E500 Air suspension failure - expensive?
#51
I might need your guy?
Are you in the New York area? If so I have a good Indy I would use for this, who is honest and is used to pulling the whole undercarriage to get the rear bag out when it is required. Look at the Arnott video of how to replace the rear bag on the E350. The MB part is two pieces, joined by a hose that runs through the undercarriage so you have to remove the whole undercarriage to get the part out. The Arnott is one piece, so you take the whole car apart to get the old MB part out, then you put it back together, and just before you put the wheel on, you install the Arnott. Holy crap. The next time (which hopefully there won't be), all you do is pull off the wheel and replace the Arnott with another Arnott. I myself wish that I knew about Arnott 5 years ago when I had to replace the rear bag. Did it at the dealer with the MB part. I have since become smarter.
The front strut from Arnott is just a well-remanufactured Bilstein OE one, so for the price it's a no-brainer. The rear one, as mentioned above, is Arnott's own sensible design, which is what Bilstein should have designed in the first place.
The front strut from Arnott is just a well-remanufactured Bilstein OE one, so for the price it's a no-brainer. The rear one, as mentioned above, is Arnott's own sensible design, which is what Bilstein should have designed in the first place.
im looking to buy an e500 and live in the New York area. I previously had one before and well aware of the air bag issues. Would like to estimate how much I would have to set aside for a new air ride system. I would like to pick one up and have a guy ready to replace the whole system once I have an issue. I would like to use this as a daily driver and rather just fix the issue once. I saw one on the road the other day and could not get over how good the car looked. If I could solve this issue for a reasonable price and had a go to guy I would certainly pick up another one. Do you mind pointing me in the right direction?
#52
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 271
Likes: 17
From: NYC and LI
2004 Mercedes E500, 2008 Mercedes ML350
im looking to buy an e500 and live in the New York area. I previously had one before and well aware of the air bag issues. Would like to estimate how much I would have to set aside for a new air ride system. I would like to pick one up and have a guy ready to replace the whole system once I have an issue. I would like to use this as a daily driver and rather just fix the issue once. I saw one on the road the other day and could not get over how good the car looked. If I could solve this issue for a reasonable price and had a go to guy I would certainly pick up another one. Do you mind pointing me in the right direction?
I would have him give your proposed car a good mechanical once-over; he'll tell you what it needs, and he won't sell you anything you don't need. For a year and 15,000 miles, people were telling me I need rear brakes, because they are "almost worn down"; Michael says no need to replace until the light comes on. Got me a whole year of extra usage without the expense.
These cars do occasionally do things that are surprising, but if you have a good mechanic, they aren't a huge deal. I completely love how these cars look, and I still love ours and don't want to part with it, so Michael makes that possible.
#53
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 271
Likes: 17
From: NYC and LI
2004 Mercedes E500, 2008 Mercedes ML350
Just FYI, I dropped by Cove Tire today to make an appointment (I was in the area) to have some routine stuff done, and Michael mentioned that he was looking to sell his 2004 E500 4matic airmatic. It's a creampuff with about 60K miles on it, and he obviously keeps it in excellent condition. It just pains him to drive it to the City as often as he does, with the horrible roads. I myself drive mine 5 days a week back and forth (which is why mine is at almost 160K), and I just fix and replace whatever needs it, which hasn't been that much, all things considered. With Michael doing it, it's affordable.
#54
I just replaced my e500 rear air springs with arnott ones too, but after replacing them the new springs won't inflate. I called Arnott but they said I had to go to a repair shop and get them to adjust the height with the DAS/STAR diagnostic tool.
Is there any way to fix this without going to the dealer?
Is there any way to fix this without going to the dealer?
#55
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 271
Likes: 17
From: NYC and LI
2004 Mercedes E500, 2008 Mercedes ML350
I just replaced my e500 rear air springs with arnott ones too, but after replacing them the new springs won't inflate. I called Arnott but they said I had to go to a repair shop and get them to adjust the height with the DAS/STAR diagnostic tool.
Is there any way to fix this without going to the dealer?
Is there any way to fix this without going to the dealer?