jahquan3

I thought you had the fronts repaired under warranty previously? Doesn't that make them responsible to repair them again for free if they go within a set amount of time after the initial fix was done?

jonUF02

As a used buyer, I'm glad that I avoided these options. Nothing that I will ever miss having, the springs work just fine, and I'll convert the standard headlights with Morimoto HID kit.

Airmousam

Will it ever end, I suspect not!

KEY08

^ LOL

The G Man

Give it a rest Jon, we all know your stripped down used E550 is the crème de la crème, at least in your own opinion. My god, I have seen advance Alzheimer's patients that repeats himself less than you do.

jonUF02

Don't like it, DONT READ IT AND MOVE ON!

Maybe you're just butt-hurt that you have the crappy systems. Clearly here is ANOTHER "repetative" thread that Airmatic sucks and always has problems.

I guess you're the same a-holes that just reply with "use search dumbass" every time someone asks a question because it's been said before.

The G Man

Calm down my friend, no need to get your panties all twisted up. How can I not read it when you flood this site with posts on how smart you are for buying a no option used E550. All we ask is for you to give us a break with your self righteousness comments.

Airmousam

Butt hurt, hardly! You drove one airmatic E and see a few threads on airmatic issues and think you're an instant expert. My dad has airmatic in his E, 100K miles no issues! Think he's gonna hop on here and start a thread on how happy is with the system? Of course not....Guess what there are many more like him (and I) who have not had an issue....and yes some do.....these are complex German cars. chit happens.... They're all good cars man, even the stripped ones....just give it a rest and enjoy you car...we've heard you!

jahquan3

LMAO..When I saw this thread bumped up I was like Uh Oh Jon seen it and posted on it. I was surprised it was someone who earlier got a fix under warranty. I've already put about 10k in miles on my car or more and Airmatic so far hasn't given me a problem yet.

BMWtoAMG

Mine was bought at 40K almost two years ago and now has 60.

Tonight after parking in the garage I heard an odd gurgling coming from the rear passenger wheel well. Recently noticed the pump was working a little more than usual. Pulled the wheel off and it is coming from the bottom of the airmatic bellows. Attached a picture--blow it up and you see the moisture at what looks like a sealing area.

Appreciate learning that this is usually worse in the cold, it fits what I've been experiencing. I'm going to try a third party shop, am sick of MB dealerships evading known issues like this and brake judder. This is my first Mercedes and disappointed at the issues given the sticker price, but not ready to give up on the brand yet.

Over Christmas I drove a 2016 E350 for a few days and noticed the handling was much tighter, more like the wife's 5 series. The straight six was better than expected, but I bought the 550 because of the W273 engine and wanted to try all wheel drive.

Thank God for extended warranties; figured this one might pay for itself, and think I'll be right.

jahquan3

I've read somewhere that replacing the bellows is a less expensive issue then other components in the airmatic. Some people even say to replace them preemptively to prevent compressor or pump from going. I've noticed since it's turned cold that my car will sit a little lower then it did during the winter but so far no noticeable issues have arose. I'm due for an oil change and brake pads to be changed. So I'll have my shop take a look at it while they are working on pads.

BMWtoAMG

I have a low rider in the garage this morning. Reminds me of the shuttle SRB O rings that failed in low temperatures on the ground. Does not compute given our cars are manufactured in a country where IT'S COLD.


Just ordered a pair of Arnotts for the rear, might as well do both. The AMG guys say these do not have leak issues, and don't seem expensive at $250/each.


Arnott's instructions look straightforward; take the wheel off, then disconnect/remove/replace. Warranty will replace with OEM, and we know how well that works with the cross drilled rotors. I'll take peace of mind in exchange for five bills and a few hours wrenching.

KEY08

Good luck and let us know how big a project this was for you. Hopefully, all will go smoothly and you will be back to normal.

BMWtoAMG

Will do. For anyone interested, this is the install doc specific to our W212, downloaded from Arnott's web site.

KEY08

Looks easy enough. Probably disconnect the battery since the pump may run at will.

The G Man

That's a good price, how is the quality? The instruction almost looks too easy. So what is the issue with cross drilled rotors and the oem bellows?

onelightmind

Just get Arnott....from Arnott DIRECT!! They will register the warranty for you as a customer. They are cheap and great. You want a nice ride go air, you want an excellent ride buy better MB and get ABC, you want crap convert to springs and brag about it lol. Yes it's an issue but sure feels nice to drive...I have replaced all 4 on my e500 (191k miles) and they are awesome...had a leak on one & Arnott replaced for free a few yrs later... just bought this w212 with a sometimes sag in rear....guess what...$500 for two rear air springs. Yes it is a pain. Sry guys it is what it is...Is there something else that could cause a rear sag? on "comfort" it sags sometimes in the AM but on "sport" its always an issue. All help is appreciated...

KEY08

The rear sag is either a minor leak in the system or one of the air springs leaking. My bet is the air spring has a leak. $500 to replace both as a DIY is not a big deal.

jonUF02

WOW, that looks soooo much easier than the info I looked up on W211. On the older models, you have to drop the exhaust and the whole rear axle!! Definitely not something I would ever want to tackle, and I consider myself a pretty advanced DIY guy.

jonUF02

I saw a write-up on lowering the car using the dealer computers only. With that computer, you can set baseline height, or maybe even the height specs of each corner in each mode. Sounds like maybe you need someone with the computer and experience to give the system a good calibration.

jonUF02

I've said before that the sport spring setup feels more responsive than Airmatic, even on sport setting, but nobody wants to hear that.

RNBRAD

Oh no kidding!!!! I did the same thing to see if I wanted to tackle it, I was like OMG no flipping way!! I'm definitely a savy DIY guy too. Those instructions look simple though for the 212. So has anyone done it yet? I've had both rears replaced and I have 13k miles on my car, so it's rarely driven. So it's not a wear issue though it may exacerbate the issue. My 1st one was replaced within the 1st yr of purchase.

KEY08

We shall wait for BMWtoAMG to chime in after he does the install.

Arrie

Yeah, but I had the sports setup on my 2011 E350 sports and the current 2010 E550 with Airmatic is more responsive (stiff, harder) in Sports setting.


The E350 sports springs is somewhere between the Airmatic Sports and Comfort settings.

Airmousam

Arrie, I've owned both and clocked about 70k between the 2 and that's a very good description!

Jon, If I recall, you drove one airmatic on a test drive. Not nearly enough seat time to make any sort of an accurate assessment....esp on one car with an unknown history.....and yes I'm aware airmatics are prone to having issues...