airmatic shocks- a dark side?
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airmatic shocks- a dark side?
I'm looking to get some feedback from e550 owners . I have owned my e550 since late December so my sample period is pretty short. If you are members who have recently been on the forum, you probably also were reading the thread regarding 18 inch rims and blowout issues. I had a right double blowout after hitting a pothole three weeks ago. What I'm wondering is if I might have defective air spring/shocks. I say this because I have noticed that whenever I hit even a moderate pothole, my shocks seem to bottom out, almost like there is not enough travel or give to the suspension. It seems to ride fine on good or moderately rough roads but boy, when you hit a hole, it sounds like a gunshot and as if there is no suspension. And I now have 17 inch rims on the car that I bought for the winter. Is this just the way airmatic suspension are, the downside of not having a more compliant shock/spring arrangement? What do you think. Thanks. Ned.
#2
Only once have I felt like my suspension bottomed out: that's when I went too fast through a double-dip intersection. I use the sports setting all the time, and do not notice anything unusual about the suspension when hitting potholes, bumps, etc. Except for hitting a bump while turning: then for a moment the car feels uncertain (this was also noted by Car and Driver). Certainly no gunshots!
#4
I have an E350 so I can't directly answer your question, however, I have experienced the same "gunshot" sound you describe when hitting a pothole so it's not unique to the airmatic. Scared me the first time I heard it - like a drive-by in the burbs.
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E550 4MATIC
I'm looking to get some feedback from e550 owners . I have owned my e550 since late December so my sample period is pretty short. If you are members who have recently been on the forum, you probably also were reading the thread regarding 18 inch rims and blowout issues. I had a right double blowout after hitting a pothole three weeks ago. What I'm wondering is if I might have defective air spring/shocks. I say this because I have noticed that whenever I hit even a moderate pothole, my shocks seem to bottom out, almost like there is not enough travel or give to the suspension. It seems to ride fine on good or moderately rough roads but boy, when you hit a hole, it sounds like a gunshot and as if there is no suspension. And I now have 17 inch rims on the car that I bought for the winter. Is this just the way airmatic suspension are, the downside of not having a more compliant shock/spring arrangement? What do you think. Thanks. Ned.
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There is an SDS protocol for testing full airmatic function. The dealer puts the car on SDS while on the alignment rack, and uses a Romess and will calibrate height, check level sensor, etc.. You might want to do this to give yourself peace of mind that all is okay.
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I had a S211 with airmatic and I loved it. The problem is that 18 inch wheels and tires are more susceptible to damage from potholes. If you see potholes in time try to avoid them or slow down if you can.
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Is that a test that your average dealership should know how to do or do they need the Grand Pupah from MBUSA tech central. Thanks. Ned.
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Any decent dealer will have their techs trained to do the tests. I have both the Job Aid file and the Skill Module (for training) if you want them (in .pdf form.) But just ask your SA to be sure to have the tech do the whole test protocol (on the alignment rack and with SDS) and you should be good. If he gives you a funny look, then try another dealer.
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Any decent dealer will have their techs trained to do the tests. I have both the Job Aid file and the Skill Module (for training) if you want them (in .pdf form.) But just ask your SA to be sure to have the tech do the whole test protocol (on the alignment rack and with SDS) and you should be good. If he gives you a funny look, then try another dealer.
#12
Ned:
I've posted before so we're singin' to the choir here, but I think the airmatic does not "give" like a normal spring/shock suspension. That is why the tires, and rim, must absorb all of the energy created by hitting the pothole. I don't think the airmatic system is being damaged, so my guess is that the tests will reveal your system to be fine. The problem is one of physics. Something must absorb that force, and in our case, I believe the tires are not up to it. If you have the test on your airmatic function, I would be very interested in the result.
By the way, when you first get in the car, and open the doors, does the system, or something, kind of whistle or ring a bit? It's darn mysterious but I have this whistleing going on, not to mention the "farts" my airmatic system makes from time to time. Larry.
I've posted before so we're singin' to the choir here, but I think the airmatic does not "give" like a normal spring/shock suspension. That is why the tires, and rim, must absorb all of the energy created by hitting the pothole. I don't think the airmatic system is being damaged, so my guess is that the tests will reveal your system to be fine. The problem is one of physics. Something must absorb that force, and in our case, I believe the tires are not up to it. If you have the test on your airmatic function, I would be very interested in the result.
By the way, when you first get in the car, and open the doors, does the system, or something, kind of whistle or ring a bit? It's darn mysterious but I have this whistleing going on, not to mention the "farts" my airmatic system makes from time to time. Larry.
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Ned:
I've posted before so we're singin' to the choir here, but I think the airmatic does not "give" like a normal spring/shock suspension. That is why the tires, and rim, must absorb all of the energy created by hitting the pothole. I don't think the airmatic system is being damaged, so my guess is that the tests will reveal your system to be fine. The problem is one of physics. Something must absorb that force, and in our case, I believe the tires are not up to it. If you have the test on your airmatic function, I would be very interested in the result.
