Airmatic Suspension - Same problems as in S-Class ?
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2007
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'04 Navigator, about to add a Mercedes
Airmatic Suspension - Same problems as in S-Class ?
I've been offered a spotless 2004 E500 (55k miles), but I'm worried a bit about the Airmatic suspension after having read up about a bit when looking at 2001-2002 S-Classes.
Is the airmatic suspension on the E plagued with the same problems as on the S ?
EDIT:
This is the car I'm looking at:
Is the airmatic suspension on the E plagued with the same problems as on the S ?
EDIT:
This is the car I'm looking at:
Last edited by sappete; Nov 4, 2007 at 05:59 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 293
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From: Austin, TX
'13 E550 W4
70K miles on mine. I bought it new with 4 miles on it. No airmatic problems at all, except for one time, I forgot to use it to raise the car when I was parked over a high curb, and when I backed out I scraped the underside of my front skirt. When I drove away, I thought, dang, I should have pushed that little button to raise the car to avoid the scrape...silly, silly me.
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
2003 E320 Sport
I had to replace one of the front air shocks at 45,000 miles at a cost of $600 for the shock and $300 for the labor. 2003 E320 Sport.
The car was just sitting there after a long road trip and blew like a balloon. The car had to be towed since it droped to the fender.
This is in combination with over $5,000 in out-of-pocket repairs this year alone. This car is a service and repair nightmare.
We love this car, but it sures tests you're love of the emblem.
The car was just sitting there after a long road trip and blew like a balloon. The car had to be towed since it droped to the fender.
This is in combination with over $5,000 in out-of-pocket repairs this year alone. This car is a service and repair nightmare.
We love this car, but it sures tests you're love of the emblem.
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Super Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 513
Likes: 2
From: San Diego, CA
2020 GLE350
Replaced front right shock at 45K miles, no problems since (10K miles ago), they are damn expensive if they do go bad. There seems to be a pattern from what I have read, most replacements are on 2003s so it could be either an early production problem, or once a certain time goes by, they break down. Any additional input will confirm/deny my suspicions/accusations.... 
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 450
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
2005 C55
I had to replace one of the front air shocks at 45,000 miles at a cost of $600 for the shock and $300 for the labor. 2003 E320 Sport.
The car was just sitting there after a long road trip and blew like a balloon. The car had to be towed since it droped to the fender.
This is in combination with over $5,000 in out-of-pocket repairs this year alone. This car is a service and repair nightmare.
We love this car, but it sures tests you're love of the emblem.
The car was just sitting there after a long road trip and blew like a balloon. The car had to be towed since it droped to the fender.
This is in combination with over $5,000 in out-of-pocket repairs this year alone. This car is a service and repair nightmare.
We love this car, but it sures tests you're love of the emblem.
I have an 03e500 with 50,000 with no problems so far.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,501
Likes: 336
From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
Replaced front right shock at 45K miles, no problems since (10K miles ago), they are damn expensive if they do go bad. There seems to be a pattern from what I have read, most replacements are on 2003s so it could be either an early production problem, or once a certain time goes by, they break down. Any additional input will confirm/deny my suspicions/accusations....
As a bonus, this simple protective part cannot be bought as an independent spare part, one must buy the whole air spring strut assembly.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 615
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From: South CA (LA, 818) & North CA (SJ, 408)
2003 E500
I have a 2003 and I drive quite a bit. I just hit 98,000 miles the other day and I haven't had any Airmatic problems yet. My car is also lowered substantially.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,501
Likes: 336
From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
I read you are from LA, perhaps the weather helps the rubber bellows survive longer. Is it an early or late 2003?
