven the normal suspesion c400s, quite a few time may i add, and when i got my car (few days ago) i did not notive a difference in ride quality on the stock height to stock height. However when the Airmatic vehicle is raised the air quality is superb !
i ordered the package thinking i go also go lower, or that the agility settings would bring it a little lower. DISAPPOINTED !!
my previous car Audi S4 was really low, and i would like to get a littlw lower on my C400 without having to add a real Air Suspension
\Does anyone know a fix ?
i ordered the package thinking i go also go lower, or that the agility settings would bring it a little lower. DISAPPOINTED !!
my previous car Audi S4 was really low, and i would like to get a littlw lower on my C400 without having to add a real Air Suspension
\Does anyone know a fix ?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 787
Likes: 110
From: BNE, Australia
W205 C250BT
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
W205 C250
Relating to lowered sports suspension and airmatic. Is it possible to have both?
I live in Australia and the AMG line comes with lower sports suspension but I optioned the airmatic as well.
Does my optioning of the airmatic automatically get rid of lowered sports suspension?
I live in Australia and the AMG line comes with lower sports suspension but I optioned the airmatic as well.
Does my optioning of the airmatic automatically get rid of lowered sports suspension?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 59
From: Manchester, UK
BMW e89 Z4 sDrive 35i & MB S205 C200 AMG Premium Plus
Relating to lowered sports suspension and airmatic. Is it possible to have both?
I live in Australia and the AMG line comes with lower sports suspension but I optioned the airmatic as well.
Does my optioning of the airmatic automatically get rid of lowered sports suspension?
I live in Australia and the AMG line comes with lower sports suspension but I optioned the airmatic as well.
Does my optioning of the airmatic automatically get rid of lowered sports suspension?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 368
Likes: 0
B200T
In his defence, some of the dealers themselves don't know. I got two different answers whether "AMG sports package plus Airmatic means Airmatic that's lower", vs. "Airmatic is Airmatic, and is the same across all three trim levels"
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
C200
Airmattic suspension
Hi all
Thanks for your helpful review. What about maintaince issue with Romaric vs steel? Any cost implications in long run?
Just like to add my test drive experiences comparing the steel and Airmatic suspensions. The bottom line is that I was impressed with the comfort and handling advantages of Airmatic and have ordered a C200 petrol Sport with Airmatic and the expected delivery date is late May 2015. Based on my test drives and from the many owners reports I've read online I’m confident it’ll be worth the wait.
Some background: I'm based in the UK where we have the choice of three steel suspension setups: SE has comfort suspension with 16" 205/60 tyres, Sport has comfort suspension lowered by 15mm on 17" 225/50 tyres and AMG Line which has sports suspension on 18" 225/45 and 245/40 run-flat tyres. Airmatic is an option on the Sport and AMG Line but I'm not sure whether the setup is the same or not. While I'm not a fast driver we do have a lot of twisty roads and I don't like a car that wallows through bends. Also our roads have an increasing number of pot-holes and speed bumps which cause me some problems as I have occasional back problems and therefore ride comfort is a high priority.
Unfortunately my test drives weren't directly comparable because they were in a Sport with steel suspension and an AMG Line with Airmatic. I found the steel suspension car wallowed a little too much for my liking whereas the Airmatic seemed ideal in this regard. Also, even on the lower profile run-flat tyres, the Airmatic seemed better able to absorb bumps. My only criticism of the Airmatic was that on gently undulating road surfaces at certain higher speeds there was a little pitching motion but this could be dialled out by switching from the comfort to sport setting. One operators manual states that in comfort setting the ride height is automatically lowered when the speed exceeds 80mph and it's raised back to the comfort height when the speed drops below 50mph. According to earlier posts in this thread it seems these change points might vary in different markets. The ability to switch settings was the other key reason that caused me to opt for Airmatic.
Having said all that, ride/comfort is clearly a matter of personal preference and, as mentioned in an earlier post, I think you certainly need at least a couple of hours trying the various Airmatic settings on familiar roads to make a reasonable assessment and to decide whether it's likely to suit your particular needs.