By the way, when you first get in the car, and open the doors, does the system, or something, kind of whistle or ring a bit? It's darn mysterious but I have this whistleing going on, not to mention the "farts" my airmatic system makes from time to time. Larry.
I've posted before so we're singin' to the choir here, but I think the airmatic does not "give" like a normal spring/shock suspension. That is why the tires, and rim, must absorb all of the energy created by hitting the pothole. I don't think the airmatic system is being damaged, so my guess is that the tests will reveal your system to be fine. The problem is one of physics. Something must absorb that force, and in our case, I believe the tires are not up to it. If you have the test on your airmatic function, I would be very interested in the result.
By the way, when you first get in the car, and open the doors, does the system, or something, kind of whistle or ring a bit? It's darn mysterious but I have this whistleing going on, not to mention the "farts" my airmatic system makes from time to time. Larry.
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Any decent dealer will have their techs trained to do the tests. I have both the Job Aid file and the Skill Module (for training) if you want them (in .pdf form.) But just ask your SA to be sure to have the tech do the whole test protocol (on the alignment rack and with SDS) and you should be good. If he gives you a funny look, then try another dealer.
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2011 E550 Sport (traded), 2012 SLK 350; 2013 GL450 on order for OCT delivery
I find all of the issues/concerns voiced about the MB airmatic system to be baffling. Airmatic is not high tech. Similar systems have been on cars for many years. My previous Cadillacs going back to the early 90's had air suspensions and were trouble free. My son's Chevrolet SUV has it and is approaching 100k miles trouble free. To me, without airmatic an E class ride is unacceptable.
For those of you with airmatic issues I wish you a speedy and lasting solution. To MB my thought is -- get your act together.
As to problems with tire failures, it appears most are with Continentals. My car has Continentals. I would never purchase a Continental tire. I think they are overpriced and provide lousy tread wear. The OEM tires on my 2005 CLK500 Cabriolet were replaced after about 15K miles. The ones on my 2008 S550 almost made it to 20K. Michelins on my Cadillacs made it to 40K miles and still had acceptable tread remaining.
For those of you with airmatic issues I wish you a speedy and lasting solution. To MB my thought is -- get your act together.
As to problems with tire failures, it appears most are with Continentals. My car has Continentals. I would never purchase a Continental tire. I think they are overpriced and provide lousy tread wear. The OEM tires on my 2005 CLK500 Cabriolet were replaced after about 15K miles. The ones on my 2008 S550 almost made it to 20K. Michelins on my Cadillacs made it to 40K miles and still had acceptable tread remaining.
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Only once have I felt like my suspension bottomed out: that's when I went too fast through a double-dip intersection. I use the sports setting all the time, and do not notice anything unusual about the suspension when hitting potholes, bumps, etc. Except for hitting a bump while turning: then for a moment the car feels uncertain (this was also noted by Car and Driver). Certainly no gunshots!
I put the car is "Raised Mode" when I went over the area again and no problem.
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I'm already seeing a shrink but I still have airmatic issues, either real ones or imaginary. Thanks. Ned.
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Do you know if it is most likely that a dashboard warning light would go on if there was a problem with the airshocks? In other words, is it highly unlikely that there is an issue if a warning light hasn't come on. Or are the airshocks one of those systems that can have a problem with no warning indicator? Thanks. Ned.
The dealer will check it out under warranty. Don't mention hitting potholes but just tell them you're getting strange sounds, level doesn't look right to you, etc.. Then they'll check it out per the protocol I mentioned. So it's just your time spent and effort to get it to the dealer. Otherwise forget it and just drive it.
imho, new car ownership always means listening for every noise and oddity, real or imagined. As long as it's not an obvious bad sound or some other sort of real anomaly, and one is keeping the car well maintained, then paying attention to all these things sometimes only works to create neurosis. After my first six months of ownership I quit paying such close attention and just drove and enjoyed the car. It's still running flawlessly. And so am I.
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There can be issues and no cluster warning. e.g., slow leaks, bad pump, etc..
