E500 air spring replacement advice
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 187
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Australia
'03 E500
E500 air spring replacement advice
Hi all,
I've picked myself up a cheap E500 (yes, I know I was asking for trouble!) and sure enough after a few trouble-free months, it blown a front left air spring! So, it (or both) need to be replaced.
First off, how can I tell if the ones currently in there are original/genuine? the lower concertina boot has almost disintegrated, which leads me to think they're chinese copies!
Being in Australia, I have the following options so far:
Genuine Bilsteins for $1300/side.
Arnotts for $1270/side
Chinese ebay ones by "maxpeedingrods" for $400/side
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fits-Mercedes-CLS-Class-W219-E-Class-W211-Front-Right-Suspension-Air-Strut-Shock/401311351653?fits=Make%3AMercedes-Benz&epid=12020611734&hash=item5d70054365:g:gdsAAO Sw5UZY-IQt:rk:45:pf:0
or
RMT "re-manufactured" ones around $575/side (including shipping from the US)
http://www.rebuildmastertech.com/mercedes-benz-e-class-w211-2003-2009-base-rwd-airmatic-front-left-right-oem-rebuild-suspension-air-spring-bag-struts-pair-2113205513-2113205413/
Obviously, Billies would be best, but considering the whole car only cost me $2000, I'm reluctant to spend $2600!
Is the RMT brand known to you guys? are they reputable?
Are there any other options I haven't though of?
thanks in advance,
Dave.
I've picked myself up a cheap E500 (yes, I know I was asking for trouble!) and sure enough after a few trouble-free months, it blown a front left air spring! So, it (or both) need to be replaced.
First off, how can I tell if the ones currently in there are original/genuine? the lower concertina boot has almost disintegrated, which leads me to think they're chinese copies!
Being in Australia, I have the following options so far:
Genuine Bilsteins for $1300/side.
Arnotts for $1270/side
Chinese ebay ones by "maxpeedingrods" for $400/side
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fits-Mercedes-CLS-Class-W219-E-Class-W211-Front-Right-Suspension-Air-Strut-Shock/401311351653?fits=Make%3AMercedes-Benz&epid=12020611734&hash=item5d70054365:g:gdsAAO Sw5UZY-IQt:rk:45:pf:0
or
RMT "re-manufactured" ones around $575/side (including shipping from the US)
http://www.rebuildmastertech.com/mercedes-benz-e-class-w211-2003-2009-base-rwd-airmatic-front-left-right-oem-rebuild-suspension-air-spring-bag-struts-pair-2113205513-2113205413/
Obviously, Billies would be best, but considering the whole car only cost me $2000, I'm reluctant to spend $2600!
Is the RMT brand known to you guys? are they reputable?
Are there any other options I haven't though of?
thanks in advance,
Dave.
Last edited by Davo81; Nov 30, 2018 at 02:53 AM. Reason: link added
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 545
Likes: 87
From: Southern California
Why not order the Arnotts from RockAuto.com? I priced it out and you can get front air springs replaced for under $1k usd, that is including shipping. Is there some import tax when it comes to Australia?
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 63
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati, ohio
03 mercedes e500 5.0 v8 04 honda accord 3.0 v6
When i replaced mine with coilovers. One was oem and the other was a newish arnott. If you want to keep airmatic, arnott is your cheap alternative. But remeber airmatic has several intrevials that will leave your car bottomed out like mine did. I did the coilovers for piece of mind. I NEVER have to worry about coming out and my car not rasing up. Body roll is completely gone and handles like a true luxury sports car should. And you said you bought e500 and made that sound like a bad thing... Other than air suspension the whole w211 m113 drivetrain is great and virtually no major issues besides recalls suspenion exhaust after awhile likes to fall apart. On my 2nd year 40k miles later and still smile everytime im in it and stomp the gas passing someone. It never gets old. Just makes you want more. Good luck. I will help in anyway i can. Make sure you diy to save thousands.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 297
From: South Florida
2010 E63 AMG, 2003 E500
+1 on keeping the airmatic system and going with Arnott replacements.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 187
Likes: 2
From: Melbourne, Australia
'03 E500
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
ClS550
E500 suspension conversion
When i replaced mine with coilovers. One was oem and the other was a newish arnott. If you want to keep airmatic, arnott is your cheap alternative. But remeber airmatic has several intrevials that will leave your car bottomed out like mine did. I did the coilovers for piece of mind. I NEVER have to worry about coming out and my car not rasing up. Body roll is completely gone and handles like a true luxury sports car should. And you said you bought e500 and made that sound like a bad thing... Other than air suspension the whole w211 m113 drivetrain is great and virtually no major issues besides recalls suspenion exhaust after awhile likes to fall apart. On my 2nd year 40k miles later and still smile everytime im in it and stomp the gas passing someone. It never gets old. Just makes you want more. Good luck. I will help in anyway i can. Make sure you diy to save thousands.
