Arnee

Does anyone know if there's a ride height difference between an E320 with airmatic and E500 both while parked and while at the freeway?

I've seen E500s on the freeway and it looks like their ride heights are lower than my E320 (w/ airmatic) on the freeway.....maybe it's just me?

IluvS500

well the cars do lower themselves when you go higher than 60 mph so either you werent going as fast or since you were in the car how could you tell that yours was not at the same height?

nyca

the larger wheel makes the 500 look lower because the wheel well gap is less. that's not to say it isn't lower, but there is also a visual effect going on.

E55AMG99

It (wheel well gap) must be an optical illusion because the tires are nearly identical in size.

320 with 225/55R16=25.75
500 with 245/45R17=25.68

Arnee

My car has the sport package, therefore my tire and wheels are the same as an E500.

As far as knowing how low my car looks, I've seen my car while it was being driven my by dad and while I was following it in my 540 on the freeway.

It didn't seem as low as an E500 sport that I've seen on the freeway.

Since we know that ride height is dynamic when in motion, how about when stopped/parked? Will the E500 sport be lower than an E320 sport?

bmw2mb

when you exit the hwy and come to a stop, can you see the car raising itself? if you stop fairly quick, you can see this. just wondering if you car lowers at high speeds. it should. also, if sport I or II is selected, i believe the car lowers even more at high speeds.

mbr129

All this talk of Airmatic makes me think of how expensive it is goign to be to repair and/or replace the shocks. Assuming of course, one keeps it for that long.

It sounds awesome, and I am sure it is, but I wonder if it is worth it upfront and in the future. I'll test drive them soon.

Arnee

I'll have to look out for that, after I exit the freeway.

Arnee

I have the same concerns...also with the SBC. A regular mechanic might not be able to simply change brake pads due to the SBC calibration.

mbr129

I don't see pad replacement being a problem. The electronics shouldn't occur at the wheels. There is probably just an electronic sensor that regulates the pressure apllied to the master cylinder. But it IS one more thing that can go wrong.

rusnakmb

Hi,

The ride heights for 320 and 500 are the same. Only the E500 has widder rim makes it look lower.

The accure data:

From 50 to 70 MPH the heigth -10mm

From 70MPH+, the ride height -15mm

Arnee

Interesting. Thanks. My 320 Sport looks exactly like a 500 sport with the same rims.

Those ride heights, are they independent on the Comfort, Sport I, or Sport II setting?

I never noticed the ride height on my 211 E55 cause the car always sat low.

jim256

SBC brake pad replacement will not likely be a run of the mill job by your neighborhood shop. Before doing any work you have to deactivate:

http://www.mbusalearning.com/w211ele...troduction.htm

And here's just the bleeding instructions; that requires that Star Diagnosis be hooked up.

http://www.mbusalearning.com/w211ele...rakes/pg37.htm

Arnee

That's what I was talking about. It should be fun once warranty runs out!! :-)

sf49ers79

Arnee your inbox is full so i can't send a pm to you..

Arnee

Gotcha. I cleaned it up. Thanks.

nyca

oh yeah, its a mess. pulling ALL the SBC fuses might work, or disconnecting both batteries. The system "pre-activates" simply by opening a door, its always on, so doing a brake pad change even with the car on a jack is a problem. Messy.