After market air suspension
 

Hello fam,

I have a 2010 e550. So my back suspension has been dropping quite frequently. I had the dealer look into it and suspect that there was some waterleak into the struts and have corroded and rusted some components. They recommend I change both back suspension for about $3k.

I wanted to ask. for that price, are there any aftermarket air rides that are reliable to replace all 4, instead of just the backs with OEM?

Any recommendation would be greatly appreciated.

This supposedly fits the w212 RWD

https://www.bagriders.com/mercedes-b...-ride-kit.html

I heard from someone at a car meet that they new someone else who had a w212 and had the accuair kit on it and it worked great. But yeah that's some sketchy word of mouth. You can try it if you want :B

I also think Arnott makes OEM replacements for the airmatic system and they cost less, but I think they're rebuilds/remanufactured/refurbished, not brand new.

I have D2 air struts that I haven't installed on my car yet.

I bought them used from a local person who had them on his car for about 1k miles before selling his car.
They are from Bag riders but had to have custom mounts made for the rears to work with the airmatic suspension.
I think they might work (without modification) if you change the rear lower control arms to the non-airmatic ones

Whoops. Needed to mebment that mine is 4matic

I don't know how receptive the 4-Matic system is to modification, might have to just go with OEM replacements.

yea it's looking like it, sadly. but i'm fine with OEM. its worked for 8 years so why not.

Going back to your Orig statement? you said the rears? - the Shock is separate from the air bag?
I think the shocks new are what 280 each? Vs the air bags - are plastic?

I also think the shock is only 2 or 3 bolts? if needed to be replaced?
Seems odd statement that water intrusion\rust has occurred at the cost of 3K?

I'd do a little more research maybe or checking before throwing 3K at it...

Cheers
JPC

Thanks man. Yeah I'm still doing research. I'll have another shop look into it and see if they say the same thing. That waterplay/waterleak sounded weird. But I'm not throwing 3k at it without at least seeing if I can replace all 4 for the 100k-200k journey

Thanks y'all

LOL - here is a great view of the rear suspension!!!
https://sprzedajemy.pl/mercedes-w212-zawieszenie-tylne-okazja-bydgoszcz-2-6bea9f-nr54375517

Maybe this will help and have them point out where water got in?

Front left current OEM part # 2123203338, right 2123203438; rear 2123203725, 2123203825. Check https://www.arnottindustries.com

hey guys, so went back to read exactly what the Merc dealer had written after inspecting my car. this is what they said:

"Rear suspension sagging - Suspect water intrusion casued rear suspension compressor to become corroded and rusted. Affects the rest of the system. Recommend replacing multiple parts of rear suspension"
The labor to be done is - Replace rear airmatic suspension components (valve unit of air suspension), compressor and compressor bracket of air suspension, both rear air suspension bellows)

Parts they're replacing are:
Pneumatic spring 2x
Compressor unit
Valve unit
Rubber mount
washers/bushing
-----------------------------------

Now I'm trying to get them back on the phone to let me know exactly how the water got in there. HAS ANYONE EVER ENCOUNTERED THIS ISSUE? am I the only lucky one to have it or are they BS'ing me?

I don't have an ounce of mechanical intuition (besides changing brakes/rotors/tires/headlights and all that easy stuff). I'm just curious to know if there is a better option, or should I save up this money to get this work done. I am not in the market for another car, least not yet, and I need this to run another 5 years or more. Also, looking to get a 2nd opinion because $3k on an 8 year old car is A LOT!

If your VIN is within affected range of attached bulletin request MB goodwill repair. Argue rear air springs installed at production are defective and bulletin documents MB mandates replacement to current modified part together with replacing additional moisture affected parts as noted. "If the components are replaced due to water in the system, this is to be encoded in the warranty and goodwill case as consequential damage for the air spring bellows."


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...4028f55c7a.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...a98b475eda.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...d9b7571fe6.jpg

How would I check if my VIN is within affected range?

Last 6 #s i.e.: WDDHF7CB2AA###### up to and including 596462.

VIN number is within that range. I called the dealer but 2010 is too old to satisfy their goodwill repair criteria.. they won't discount the repair. I do appreciate your input. That was my first time ever hearing about goodwill repairs.

That is dealer’s opinion contact MBUSA direct once explained they may offer goodwill assistance https://mercedes-benz.custhelp.com/app/call - email, attach bulletin. Again, argue rear air springs installed at production are defective causing moisture to enter system bulletin documents MB mandates replacement to current modified part together with replacing additional moisture affected parts as noted.

Got in contact with Mercedes of USA.. they agreed to give me a discount towards the repairs.. not a lot but it's good enough to help. THANK YOU! for your suggestion.

Good Luck. I've replaced almost all of my air suspension components over the past year or so. I had the front driver strut replaced at dealer. I had both rear bags replaced with Arnotts and I went to Car-parts.com and got the Front Right strut used for a fraction of the cost at the dealer. I had a local Master Tech put it on for me for only $150. I also replaced several other components. My car is RWD unlike yours so not sure if that makes a difference in the options you have in comparison to mines.