CLS Coupe (C219) Discuss the CLS Coupe.

Suspension Malfunction

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Apr 5, 2011 | 08:12 PM
  #1  
kevtran's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
CLS 550
Suspension Malfunction

So I parked my 07 CLS550, and heard the usual compression sound while the suspension was rising. But it did not turn off for at least 20 minutes. I later drove my car and received the picture of a car with the arrow up and "Malfunction" under it.

After doing much research it looks like this is a common problem, and what sucks is that I am out of warranty by 2000 miles. My question is, has anyone experienced this problem and still able to drive? What is cool is that my car actually sits lower now (I have not installed my links yet) and still driveable. I just don't want to drive it and it just slams to the ground due to the suspension malfunctioning. Thanks.

-Kev
Reply
Old Apr 5, 2011 | 09:10 PM
  #2  
RedBullJnky's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,921
Likes: 9
From: Streets of SoFlo
you to Hate
Dont drive it like that. I tried to and hit both fenders while in mid turn on the way to get it fixed. That sucked! It was in my E500 and it was out of warrenty also. Dont know where your from, but Im in South Florida and I have a MB master tech that works for himself and does all the work for more than half off of dealership.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2011 | 12:53 AM
  #3  
DuaneC63's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 10
From: San Diego/San Francisco
AMG GLC63. Audi R8
Welcome to the world of MBZ self leveling suspension. The system is failure prone and seems to be timed to fail right after the warranty runs out. The fix is usually stupid expensive. I'll stay with the "cheap" C63 with a normal suspension everytime.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2011 | 10:43 AM
  #4  
kevtran's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
CLS 550
My car isn't so low where its going to bottom out on turns, I've actually driven it on the freeway for the past couple days. But I know someone local that is a MB tech and has the STAR system in his garage. So Im going to have it checked out today.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2011 | 07:07 PM
  #5  
RedBullJnky's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,921
Likes: 9
From: Streets of SoFlo
you to Hate
The car wasnt too low. It has 20 inch Asanti's on it. 8.5 front and 10.5 rear with 245/35 front and 275/30 rear. Where the roads met at turn it dipped down. I went slow and still caught it. But thats alright, everything has been fixed.
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2011 | 11:54 PM
  #6  
locogringo's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 41
Likes: 7
From: Southern California
a little bit of this... a little bit of that
My suggestion: Look into the aftermarket Arnott strut airmatic replacement.

A lot of technical info here in this forum on the matter and they cost $400 (or thereabout) per Arnott. Built way better as well.

Here is their site.... ARNOTT INDUSTRIES
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2011 | 12:11 AM
  #7  
locogringo's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 41
Likes: 7
From: Southern California
a little bit of this... a little bit of that
Here is the actual section for the CLS...

http://www.arnottindustries.com/part...18_pid129.html
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2011 | 12:00 PM
  #8  
kevtran's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
CLS 550
So I found out it's the compressor that is not functioning. I can force feed air to each of my shocks, but the compressor does not turn on with the STAR system. I'll check out Arnott.

If anyone lives in Washington, I found a great mechanic that has the STAR system that will scan for $55 and lets you see everything he's doing.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

10 Coolest Mercedes-Benz Wagons of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

 
story-5

7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 7, 2011 | 08:54 PM
  #9  
mez1976's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Kirkland, Washington
cls550
Hope that things work out. i live in Kirkland, who's your mechanic?
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2011 | 02:41 AM
  #10  
kevtran's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
CLS 550
His name is Andrew, from Spanaway. He does everything out of his garage, but has all the tools, lift, and STAR system. He diagnosed and replaced my compressor for a few hundred. This would have been $2000 at the stealership. The best part about his work is that he only works on Benz and he allows you to watch and even help out. He went through the STAR system with me and asked if I wanted to tweak anything. Not your typically mechanic. PM me if you want his contact info.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:28 AM.

story-0
10 Coolest Mercedes-Benz Wagons of All Time

Slideshow: These estates prove you don't need extra ride height to have performance, style, and everyday usability.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-23 14:16:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
New Mercedes-AMG SUVs Arrive With NEW V8 Engine: 12 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's updated GLE 63 S and GLS 63 bring a new-generation V8, subtle design revisions, and familiar supercar-rivaling performance figures.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-17 12:52:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production

Slideshow: Mercedes has never been afraid to experiment, and some of its strangest ideas turned out to be surprisingly successful.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look

Sideshow: A Middle Eastern tuner has transformed the Mercedes-AMG G 63 into an open-top special, replacing nearly every exterior panel in the process.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 15:29:50


VIEW MORE
story-4
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish

Slideshow: Six gift ideas your AMG loving dad or grad will cherish.

By | 2026-06-03 17:26:18


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built

Slideshow: Sometimes AMG builds fast sedans. Other times, it builds twin-turbo V12 land missiles and six-wheeled off-road monsters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 17:59:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE