So I bought the E500. I did a lot of research and could not find any history of the rear bags being replaced, when I inspected the car they looked old so I just planned on negotiating the price down based on that fact, which I did $500.00. 6 days later the right rear is down, (lol) not bottomed out and no error messages but Im gonna nip this in the bud since I planned on these failing anyway.
Here's the question, on my quest to find the best deal I came across some knock off bags on EBAY for 325.00 for the pair, The Arnotts are like around $500.00 . Has anyone tried the knock offs or does anyone have a secret discount site for the Arnotts or similar...I really don't care what brand they are.
Yes I plan on checking hoses and the other stuff but Im pretty sure the bags are tired.
The Chinese fleabay airbags have a bad reputation. If cost is an issue switch to coil springs. Plenty of used E320/E350 coil springs available on fleabay.
The Arnotts have a lifetime warranty. If you search the forums maybe you'll find the Arnott guy, they used to offer 10% off once in a while. I'd get the Arnotts.
UPDATE!!
Finally had time to pull the car in the garage and investigate further. Pulled the tire grabbed some soapy water and sprayed down the air shock and components like it was in flash dance. Didnt really see much but I did see some very tiny bubbles around the air hose fitting to the bag so I kind of pushed on the hose and it felt like it went in a tiny bit. Put it all back together and this morning it had not dropped so maybe I dodged a bullet?
I'll keep and eye on it and see.
What i did see was the rear axle boots look like crap so anyone reading this feel free to educate me on that subject! I will probably start another thread on that issue in the near future.
Eventually both the front and rear air spring will go out. Arnotts are definitely the way to go. Also don't forget the rear shock absorber. These do wear out over time (usually a damp or wet oil spot on the shock) and will cause a clunk noise coming from the back. I would recommend the OEM Bilstein shock absorbers and not go with cheap aftermarket.
What year and mileage is the E500? Between 2003-2005? Suspension-wise, there will be more things that will need attention in your future.
Eventually both the front and rear air spring will go out. Arnotts are definitely the way to go. Also don't forget the rear shock absorber. These do wear out over time (usually a damp or wet oil spot on the shock) and will cause a clunk noise coming from the back. I would recommend the OEM Bilstein shock absorbers and not go with cheap aftermarket.
What year and mileage is the E500? Between 2003-2005? Suspension-wise, there will be more things that will need attention in your future.
Yea I spoke too soon the right rear is dropping again. I just ordered the Arnotts and will put them in this weekend.
The car has 115k. The front end and front shocks have already been done so hopefully I will be good for 50k? We shall see.
When you can expect need for bags replacement at about 10 years mark, there is nothing with proper troubleshooting what exactly is wrong.
Those days MB-oriented scanners run in $150 range, so it is not big expense comparing to dropping the parts who might not need replacement.
Did 2 scans before I bought the car, one when I first inspected it and one after driving it and letting it run for about an hour. Nothing at that time. Its getting new rear bags.
We'll they say injury to insult I know the pain of air strut going out! My passenger side went "pop"! Stop to check out everything seemed fine for the next two days, then it happen!! The strut was just inches from wheel, and got the dreaded " car is to low" I freaked out lol.
Read a couple threads and boobtube(You tube)
Soecial Thanks to Dan always on time! Ren Sam who had the 4matic just as mine, the other videos were similar but it was what needed. All in all once I took the strut off, and contracted out, and got it back it, and road test yesterday it was working fabulous!
It took two and a half weeks, due to travel and weather. It was by far (time wise) the most easties of my DYIs, now I wouldn't wish that on my enemies to do only because you have to have the right tools, but overall I enjoyed it!
The Stealership wanted 2000 P/L, and my indy wanted 1700 P/L! Not out of my pockets!
When you have a great group of people whom are willing to assist it makes the process priceless!
R
2MERKS
Ok I was going to make a new post for this issue, I have the same rear left airbag issue, it eventually stopped holding air from the control arm rubbing on it, and after looking for many hours I found the arnott A-2725 I will link a picture of it. When my mechanic friend that works on primarily mercedes cars and does good work for me great friend, he took out the rear airmatic bag from my 2006 CLS55 AMG it is the one with the resovoir and plastic hosing I will link a picture of the original one that came out of the car compared to the new one I got from arnott. He claimed and said that the new one from arnott wouldnt fit because its very different and doesnt have the black hose to the resovoir part. Please help me, I still have the new arnotts but am about to buy some ****ty chinese bag that looks like the original. I saw a vid showing the mechanic removing the same old one from an e55 and putting in the new arnott without the resovoir but I am not sure.
Original rear air bag removed from my car:
New Arnott A-2725 Rear air bag:
Ok I was going to make a new post for this issue, I have the same rear left airbag issue, it eventually stopped holding air from the control arm rubbing on it, and after looking for many hours I found the arnott A-2725 I will link a picture of it. When my mechanic friend that works on primarily mercedes cars and does good work for me great friend, he took out the rear airmatic bag from my 2006 CLS55 AMG it is the one with the resovoir and plastic hosing I will link a picture of the original one that came out of the car compared to the new one I got from arnott. He claimed and said that the new one from arnott wouldnt fit because its very different and doesnt have the black hose to the resovoir part. Please help me, I still have the new arnotts but am about to buy some ****ty chinese bag that looks like the original. I saw a vid showing the mechanic removing the same old one from an e55 and putting in the new arnott without the resovoir but I am not sure.
Original rear air bag removed from my car:
New Arnott A-2725 Rear air bag:
Not really sure I could trust your mechanic. You may want to reconsider also.
