HBerman

My compressor apparently has developed issues and is throwing off malfunction codes today. New compressor ordered for tomorrow install. First time in all of my years that I have experienced this sort of failure. Sigh!

c4004matic

On my c 400 the comptessor never failed, but the system needed repair twice. When there is a tault it defaults to the stiffest setting. Both times it was wiring issues.

ua549

I had all sorts of issues with every part of the air suspension on my W211 E500 and E550. There's nothing like exiting a store to see your car immovable because the fenders are in contact with the tires. Two strikes and I'll never buy an air suspension car again.

Wassaby

Air suspension is a big NO, doesn't matter what car. Unless you lease so you don't have to deal with.

HBerman

Yes, it defaulted to the raised position.

vic viper

No it isnt.

ua549

If the strut fails (can't hold air) the body rests on the tire. Drive the car and shred the tire.

HBerman

As I stated, first time in 13 years for a fault indication. Multiple vehicles over that time. Once you have experienced the improved ride qualities of the Airmatic suspension vs. steel coils, you will never go back to standard.

Diesel Benz

I guess you mean the lower part of the tyre? If the body touched the tyre when the suspension bottoms for any reason, that would be dangerous (usually happens at high speed).

If the strut fails, you have to drive very slowly and carefully though.

ua549

No, the top of the tire comes in contact with the fender. If you are moving the tire shreds. I had 2 separate front strut failures. One was when the car was parked overnight and likely leaked down slowly. The other was catastrophic when traveling at 45 mph. I was barely able to keep from crashing.

c4004matic

The side with failed strut will sag however the tire will not contact the body. There are bump stops at the bottom of the strut to prevent this. You will crash through every bump but the body will not rest on the tire. Furthermore, the possibility of failure which would cause instantaneous total loss of lift is almost unheard of. Invariably, the loss is slow and you notice it either by codes or because you find it flat a particular morning because the pump failed due to running constantly trying to compensate. The possibility of a catastrophic failure that would cause a crash is next to nil. However, if the car has been equipped with aftermarket rims and tires that do not meet spec contact could be possible.
Despite being less than worry free in my experience, I still would (and did) buy another car with the system. The failures were an inconvenience (I never had the totally flat problem) rather than a real issue and it outperforms regular springs brilliantly. However, I agree that owners that expect the suspension system be completely reliable might be disappointed.

petee1997

I have had it on three MB's to date. The first one was on my 04 SL. The early ones were not very dependable. The last one was on my 13 CLS550 and it was bullet proof.
I am told that they are greatly improved since the first systems. This has been a work in progress for 15 years and the ride quality is worth the minor irritants that could occur.

ua549

Either there was no bump stop or it failed on the totally stock early W211 (E500). The tire definitely shredded. The real problem was the 1 week trip interruption in the middle of nowhere while waiting for parts to arrive.

c4004matic

The question is; did the tire shred because of the suspension failure, or did the suspension fail because the shredded tire damaged the suspension? Again, the design is engineered to avoid contacting the tire. In the rear, on a fully deflated suspension, the tire will hide in the tire well while the front will have just a minimal amount of daylight from the front fender well. Of course, driving on a deflated suspension is to be avoided except for crawling to a safe spot to wait for a tow.

ua549

The suspension failed at the left front corner. The pavement was pristine and the tires were relatively new Michelin high performance. I don't remember which specific tire, a Pilot Sport Plus perhaps. On the W211 there is no visible daylight when the strut deflates. That was the second failure on the E550. There was perhaps a bit of clearance between the body and the tire, but any movement of the suspension would insure contact with the tire. The car was put on a flatbed to get it to my local dealer. Once again it took more than a couple of days for repairs.

I will never buy a car with air suspension. That is the primary reason other than cost that I won't buy an S Class.

Diesel Benz

The S-class is available without air suspension (not known for better durability though).

Steel springs fail every now and then, it should be equally dangerous as an air spring failing.

ua549

In the US air suspension is standard equipment on the S Class.

In over 50 years of steel spring driving I've never had a failure.
In 5 years of air suspension driving I've had 2 failures.

c4004matic

Precisely.

HBerman

All fixed now. Relay was intermittent. Compressor replaced as well. No codes now. Enjoying my ride.
The loaner that I had had steel springs and rode harshly. Glad I am back on air again.

Diesel Benz

I accept the point that Airmatic tends to fail more often than steel springs and me too never had a steel spring broken (almost 50 years of driving, the last 15 on air springs though). Then again if you read these forums, you can see a lot of broken steel springs (usually less expensive to fix though).

In the US some S-class models come with MBC instead of air springs and MBC is an option for most, if not all S-class models in the US.

ua549

I stand corrected. I thought that MBC was built on top of Airmatic. Still, $4,500 for steel springs is a bit much.

Mitch105

That's a regret I have. I should have got airmatic. The ride is on the stiffer side. Not harsh but not as compliant and refined as I had hoped. On two test drives near dealer I did not realize this as the roads were rather smooth and I was enamoured with the car and it's ambiance.

I love the car and the ride ok but just that.

However, I have also been driving for 34 years and I have never seen a standard suspension fail at least not under 60,000 plus miles.

But I do lease and enjoy a new car every 3 years so airmatic is a no brainer...next time.

ua549

I purchase a car every 2 or 3 years. I keep each one for 10 years or 50k miles whichever comes first. If anything fails, the warranty is usually expired and I have to pay for repairs.

Streamliner

The AirMatic, ABC, Magic Body Control suspensions from MB are truly MAGNIFICENT! Yes, they are more complicated than springs and no, you probably don't want to own a car so equipped with no warranty, but if you trade your cars every 3 to 6 years, GET the air suspension. IMO, it makes for a wonderful ride.