Will 9.5 inch wide rims interfere with settled air suspension
#1
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Good day all. My first post. I'm experiencing my 2nd cracked AMG rim on my W212 E550 4-matic, air-matic. The first one had 3 cracks I had repaired for $225. With this second one, I am shopping for new oem rims. I believe my factory rim size is 18x8 front and rear. I saw a set of four S63 rims (18x8.5 front, and 18x9.5rear) on ebay. But I am concerned if 9.5 inch rims would cause interference if my air suspension settles all the way down as it sometimes does if the car sits for a few days? I believe my oem 8in rims have 245/40 x 18in tires. It looks like the 9.5in rims can accept as small as 255/40 x 18. So I think I will be ok, but always better to look before leaping
Thanks all!
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#4
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'11 E350, '11 E550, '98 M3, '95 E320
Fix the Airmatic leak... because that's going to be expensive if you let it linger. Not to worry you, but start to accept that it may be a few thousand in parts since these cars are approaching 10+ years and 100k. Air struts, rear air springs, valve body and compressor.
I wouldn't worry about larger rims, get the cracked ones repaired or reman ones for a few hundred first.
I wouldn't worry about larger rims, get the cracked ones repaired or reman ones for a few hundred first.
#5
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Thanks M3. Ha, I just sold my E46 M3 back in April. That car was so much fun to drive! But I do like the E550 better as far as long trips go of course
Yea, I want to fix the air-matic leak. I'll have to learn more about that system. Yea, my mechanic mentioned about $1,500 per quarter for replacement. How do I find out where the leak is? ( I imagine the OBD won't report it, so I am wondering if one can put green dye like in an air conditioning system to find the leak)? Thanks again M3...
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Yea, I want to fix the air-matic leak. I'll have to learn more about that system. Yea, my mechanic mentioned about $1,500 per quarter for replacement. How do I find out where the leak is? ( I imagine the OBD won't report it, so I am wondering if one can put green dye like in an air conditioning system to find the leak)? Thanks again M3...
#6
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'11 E350, '11 E550, '98 M3, '95 E320
Thanks M3. Ha, I just sold my E46 M3 back in April. That car was so much fun to drive! But I do like the E550 better as far as long trips go of course
Yea, I want to fix the air-matic leak. I'll have to learn more about that system. Yea, my mechanic mentioned about $1,500 per quarter for replacement. How do I find out where the leak is? ( I imagine the OBD won't report it, so I am wondering if one can put green dye like in an air conditioning system to find the leak)? Thanks again M3...
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Yea, I want to fix the air-matic leak. I'll have to learn more about that system. Yea, my mechanic mentioned about $1,500 per quarter for replacement. How do I find out where the leak is? ( I imagine the OBD won't report it, so I am wondering if one can put green dye like in an air conditioning system to find the leak)? Thanks again M3...
Hate to say it... but there's a good amount of recent threads (within 1yr) helping diagnose issues with airmatic. The car dropping overnight or a few days means there's an issue. A healthy system will not drop appreciably for a long time (i.e. you'd never notice it even sitting weeks).
The system will re-level itself after parking and locking... "farting" is normal. Front struts are under 1k each, whether MB (reman) or Arnott. Likely struts at this age.
The system will re-level itself after parking and locking... "farting" is normal. Front struts are under 1k each, whether MB (reman) or Arnott. Likely struts at this age.
- Car parked and locked (key at least 15' away), wait 30 minutes or so
- Disconnect the airline (at compressor) between the compressor and valve body. Stick airline end into a cup of water and check for bubbles. Bubbles = leaking valve body. Replace for $300-400 from MB.
- No bubbles = likely strut bad.
- Last check, spray down all airlines at compressor, valve body, lines and top of strut (where airline enters) to check for leaks (bubbles).
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