Cooter24

I Have a 2010 E550 4matic that had both passenger side air shocks go bad at the same time. Looking into replacing all four corners with a spring conversion kit. Is this a bad idea? Are there any kits that are better than others or some to stay away from? Car currently has 170k miles on it and is in great shape. Don't really want any dash lights on but if I can avoid replacing the drivers side 6 months down the road at twice the cost then.... Thanks in advance.

kajtek1

Check Arnott for bags replacement.
I could not find diesel with airmatic, so am forced to ride on steel, but can't understand why would somebody delete comfort features on MB for Chevy-like designs?
Why not buy Chevy in 1st place?

pierrejoliat

Kajtek is right about the Arnott's, Ive used them twice with great results, the air suspension is best repaired, you can get a iron spring set, but there were a number of different springs used on your car based on options, if you can it would be best and cheapest to buy the axle sets instead of one front, one back, also retrofitting iron may affect your lighting system as well

slovcan

Arnott. I just bought one for the right rear of my 2011 E350 CDI. They are the most widely accepted choice over here. Going back to steel springs would be a mistake and probably cost as muct as 4 Arnott air springs/struts.

Cooter24

I’ll check em out. You guys feel the air ride rides that much smoother than a set of coil overs? Thanks again.

slovcan

I have the Airmatic. I just can't imagine how conventional springs could be as smooth. The other thing is the ability to control the ride height with the push of a button. In my case Sport lowers the car about an inch from the default Comfort setting. I can also raise the car for covering rough ground.

kajtek1

Technology changes between the years, but I remember from W211 that air suspension would lower at high cruising speeds to help in handling, then would go back to higher elevation for easier car exiting.
That sounds like James Bond movie.

ChrisHimself

Avoid those conversion kits, they were absolutely terrible on the SL55 generation of car, and I'm willing to bet they're fairly atrocious now. The cars self-level on the go, the ADS system also adjust dampening on the go, it'll even squat and stiffen itself at higher freeway speeds by 20mm. The coilover conversion kits on the older cars would absolutely trash the handling, increase tire wear, and the cars would wander on the freeway. A lot of this was due to a lack of sway bar, but the car wouldn't be level and it'd be driving with weird amounts of preload almost like you had a bad alignment, bad shocks, and the bushing deflection was excessive.

I wouldn't say it's THAT much smoother, I mean we haven't had an S Class without air suspension and nothing else IMO drives like them but I mean the equivalent A8, 7, or Jag all have air suspension so I can't even go apples to apples.

If you REALLY hate the car that much, there are chinese-produced Airmatic units that I swear someone brought into my shop, I installed begrudgingly expecting to do the work again right away, but the car fired up, it raised it off the bump stop and no error codes, it was one of those $250 ebay units. If money is an issue why wouldn't you do the two affected sides now, and later and buy yourself some extra time?

slovcan

Yes, I think mine does the same thing. Basically 3 levels - not sure if the manual height level is variable according to how long you hold the switch. I've never tried. I know Sport lowers it. Comfort is the default every time I start the car. And, I think I saw in the manual that it lowers automatically at high speeds.

pierrejoliat

Yes, it raises and lowers based on speed, its also nice to get old people in and out, when you stop you can raise it up, Both my 220 and 221 had air, I really missed it when I got the 212's One of the main reasons I ordered a luxury model. but I also have a sport, night and day difference, easily noticeable especially if I drive them both on the same day like Saturday to the gas station.

slovcan

I must stand corrected. Mine remembers the setting. I put it on Sport today and it remained on Sport when I restarted it. Otherwise, what I said was accurate.

cvx5832

Another vote for the Arnotts. Quality replacements.