evanblack00

I am placing an order e220d, I really love how AMG exterior looks. It will have air body control as well, I want to get maximum comfort (I can ignore 19" wheels). But it says "lowered suspension" in AMG exterior package. Does it affect comfort (eg, harder suspension) or is it just look?

Zavato

Without any actual experience, I'll chime in- a lowered suspension means less wheel travel which usually results in less comfort in the suspension

c4004matic

Cars with airmatic change height depending on speed and dynamic setting, however, that is independent to how compliant the shocks are. The larger the wheel diameter, the stiffer the ride since there is less sidewall absorption. Airmatic can vary from "softer" than the "comfort" steel suspension to "stiffer" than the sport steel suspension and everything in between. Even in the comfort setting it will firm up instantly if you make a very sudden handling maneuver, ergo, even in comfort it is never sloppy. You cannot go wrong with airmatic. One note, airmatic is the only major system that has failed in my car, twice in 30k. You notice it pretty quickly since the default setting is sport plus.

ua549

Be aware that airmatic struts are outrageously expensive to replace when out of warranty. I had to replace one for my E550 at a cost of $2k including parts & labor.

superangrypenguin

What year was your E550?


I remember replacing them in my 2000 S430. They were a pain. I thought they were pretty well bulletproof by now?

ua549

2007 E550. Prior to that I had an E500. Both were Euro delivery.

superangrypenguin

That's depressing.


I love the AirMatic suspension in my old S class. Expensive as heck to maintain, but amazing ride.


Too bad to hear that the new E class's airmatic suspension still fail. It's been almost 20 years for MB to enhance the reliability but I guess they haven't done a good job.


Sigh.

joshg1001

It isn't that they will fail, but when it comes to german air suspension, they are just notoriously expensive if they do fail.

The amg exterior also includes a sport suspension, and I went with the 19"s on mine. IMO, this car rides much much better than my previous w204 C class with the amg line and 18" wheels.

alfa

if your car will be equipped with the airmatic suspension the ride will not only be smooth it will be supple even with the low profile tires. I currently have an older S-class W220 with airmatic and the new e200 W213 with regular struts. I hate to admit it but the old S-class trumps the new e200 on the ride plushness.

But echoing the others here when the airmatic gets old around 10 years or so the airmatic might need replacement. I say might because being the 2nd or 3rd gen this new eclass' airmatic may be more reliable and resilient that the past airmatic struts. IN the meantime enjoy the airmatic ride, i wish they had that option available when i got my e class this month

evanblack00

As far as I know, airmatic on s-class is more advanced than air body control in e-class, it scans road and adjusts ride height on the go (correct me if I'm wrong). I will keep this car 4-5 years max, bad things still may happen but I want maximum comfort so I will go for it.