My only other reservation with regard to comfort was that after a couple of hours the AMG Line seats seemed uncomfortably hard. Although I spent less time driving the Sport version I didn’t find the same problem. I was told the two types of seat differ in shape but not firmness. Does anyone know whether this is the case or whether perhaps the seats become a little softer after some use (the Sport demonstrator had a higher mileage)? Alternatively I wonder if there is a specialist who can modify the seats by fitting slightly softer padding or something?
Thanks for your helpful review. What about maintaince issue with Romaric vs steel? Any cost implications in long run?
Just like to add my test drive experiences comparing the steel and Airmatic suspensions. The bottom line is that I was impressed with the comfort and handling advantages of Airmatic and have ordered a C200 petrol Sport with Airmatic and the expected delivery date is late May 2015. Based on my test drives and from the many owners reports I've read online I’m confident it’ll be worth the wait.
Some background: I'm based in the UK where we have the choice of three steel suspension setups: SE has comfort suspension with 16" 205/60 tyres, Sport has comfort suspension lowered by 15mm on 17" 225/50 tyres and AMG Line which has sports suspension on 18" 225/45 and 245/40 run-flat tyres. Airmatic is an option on the Sport and AMG Line but I'm not sure whether the setup is the same or not. While I'm not a fast driver we do have a lot of twisty roads and I don't like a car that wallows through bends. Also our roads have an increasing number of pot-holes and speed bumps which cause me some problems as I have occasional back problems and therefore ride comfort is a high priority.
Unfortunately my test drives weren't directly comparable because they were in a Sport with steel suspension and an AMG Line with Airmatic. I found the steel suspension car wallowed a little too much for my liking whereas the Airmatic seemed ideal in this regard. Also, even on the lower profile run-flat tyres, the Airmatic seemed better able to absorb bumps. My only criticism of the Airmatic was that on gently undulating road surfaces at certain higher speeds there was a little pitching motion but this could be dialled out by switching from the comfort to sport setting. One operators manual states that in comfort setting the ride height is automatically lowered when the speed exceeds 80mph and it's raised back to the comfort height when the speed drops below 50mph. According to earlier posts in this thread it seems these change points might vary in different markets. The ability to switch settings was the other key reason that caused me to opt for Airmatic.
Having said all that, ride/comfort is clearly a matter of personal preference and, as mentioned in an earlier post, I think you certainly need at least a couple of hours trying the various Airmatic settings on familiar roads to make a reasonable assessment and to decide whether it's likely to suit your particular needs.
My only other reservation with regard to comfort was that after a couple of hours the AMG Line seats seemed uncomfortably hard. Although I spent less time driving the Sport version I didn’t find the same problem. I was told the two types of seat differ in shape but not firmness. Does anyone know whether this is the case or whether perhaps the seats become a little softer after some use (the Sport demonstrator had a higher mileage)? Alternatively I wonder if there is a specialist who can modify the seats by fitting slightly softer padding or something?
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 600
Likes: 4
From: Sunshine State
2015 C300 RWD
Every option on the car will need some love at some point. Air suspensions have history of pricey fix if they break outside of warranty. Usually by then, there's aftermarket parts for air, or you can convert to steel suspension. Electrical gremlins and other build QA issues yet to surface are likely to kill your wallet before the air suspension will.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
TBD
Airmatic also makes the car more wallowy and dampens steering feel. tbh, there is not THAT big a difference between airmatic and luxury coil...since coil is quicker to react, sometimes it feels less bumpy as well vs airmatic.
To me its not worth the sacrifice in steering, etc.
To me its not worth the sacrifice in steering, etc.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 457
Likes: 16
From: Columbus, GA
'25 MB GLE 450, w/airmatic
Airmatic also makes the car more wallowy and dampens steering feel. tbh, there is not THAT big a difference between airmatic and luxury coil...since coil is quicker to react, sometimes it feels less bumpy as well vs airmatic.
