jahquan3

A couple days ago my car slammed down on the driver side both front and rear. To busy to attempt to DIY it so dropped it off at the dealer. No rubbing so I drove it about 40 miles to the dealer. Expecting the worst so contemplating removing the system expecting the passenger side may do the same eventually.

I'm comfortable with 1500 but anymore I'd prefer to remove it all together or even possibly trade it in. Does anyone have a guesstimate on how much it would be to remove it all together?

jahquan3

thefisch

Someone I work with told me they paid about $1,000 IIRC to coilover an S class. They had the work in another state before they moved to FL. So I don't have many details. Sorry.

That stinks. I am counting down the 2 years 8 months I have left on my extended warranty.

davidjohnbamber

Arnott has a conversion kit IIRC.

thefisch

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...sion-done.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...t-options.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...onversion.html

Probably need to research in forums for older models.

jahquan3

Thx. I'll take a look now. Haven't heard back from dealer yet with diagnosis. So in the meantime I'll game plan a little.

ahmadk

I don't think it would cost too much.
I bet you can find a used set of struts/springs from the E350 and then swap them into yours. The only thing I can think of is coding out the airmatic so you don't get a warning on the dash

belarus27

Doubt 350s suspension was designed to be used on 550s. Since its a heavier engine , i think it would not be a good idea... coil overs probably be the only way.

Watever OP does... please keep us posted , thats interesting to find out.

jahquan3

Update:
I got the diagnosis this morning. Left front strut has to be replaced $1495 plus $150 to diagnose. This includes labor so almost $1700 in total. I opted to just get it replaced at dealer. They also said I should replace a stabilizer for an additional $300 but I declined. My SA says they have to order the part so it should be done by the end of the week.

thefisch

No issue with rear on the left side since that was dropping too?

$1,700?! 2 years, 7 months and 3 weeks left on ELW...

jahquan3

Same thing I thought but I just confirmed that was all I needed to get it back riding quote on quote normally and he confirmed yes. I'm very concerned about spending that amount again in the near future. I'm also going to replace the stabilizer shortly if I plan to keep this E thru winter. River boat gambling lol.

Peter_02AMG

I replaced my W211 E63 airmatic system with KW coilovers, cost about $3000 for parts and labor. Sold my airmatic parts on ebay for about $500. Wish I never did the conversion. Waste of money waste of time, ride like *****!

jahquan3

I spoke with an in law who converted his S430 plus moved up to 20s. He says he regrets it also and might revert back soon. He has several cars so he's in no rush but if it was his DD he said he'd do it asap lol.

Peter_02AMG

Arnott make replacement parts for airmatic system very affordable and life time warranty. Keep your airmatic system if this is your DD.

GuestFromTampa

They don`t make front struts for W212
However these guys http://www.rebuildmastertech.com can rebuild yours for $495.

belarus27

Yep , arnott got rear ones only , they dont have front ones , atleast yet.

And yes rebuildmastertech is the way to go(heard quality is okay) OR buy used ones off ebay or carpart.

Arrie

The car body is supposed to be very stiff so if you loose air in one air spring the car must go down somewhere else too. If it didn't it would mean the corner of the car with the bad spring would be flexing down separate from the rest of the car and that would be a very serious issue with the car.

But it it is strange that both front and rear go down on the same side if only the front one is bad. What should really happen is the other front also go down slightly and the opposing rear corner raise up when the bad front corner goes down.

jonUF02

I'm guessing it would be a straight swap of 2012+ E550 suspension components. You would definitely have to get the system removed from the computer program. The lack of troublesome airmatic was one of my deciding factors that I needed a 2012+ model, along with the more powerful biturbo engine and standard 4matic.

Your car is pretty well used I believe, maybe time for a replacement?

jahquan3

Yes, I'm at roughly 134,000 miles. I would be quite a bit past that if not for my car being in the shop for a month and some change this year so far. I love the car and spot a reasonable amount for maintenance etc each year but as it ages I'm concerned with over spending due to my affection for the car.

The car is still in the shop so I assume it'll be done by Weds or so.

jahquan3

I never knew this. I wonder if it would've been smart to tell them save the old part. I believe the warranty on the corner they're replacing is 4 yrs 50k miles. So I'd probably not need the old 1 but it couldn't hurt.

jonUF02

You must have another car. I couldn't function with a car in the shop for weeks. I would definitely move on and buy a newer one at this point. Get it drivable and cut your losses. Plenty of low mileage E550 out there to replace it if that's what you want. Sounds like you got good use of it.

belarus27

Got 110k miles now
got a new front left(oem) and front right struts (from a cls550 w218 i believe which i consider also oem)
and left rear bag is from Arnott.

airmatic is comfortable. , but they either need to modify or update it to make it more reliable.

Keep us posted on what is happenin

jahquan3

The dealer gave me a E300 2017 loaner. Beautiful interior, I'd say the nicest interior I've seen in awhile. Black wood with a white leather. However it moves like a pedal bike especially when merging from 40-80 mph lol.

I agree I'm leaning towards making a change since it's only a matter of time before the other corners need replacing. I have a tough decision since my 17 year old is getting his license any day now and I want to get him a car as well. So I might have to downgrade for a little while until things settle. Add on top of that, we're house hunting at the moment with a moving date around next summer area.

jahquan3

Car is now ready. I'll be picking it up tomorrow morning since I'm very busy today. I'll report back with my findings once I pick it up.

Airmousam

Glad you were able to keep the airmatic, I know you've liked it...yes expensive...but every car has its issues...would seem a good Indy could do the other corners for cheaper when the time comes...my first w212 had springs, and airmatic is sooo much better in this one...coming up in a 100k crossing fingers...dad's airmatic is at 130k, no probs....I have a crap dirt road I use to get to our lake house, and I raise it every time....nothing lasts forever, except springs and well wu-tang