The dealer will check it out under warranty. Don't mention hitting potholes but just tell them you're getting strange sounds, level doesn't look right to you, etc.. Then they'll check it out per the protocol I mentioned. So it's just your time spent and effort to get it to the dealer. Otherwise forget it and just drive it.
imho, new car ownership always means listening for every noise and oddity, real or imagined. As long as it's not an obvious bad sound or some other sort of real anomaly, and one is keeping the car well maintained, then paying attention to all these things sometimes only works to create neurosis. After my first six months of ownership I quit paying such close attention and just drove and enjoyed the car. It's still running flawlessly. And so am I.![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
The dealer will check it out under warranty. Don't mention hitting potholes but just tell them you're getting strange sounds, level doesn't look right to you, etc.. Then they'll check it out per the protocol I mentioned. So it's just your time spent and effort to get it to the dealer. Otherwise forget it and just drive it.
imho, new car ownership always means listening for every noise and oddity, real or imagined. As long as it's not an obvious bad sound or some other sort of real anomaly, and one is keeping the car well maintained, then paying attention to all these things sometimes only works to create neurosis. After my first six months of ownership I quit paying such close attention and just drove and enjoyed the car. It's still running flawlessly. And so am I.
![thumbs](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif)
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You are absolutely right about being hypersensitive to things in a new car you just paid $65,000 for. It may be that there is just less travel in the airshocks relative to a standard shock setup. The airshocks are new to me and I don't know what to make of the fact that they seem to bottom out with a slam when you hit even a moderate pothole. Otherwise the ride seems fine. But I must say that the issue has made me a little paranoid, especially given the condition of the roads in the NY metro area. Regards. Ned.
BTW Mercedes doesn't care that you get a pothole in 1st week of ownership as road hazards are owner's fault and not covered under Manufacturer's warranty because it must be the stupid driver that ran into the pothole than the car itself.
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You are absolutely right about being hypersensitive to things in a new car you just paid $65,000 for. It may be that there is just less travel in the airshocks relative to a standard shock setup. The airshocks are new to me and I don't know what to make of the fact that they seem to bottom out with a slam when you hit even a moderate pothole. Otherwise the ride seems fine. But I must say that the issue has made me a little paranoid, especially given the condition of the roads in the NY metro area. Regards. Ned.
But I've never experienced any "bottoming out with a slam" in my car. It's the opposite for me. The car takes any road imperfections with ease. It's the first thing people mention when they're in the car. My BMW is absurdly noisy in comparison. The P-car actually takes the bumps really well but is super stiff and rather than making any 'slamming' compression noises, it just slams and compresses your vertebrae instead.
So while my other cars probably aren't a good comparison either, all I can say is that the Airmatic doesn't make 'sounds' or feel like it's bottoming out. But I also have the AMG tuned Airmatic, so again maybe not a great comparison.
If I were you, I'd drop it off at the dealer and be purposely ambiguous and just tell them it's "making noise." They'll check it out and you'll sleep better.
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No two potholes are alike (depth, size, shape, road material) so I can't offer you any true comparison. And I rarely have hit any potholes of any significance since I'm fortunate to now live where they're relatively rare.
But I've never experienced any "bottoming out with a slam" in my car. It's the opposite for me. The car takes any road imperfections with ease. It's the first thing people mention when they're in the car. My BMW is absurdly noisy in comparison. The P-car actually takes the bumps really well but is super stiff and rather than making any 'slamming' compression noises, it just slams and compresses your vertebrae instead.
So while my other cars probably aren't a good comparison either, all I can say is that the Airmatic doesn't make 'sounds' or feel like it's bottoming out. But I also have the AMG tuned Airmatic, so again maybe not a great comparison.
If I were you, I'd drop it off at the dealer and be purposely ambiguous and just tell them it's "making noise." They'll check it out and you'll sleep better.
But I've never experienced any "bottoming out with a slam" in my car. It's the opposite for me. The car takes any road imperfections with ease. It's the first thing people mention when they're in the car. My BMW is absurdly noisy in comparison. The P-car actually takes the bumps really well but is super stiff and rather than making any 'slamming' compression noises, it just slams and compresses your vertebrae instead.
So while my other cars probably aren't a good comparison either, all I can say is that the Airmatic doesn't make 'sounds' or feel like it's bottoming out. But I also have the AMG tuned Airmatic, so again maybe not a great comparison.
If I were you, I'd drop it off at the dealer and be purposely ambiguous and just tell them it's "making noise." They'll check it out and you'll sleep better.
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I just came out of a SLK 350 that car seemed to take potholes better than my new E550. First week of ownership with my 550 I had a blowout with less than 100 miles on the odometer. The pothole was nothing compared to what I've hit in my SLK350, which evidently never resulted in a blow out. The airmatic suspension definitely doesn't travel as much since moderate potholes seem to penetrate the cabin more noticeably than a moderate pothole with my SLK350. Food for thought.
BTW Mercedes doesn't care that you get a pothole in 1st week of ownership as road hazards are owner's fault and not covered under Manufacturer's warranty because it must be the stupid driver that ran into the pothole than the car itself.![smash](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smashfreak.gif)
BTW Mercedes doesn't care that you get a pothole in 1st week of ownership as road hazards are owner's fault and not covered under Manufacturer's warranty because it must be the stupid driver that ran into the pothole than the car itself.
![smash](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smashfreak.gif)