Problem with Air Body Control suspension
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From: The Netherlands
W213
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e350d
Maybe a solution for you all
Hey guys,
I exactly know the problems you describe.
And I had all the updates on the ABC, still sometimes it is worse, sometimes it is better.
So I found a working solution for me.
If I put the ABC to the highest level...so forcing the car to lift up, drive for a couple of minutes and switch back to comfort, then the suspension is great for the whole drive.
I get the best results if I leave the car lifted up over night. After driving for 2-3 minutes going back to comfort mode the suspension is great...as it should be.
Sometimes I get really happy after driving a long distance with the "right" feeling.
Usually the suspension stress me out counting all the bumps and holes on the road.
Strange fix of the problem and I will have a chat with the people at the dealer. But I guess they will have no explanation.
However...we have been driving an w211 for years and still have this car in use.
The airmatic in that car is just out of this world. It is like driving on rails. You almost never feel the bad road quality beneath you and the supension works so great on any road, at any speed.
However in the w211 we needed like 6 different updates/configurations and about 3 years to get it done perfect.
So I know there should be a better outcome for the w213.
And no, there is no excuse if it does not work correctly, cause these cars are really expensive and if you add those abc options, then you should get for what you paid.
I exactly know the problems you describe.
And I had all the updates on the ABC, still sometimes it is worse, sometimes it is better.
So I found a working solution for me.
If I put the ABC to the highest level...so forcing the car to lift up, drive for a couple of minutes and switch back to comfort, then the suspension is great for the whole drive.
I get the best results if I leave the car lifted up over night. After driving for 2-3 minutes going back to comfort mode the suspension is great...as it should be.
Sometimes I get really happy after driving a long distance with the "right" feeling.
Usually the suspension stress me out counting all the bumps and holes on the road.
Strange fix of the problem and I will have a chat with the people at the dealer. But I guess they will have no explanation.
However...we have been driving an w211 for years and still have this car in use.
The airmatic in that car is just out of this world. It is like driving on rails. You almost never feel the bad road quality beneath you and the supension works so great on any road, at any speed.
However in the w211 we needed like 6 different updates/configurations and about 3 years to get it done perfect.
So I know there should be a better outcome for the w213.
And no, there is no excuse if it does not work correctly, cause these cars are really expensive and if you add those abc options, then you should get for what you paid.
Last edited by rooarr; Mar 10, 2019 at 12:23 PM.
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From: The Netherlands
W213
Thanks for the tip! I will try this out.
Please report back after you have done this. I'm very curious how this could be explained. It should not make a difference.
Totally agree! I have driven a W211 for then years and the air suspension was superb.
Yes there should be, but according to Mercedes this is what it is. Unbelievable.....
Strange fix of the problem and I will have a chat with the people at the dealer.
...we have been driving an w211 for years and still have this car in use. The airmatic in that car is just out of this world.
So I know there should be a better outcome for the w213.
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From: A Dutchy Living in Marseille, France
EQE SUV AMG-line 350+
I tried it today and it indeed seems to make a bit of a differenc, although the more I focus on the suspension the less I "know"...
will test some more during the week between "lift" and "no lift"
will test some more during the week between "lift" and "no lift"
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2021 Mercedes Benz e450 Wagon
Wow, 17 inches and it doesn't feel like butter? That's unsettling. Sorry to hear it. Have you tested a car without ABC for a comparison? Maybe it's just the car itself?
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W213
Well that's quite a story. If you have time you can read this thread from the beginning. The short summary is that after months of investigation and consultation according to Mercedes (dealer and importer) nothing is wrong with the car. Apparently the behaviour of my suspension is a result of the combination of Air Body Control with a relative light engineblock. After consultation between the importer and the factory in Germany the outcome was that Mercedes is not willing to do anything about this. Although they probably can by adjusting the software.....
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From: A Dutchy Living in Marseille, France
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Hallo Haag,
did u try the raising of suspension yet?
like to get your feedback, cos i'm starting to drive (no pun intended) myself crazy.
the more i focus on the suspension, the less i can judge whether it really makes some difference or if it's just in my head.
btw, i don't know anything about wheels
i have "18" LIGHT ALLOY WHEEL 5-SPOKE DESIGN ALL-ROUND"
is this good or bad..?
did u try the raising of suspension yet?
like to get your feedback, cos i'm starting to drive (no pun intended) myself crazy.
the more i focus on the suspension, the less i can judge whether it really makes some difference or if it's just in my head.
btw, i don't know anything about wheels
i have "18" LIGHT ALLOY WHEEL 5-SPOKE DESIGN ALL-ROUND"
is this good or bad..?
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W213
I have not been able to test it yet and unfortunately I wont be able to do so until next week. I will report back as soon as possible. But I have tested driving with raised suspension earlier in the proces and that made no difference at that time. But I have not tried to raise and then lower after a few minutes or parking it with raised suspension.
I'm not sure what you mean with good or bad. But 18 inch is a normal size for the W213 and should not be a problem in combination with ABC. Larger wheel sizes can be less comfortable, but that is rather subjective.
I'm not sure what you mean with good or bad. But 18 inch is a normal size for the W213 and should not be a problem in combination with ABC. Larger wheel sizes can be less comfortable, but that is rather subjective.
