Adjustable Suspension
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Joined: Jul 2019
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From: South Carolina
2020 MB E450 Estate, 2019 Kia Niro Touring
See my quote about 4 posts above from the manual, where I inquired about Air Body Control and Dynamic Body Control.
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2021 M550i
AFAIK, the manual never says changing driving modes changes the suspension settings (unless you have the Air Body Control suspension, in which case it does). They aren't "4 different suspension settings", they're 4 different Driving Modes. Depending on what you have onscreen when you change the mode, the screen tells you exactly what will change, which is normally (and I probably have the wording wrong): 1) Engine & Transmission Response, 2) Steering Response and 3) ESP on/off. With the air suspension I believe it adds 4) Suspension setting.
See my quote about 4 posts above from the manual, where I inquired about Air Body Control and Dynamic Body Control.
See my quote about 4 posts above from the manual, where I inquired about Air Body Control and Dynamic Body Control.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 677
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From: South Carolina
2020 MB E450 Estate, 2019 Kia Niro Touring
Are there 3 settings for ESP under an ESP menu somewhere? Or is ESP listed in the driving Mode information for (Eco), Comfort, Sport, Sport+? What I saw was under the driving Modes, it listed ESP for each (of the ones I set and remembered); I assume it would say ESP-Off if it were turned off for that mode. The instrument panel has an ESP (on) and ESP-OFF indicators. And where I've seen the Mode details listed, it just said ESP (which may be on all settings by default, but I don't know). And of course Manual, where you you can set all available to the desired positions, including ESP On or Off.
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Joined: Oct 2017
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2021 M550i
Are there 3 settings for ESP under an ESP menu somewhere? Or is ESP listed in the driving Mode information for (Eco), Comfort, Sport, Sport+? What I saw was under the driving Modes, it listed ESP for each (of the ones I set and remembered); I assume it would say ESP-Off if it were turned off for that mode. The instrument panel has an ESP (on) and ESP-OFF indicators. And where I've seen the Mode details listed, it just said ESP (which may be on all settings by default, but I don't know). And of course Manual, where you you can set all available to the desired positions, including ESP On or Off.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 677
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From: South Carolina
2020 MB E450 Estate, 2019 Kia Niro Touring
if you go into the individual setting, you can mix and match any of the adjustable settings - such as steering engine and esp. This is where ESP will give you 3 choices. As far as i can tell, no other indicators are shown on my 2018 e300 regardless what setting i put on for ESP - so i dont think its turning off traction control haha which is pretty comical to do anyways on an e300 anyways
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Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Durango, CO
GL450, GLE350 E350, E450
E300 Air suspension
I have a 2019 E300 Luxury with adjustable ride height. I also have a 2016 GL450 with the on/offroad package with adjustable ride height. The GL has multiple displays showing the ride height levels. The E300 does not. The button on the E300 has an up arrow on it. When you press the button, the car raises up.When you press it again it returns to the default position. In other words, the car only has two ride heights, raised and default. The dash Indicates the car is raising. It does not indicate the car is lowering. By contrast, my GL shows raising and lowering indicated by -1, lowering, 0, default, +1, +2, +3 for raised levels.
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Air suspension goes bad a day after the warranty expires. Unfortunately, I survived that experience in 2005 on a 2002 E55 when all four corners broke the same week to the tune of $2,200 each.
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2021 E450 wagon
Repairs are not that big of a deal. On two different E Class wagons, I have personally replaced the rear air shocks. Last time I purchased 2 shocks from Arnott for $800 total. Time to remove and replace with new shocks: 2 hrs.
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For many changing a flat tire or a shock is a big deal. That is why there is a road service industry.
Last edited by ua549; Dec 3, 2025 at 09:17 AM.
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2017 e400 wagon
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From: Saugatuck, Michigan
1985 300TD, 1980 280TE, 1988 200GE, 1989 560SL, 2011 E350Wagon 2023 E450 cabriolet, 2023 EQE SUV
Thanks to all for this thread. I have a new to me 2018 E400 Wagon with 45K miles from Carvana. It is pristine, however, guessing the first owner dumped it when it started to sag and they were facing repair costs for airbags or compressor. Questions for you experts... it's sporadic, and the right side goes WAY low overnight. We live in Michigan...car is in climate controlled garage and it lowered after 2-3 days up North. We have the car in Florida now and it lowers every night in warmer weather. Good news is that it is covered by Carvana warranty...local shop did smoke test and said they didn't see a leak, but if it did it again to send a photo...it did the next day, so they are replacing airbags and compressor for the $100 deductible. My question...any reason why it would be sporatic (it's now and could it have anything to do with driving in Econ mode vs. Comfort mode? Should I ask them to replace sensors while they are at it? thanks team MBWorld.
Last edited by Nancy560SL; Dec 26, 2025 at 04:56 PM.
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From: Richmond VA
'17 E400 wagon
If you don't have Air Body Control (most wagons do not) than you only have the airbags in the rear for "self-leveling". If you do have ABC, than the fronts are also bags and things get a little tricky. w/ ABC when you park the car, it will lower itself. I don't know if it matters what dynamic mode you were in when the car was shutoff or if you have to lock the doors or what. I just know that I read it somewhere online, and my wagon with ABC does air-out when i park and sits with a more sporty look.
If only the right rear is low intermittently, I think that at least helps pinpoint what might be problematic. Hopefully the service center doing the repairs is capable and has the appropriate systems to code and calibrate things.
I would love to have one of the resident MB wizards explain what the ABC module does when you park the vehicle. Anyone care to elaborate?
If only the right rear is low intermittently, I think that at least helps pinpoint what might be problematic. Hopefully the service center doing the repairs is capable and has the appropriate systems to code and calibrate things.
I would love to have one of the resident MB wizards explain what the ABC module does when you park the vehicle. Anyone care to elaborate?
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Joined: Apr 2018
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From: Saugatuck, Michigan
1985 300TD, 1980 280TE, 1988 200GE, 1989 560SL, 2011 E350Wagon 2023 E450 cabriolet, 2023 EQE SUV
Thank you! I don't have ABC on this one. The warranty shop I'm using is in the process of replacing the rear airbags and the compressor for good measure. Hopefully that covers any sag...I guess if it still does it then I'll look to get the sensors covered under warranty, too. I'm just glad it happened now while the car is under its carvana warranty, which proved its weight in gold.