To me its not worth the sacrifice in steering, etc.
To me its not worth the sacrifice in steering, etc.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 366
Likes: 8
From: SF Bay Area
CLA-250, C-300
After much research, I decided that it was a must have, so I ordered my vehicle. Dealers were saying "there are only 2 in the whole country", right, anyway. I decided to order exactly what I wanted, it will be built next week, that shipping time, looking at April delivery.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,135
Likes: 272
From: Sweden
S213
Airmatic also makes the car more wallowy and dampens steering feel. tbh, there is not THAT big a difference between airmatic and luxury coil...since coil is quicker to react, sometimes it feels less bumpy as well vs airmatic.
To me its not worth the sacrifice in steering, etc.
To me its not worth the sacrifice in steering, etc.
The Airmatic struts have steel springs inside them, with 100% airbags you would get a mushy ride, but it is not noticable in the W205
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
TBD
Coil feels more accurate, responsive, and direct. I was worried I would be getting a bouncy ride, but on my C300 Luxury on any setting, there was barely a noticeable improvement in terms of smoothness over the roads.
Adjustable ride height is the big addition you get with Airmatic, if that's important to you.
Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 159
Likes: 5
C300
You can talk the parts all day long but the reality they both have trade-offs, significant enough for at least one buyer to mark off the air suspension.
Coil feels more accurate, responsive, and direct. I was worried I would be getting a bouncy ride, but on my C300 Luxury on any setting, there was barely a noticeable improvement in terms of smoothness over the roads.
Adjustable ride height is the big addition you get with Airmatic, if that's important to you.
Coil feels more accurate, responsive, and direct. I was worried I would be getting a bouncy ride, but on my C300 Luxury on any setting, there was barely a noticeable improvement in terms of smoothness over the roads.
Adjustable ride height is the big addition you get with Airmatic, if that's important to you.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 33
From: Whitefield, NH
2015 C300 Sport: Palladium, Premium, Multimedia, Leather, BLIS
If you're looking for a tight ride to the road, the w205 not the best pick of a car by far. They're all pretty lightly spung and cushy. The only real reasons to skip airmatic is your cost/budget, or availability if you want a car off the lot, since dealers can't get airmatic without special orders.
There are many reasons to not go with Airmatic that go beyond simple cost. I chose to go with the steel suspension, because Airmatic was not what I wanted. I won't go into it, other than to say that there are three steel suspension choices and one air suspension choice. Drive them all if you can, read the available reviews online, and make an informed decision based on what you think you'd like in the car. I don't believe there's a bad choice, nor do I believe that owners who have opted for any of the steel suspensions did so because they couldn't afford Airmatic.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
TBD
If you're looking for a tight ride to the road, the w205 not the best pick of a car by far. They're all pretty lightly spung and cushy. The only real reasons to skip airmatic is your cost/budget, or availability if you want a car off the lot, since dealers can't get airmatic without special orders.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,135
Likes: 272
From: Sweden
S213
I never stated that I was looking for the best in any category. I drive many luxury cars, and upon considering the new C300 as a gift, I felt it was not worth it. Plus the noise the airmatics must make while raising and lowering is disconcerting, not to mention the reliability issues.
The fact that you mention noise as a drawback tells me you havnt spent much time in an airmatic vehicle, the compressor and release valves are from standing next to the vehicle hardly noticable when the motor is running and when sitting inside the vehicle you cannot hear it at all.
Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 159
Likes: 5
C300
I never stated that I was looking for the best in any category. I drive many luxury cars, and upon considering the new C300 as a gift, I felt it was not worth it. Plus the noise the airmatics must make while raising and lowering is disconcerting, not to mention the reliability issues.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,075
Likes: 59
From: Manchester, UK
BMW e89 Z4 sDrive 35i & MB S205 C200 AMG Premium Plus
Lol it's not a bus! Anyhow I'll give some feedback in a few weeks as mine (with airmatic) should arrive. My test cars were AMG spring (too hard) hence taking a risk on AirMatic.
