Will 9.5 inch wide rims interfere with settled air suspension
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Joined: Dec 2021
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W212 E550 4MATIC AIRMATIC
Will 9.5 inch wide rims interfere with settled air suspension
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!
Thanks all!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,363
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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.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 11
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W212 E550 4MATIC AIRMATIC
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...
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...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 1,012
'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...
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).
