Before you get all riled up... the invoice with the parts breakdown only lists the compressor, valve body and some ancillary bits. First, the compressor is not shown in your photos, it's behind the black plastic cover next to the driver's side muffler (follow the larger diameter tube from the valve body). Second, that valve body might have been replaced. How much have you driven the car since the dealer worked on it?

As far as the shocks... in the notes it states removed and replaced. There's speculation around that, but its not fixing your issue. Anyway, doesn't really matter what they did or didn't... either they fix it or they don't. If you want to tackle this yourself... then proceed as advised.

Popcorn time...
It was Sunday couldn’t call but I filled up a survey yesterday that they sent me after my the visit(been lurking around here before getting the car so knew better than to leave a review on airmatic work right away); long story short I left 1/10 feedback, explained why and added a link to this thread.
No one called so around 1pm I call explain, transfer to manager on the spot who acknowledges that he saw the review and admit right away that it wasn’t changed something about it was never actually ordered/billed so I mention the fact that somebody highlighted it in green at this point he ask me what I want ...
Has me drop the car off right away and said he will make it right + shows me what was replaced to avoid misunderstandings.
While the car is in the air I am shown that the air compressor and filter was changed + valve body.
Then I can’t believe someone tried to tell me it is normal due to age to sit low, it’s not broken it’s aging! no sir you sold me a car with the most common issue can’t deny it as it was winter when I got it so probably low every day sitting at mb Benz . Thanks You guys prepared me for that meeting so I stood my ground.
To conclude I have the option to go Arnott or OEM springs I believe A-2790 and A-2791 are the arnott code for my car? More importantly they can’t give me warranty on that, they can only give me warranty on OEM.
Maybe this is the only scenario you would want to stick with OEM? Warranty is great with airmatic I believe; anyone shine in please.
Shocks will still be OEM. All at almost no cost. And they will look at a warranty at a “good deal” for even though I didn’t get one right away might be worth it apparently my roof is 8000$ if it breaks 🙈
Also I was surprised to hear that the system will still use the reservoir with Arnott in the rear! Are they correct? as I think someone mentioned not needing the reservoir with Arnotts. I want this done right the first time. Thanks

Also what else should I pay attention to NOW


This morning, barely went to zero C last night

Little confusing. Is the dealer doing this for no cost to you? If they are, why ponder which air springs to use?

Yeah I had to read it twice myself...
I was given they impression that Arnotts are better! Basically I should go OEM considering the warranty. Thanks

from what all I've read, Arnotts are as good as MB for significantly cheaper if you are footing the bill.

They said they will charge me like 100$ in order to activated the 2 years warranty if I choose MB. 0$ for aftermarket + no warranty so this will the the best 100$ spent on an e550 ever

Just make sure they do the job.

My next car is AMG GT 65 I will just wait and get a real low rider.

I have a CLS 550 year 2014. I am having the same issues. My car lowers all the way around. Sometimes I can get in and start the car. I see the message the car is rising, but the car never rises to a level that is drivable. Or certain times it does rise and I go the next day to drive and it does not rise. It’s terrible! Very nice car. I like the car. I do not like this feature. This did not happen the first several years of having the vehicle. The last year 1/2 it’s terrible. The car has to be started and driven daily to prevent the issue. It makes the vehicle not reliable. Thankfully I have other vehicles to use. I would like to understand what causes this and hopefully to get the repair completed. I have searched sites and there are many people experiencing this same or similar issues with these types of cars. It has to be something in the make up of the Air-matic Suspension on these vehicles.

My next step is to take the vehicle again to be serviced by a mechanic to see if the issue may be resolved.

Suggestions are welcomed.

Thank you!

Could be leaky hoses, defective air pump, or worn 10 yr old airbags. You need a Mercedes expert well versed in Airmatic diagnosis.

99.9% sure you have a leaking air spring on each axle. This because car goes down all around and sometimes it raises up but sometimes it does not. When it does not, the air compressor times out for protecting it from overheating.

You have had the problem for long time, and I bet first it was just one air spring leaking, and the compressor was able to bring the car up. You got that "Vehicle Rising" message but did not pay attention to fix the leak then. Now you have two springs leaking and the compressor is having hard time to keep up.

Next time when you get it up leave the suspension in the comfort mode, i.e., in the slightly raised position. You may notice that the car does not go all the way down on both sides.

If you leave the car in the highest position, you should really see which air spring is leaking but if they are in opposing corners the car may stay level but lowers down as only one air spring is carrying the car on each axle.

For the rear, if it still is made with separate simple air springs like my 2010 E550, you can check which spring is flat when the rear is down. You can reach under the car and feel the spring with a stick of some sort. In the front springs are built in the struts and you cannot feel them, but if you first fix the rear springs then you will be able to see in front which side is lower when the car goes down from raised position.

Your car is 10 years old and has reached the life for the air springs and it is time to replace them all. Do not replace just the leaking one in the axle, the other will follow soon.

If you are hands on this is an easy job for a DIY'er.