For those with airmatic on the W212
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 115
Likes: 3
E550 2010
For those with airmatic on the W212
I just got my E550 back after 4 months in a body shop due to a rear bumper collision. Talk about a painful experience.
The car drives like new but I've noticed an occasional humming noise from the rear.
I believe it is the airmatic compressor. Its subtle and I can only hear it on quite roads while I am driving less than 20mph.
Questions for others with airmatic:
1) Does anyone hear their compressor in their new E
2) How often does the compressor normally run.
I had the car preaccidnet for only a week and I don't quite remember hearing it before.
I've noted it once or twice during the beginning of a drive or at times when I raise the car.
The car drives like new but I've noticed an occasional humming noise from the rear.
I believe it is the airmatic compressor. Its subtle and I can only hear it on quite roads while I am driving less than 20mph.
Questions for others with airmatic:
1) Does anyone hear their compressor in their new E
2) How often does the compressor normally run.
I had the car preaccidnet for only a week and I don't quite remember hearing it before.
I've noted it once or twice during the beginning of a drive or at times when I raise the car.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
2010 E550 Sedan
The air compressor comes on for a second or two when I start the car, or open the door. Other than that, I have not heard any noise from it while driving. I have noticed, however, that even when the car is parked/locked, the air compressor comes on every few minutes (initially after parking) and every few hours (after being parked for a long time) to fill-up the air pockets/shocks. I am "assuming" this behavior is normal.
However, please note that in the 4300 miles I have put on the car, only once did the right rear suspension crash (the air came out completely, after being parked at the airport for 3 nights), the air filled-up in a couple of seconds of turning the ignition on, and it has not happened since.
However, please note that in the 4300 miles I have put on the car, only once did the right rear suspension crash (the air came out completely, after being parked at the airport for 3 nights), the air filled-up in a couple of seconds of turning the ignition on, and it has not happened since.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 5
From: New Jersey
E550 4MATIC
I don't have a W212 (yet) however I can say that on my W211 with Airmatic I do hear it sometimes when driving if I have the radio off. The one thing I noticed about the W212 Airmatic vs. the W211 is that after you turn off the car and get out, the air seems to rush out quickly and you hear a whoosh. On the W211 the car settles a little more slowly and you hear a hissing sound for about 10-15 seconds while the car lowers.
Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
From: Montreal, Canada
'10 ML550, 996 G T 3
I just noticed a bit of a whirring sound at that back at the car at slow speeds after one month of ownership. I will need to become more acquainted with it in order to give you a proper reference.
As for release of air after parking... sometimes I get a long hissing sound (10 seconds) and other time I get one big fat "PFFT"! I have not yet heard the compressor run after getting out (unloading the car).
As for release of air after parking... sometimes I get a long hissing sound (10 seconds) and other time I get one big fat "PFFT"! I have not yet heard the compressor run after getting out (unloading the car).
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 91
Likes: 1
2010 E550
The air compressor comes on for a second or two when I start the car, or open the door. Other than that, I have not heard any noise from it while driving. I have noticed, however, that even when the car is parked/locked, the air compressor comes on every few minutes (initially after parking) and every few hours (after being parked for a long time) to fill-up the air pockets/shocks. I am "assuming" this behavior is normal.
FYI: Only 3 months and 4K miles worth of review here.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 473
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, New York
2019 GLA 250 - I am in purgatory right now...
Open the trunk and have someone else start the car or switch it from Comfort to Sport mode and back. See if you can hear the compressor run and confirm if that is your noise. show it to your dealer and ask them to fix it. I believe the resivioir is on the Drivers side rear in the trunk. I assume the compressor is around there too.
Kind regards,
Rick
Kind regards,
Rick
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 15,901
Likes: 4,630
From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
2 compressor
3 air spring
N51/3 Airmatic control unit
048597 “may” apply even though vehicle level has not dropped or warning not received (yet) https://mbworld.org/forums/3917691-post8.html