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e350d
Well...I have the 350d Engine...so the argumentation with the weight falls apart considering that my suspension is acting as yours...
However...there really are difference in the cars depending on the engine size.
Audi, BMW and Mercedes with 2liter engines do behave especially on higher velocities (180+km/h) (sorry, I drive on german Autobahn) I would say shaky and more nervious, compared to cars with 3liter engines. Which makes sense in some way, cause those cars are "made" and "configured" to have travel speeds until 250km/h.
So yes...explanation could be true in some way.
However...I have the same feeling on my 350d ABC than you.
For sure: tire sizes, tire types do a lot of difference.
Everything about 18 inch is more bumpy than beneath.
Every run-flat tire will be harder and thus more bumpy than non run flat tires etc.
However...my problem is that somedays (with the lifting trick) the suspension just behaves perfect and smooth, while beeing stiff enough on high speed traveling.
But on other days it is bumpy, harsch and uncomfortable.
And unfortunately I am talking about the same routes, roads I am using every day.
However...there really are difference in the cars depending on the engine size.
Audi, BMW and Mercedes with 2liter engines do behave especially on higher velocities (180+km/h) (sorry, I drive on german Autobahn) I would say shaky and more nervious, compared to cars with 3liter engines. Which makes sense in some way, cause those cars are "made" and "configured" to have travel speeds until 250km/h.
So yes...explanation could be true in some way.
However...I have the same feeling on my 350d ABC than you.
For sure: tire sizes, tire types do a lot of difference.
Everything about 18 inch is more bumpy than beneath.
Every run-flat tire will be harder and thus more bumpy than non run flat tires etc.
However...my problem is that somedays (with the lifting trick) the suspension just behaves perfect and smooth, while beeing stiff enough on high speed traveling.
But on other days it is bumpy, harsch and uncomfortable.
And unfortunately I am talking about the same routes, roads I am using every day.
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2021 M550i
so i had the opportunity to ride around an e300 with 19s for one month as a loner - and to be honest it felt more sturdier and smoother than my 18s. Could be many things, but just my 2 cents for comparison purposes. From my perspective the e300 is a fairly larger car that can could/should accommodate 19s.
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From: A Dutchy Living in Marseille, France
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2018 S560
With my 2018 e63 amg there was very little difference between sports plus suspension mode and comfort. Both were like steel rods for shocks. Dealer told me it’s a amg it’s normal. My 2012 amg comfort mode was comfort. That car felt a lot more how you’d expect a Mercedes to drive. Both my non air suspension 2019 e450 cars are fine except the wagon is a little stiffer in the rear which is air springs in the rear. Has no choice it’s the only way the wagons come otherwise I would have avoided them.
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2021 Mercedes Benz e450 Wagon
so i had the opportunity to ride around an e300 with 19s for one month as a loner - and to be honest it felt more sturdier and smoother than my 18s. Could be many things, but just my 2 cents for comparison purposes. From my perspective the e300 is a fairly larger car that can could/should accommodate 19s.
From CarID...
"However, to avoid disappointment once they’re on your vehicle, it’s important to realize that bigger wheels can be significantly heavier. If the wheels are for cruising and show, this isn’t such a big deal. If they are meant for a commuter vehicle you’ll have to live with, you’ll pay a price in lost fuel economy and ride comfort. And if you’re looking to boost road-handling, extra weight can actually make a vehicle more difficult to control and less enjoyable to drive."
However, this is irrelevant to some of the individuals on this thread because they are noticing issues on ABC despite riding on 17" wheels. It has to be a software issue...hopefully.
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From: A Dutchy Living in Marseille, France
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Thread Starter
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From: The Netherlands
W213
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From: The Netherlands
W213
Yes it seems like it. I'm still in discussion with them but I don't think there is going to be a solution.
Meanwhile they "offered" to buy back my 4 month old car with 5.000 km for € 15.000 less than I paid for...... speechless......
Meanwhile they "offered" to buy back my 4 month old car with 5.000 km for € 15.000 less than I paid for...... speechless......
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W213
By the way, I tried the "trick" that rooarr described in his post of 03-10-2019. The result after rising the car to its highest level and then lowering it again was that the issue got worse. Before that I had constantly driven in comfort mode for a few months and was under the impression that gradually the problem became a little bit less worse. But now after trying the rising trick it seems that the problem is more noticable. Strange how different cars act differently on this matter.
Last edited by Haag; Apr 18, 2019 at 06:09 AM.
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W213
Hi. I have W213 E180 1.6lt with ABC. My previous car is 2016 A6 Ultra 2.0lt diesel engine with adaptive suspension. Both cars are very comfortable at high speeds. Like a flying carpet 
. But the E180 is uncomfortable than the A6 at low speeds. In my opinion, the ABC is doing more sports. Not comfort. When the vehicle is lowered, it can go faster at bend. As a result, ABC is not a Magic Body.
. But the E180 is uncomfortable than the A6 at low speeds. In my opinion, the ABC is doing more sports. Not comfort. When the vehicle is lowered, it can go faster at bend. As a result, ABC is not a Magic Body.
Last edited by W213SC; Apr 18, 2019 at 08:06 AM.
