already in the shop?...
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Newbie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17
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already in the shop?...
premier editions already in the shop?..regarding airmatic/suspension problems?...[lowrider post]...
what can we say about reliability now?...really sad....
i think i'm better off buying a lexus or a buick for that matter..
what do you guys think?
what can we say about reliability now?...really sad....
i think i'm better off buying a lexus or a buick for that matter..
what do you guys think?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,846
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
It is amazing that all these problems are cropping up with Airmatic on the GL's, but not the other Benzes that use the same system. I don't read about nearly as many problem on R's and ML's that have Airmatic so what is different about the GL I wonder?
M
M
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 857
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From: NC
2019 Volvo XC90 Magic/Amber, '95 E320 Cabriolet Midnight,'14 GL350 Lunar/Almond was '07 GL320CDI
Da%n, People, Cool Down
I Know It's A B$tch, But It's Batch Of Bad Pumps, People...get Over It And Get It Fixed.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 312
Likes: 30
From: Florida, USA
2017 Rolls Royce Wraith, 1999 CLK Cabriolet, 2023 Genesis G90
I was told there have been at least three GLs at my dealership that have blown the seals of the front Airmatic shocks. Looks like a bad batch, as our colleague put it. I just hope no other problems arise, as I'm now tired of driving the new PT Cruiser loaner. It's nice and smells new, but it feels, and sounds, like it has a sewing machine under the hood, with about as much power as one too.
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 185
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From: The OC
Depends where I'm going.
Wait a sec, blown shocks are something completely unrelated to the airmatic pump. I'm sure Mercedes engineers took all factors into consideration but maybe the car is just too damn heavy for the airmatic system and that's the root cause of the issues. Personally, I feel that the ride on the GL is buttery smooth until you hit a large dip or something. Then the suspension bottoms out so hard that it feels like it would blow some seals for sure. I hope this is a problem that gets resolved because I could tell you right now, I will not keep this car after the warranty expires.
Airmatic is a very problematic issue and I can tell you this from first hand experience. I have a 1999 SL600 and it came with airmatic which was touted as a "premium feature" that was standard on the SL600. I'm not sure if it was even available on the Sl500. With no more than 19k miles, it blew both front and rear reservoir seals as well as some other parts to the airmatic system. Once, I had the entire front end drop almost to the ground just like people have experienced with their GLs. To make a long story short, I had to flatbed it in 4x and the total for all airmatic repairs was $9k because it was out of factory warranty. The dealership told me that some of the problems arose due to me not driving the car enough but give me a break. (figuratively speaking of course)
Airmatic is a very problematic issue and I can tell you this from first hand experience. I have a 1999 SL600 and it came with airmatic which was touted as a "premium feature" that was standard on the SL600. I'm not sure if it was even available on the Sl500. With no more than 19k miles, it blew both front and rear reservoir seals as well as some other parts to the airmatic system. Once, I had the entire front end drop almost to the ground just like people have experienced with their GLs. To make a long story short, I had to flatbed it in 4x and the total for all airmatic repairs was $9k because it was out of factory warranty. The dealership told me that some of the problems arose due to me not driving the car enough but give me a break. (figuratively speaking of course)
Last edited by 2thfixr; Sep 14, 2006 at 01:12 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 31
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From: Australia
2020 GLS 400d
Maybe the problem is with the fact that the airmatic doesn't come with the ADS. Without the ADS there is only standard shocks to control the air struts, but I believe that the stuts were designed to be used in conjunction with ADS so the force of a large bump will be distibuted between the shock and the strut, with the shock automatically adjusting to a firmer rate thereby accepting more force. In Australia, we can only order the GL with the off road pro package which comes with ADS and beefed up struts. We are known to be a tough market on durability due to some of a secondary roads not being in the same standard to the US or Europe, so maybe the heavier suspension is standard here for the same reasons that you are seeing some failures over there?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,846
Likes: 291
From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Maybe the problem is with the fact that the airmatic doesn't come with the ADS. Without the ADS there is only standard shocks to control the air struts, but I believe that the stuts were designed to be used in conjunction with ADS so the force of a large bump will be distibuted between the shock and the strut, with the shock automatically adjusting to a firmer rate thereby accepting more force. In Australia, we can only order the GL with the off road pro package which comes with ADS and beefed up struts. We are known to be a tough market on durability due to some of a secondary roads not being in the same standard to the US or Europe, so maybe the heavier suspension is standard here for the same reasons that you are seeing some failures over there?
M
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,846
Likes: 291
From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Wait a sec, blown shocks are something completely unrelated to the airmatic pump. I'm sure Mercedes engineers took all factors into consideration but maybe the car is just too damn heavy for the airmatic system and that's the root cause of the issues. Personally, I feel that the ride on the GL is buttery smooth until you hit a large dip or something. Then the suspension bottoms out so hard that it feels like it would blow some seals for sure. I hope this is a problem that gets resolved because I could tell you right now, I will not keep this car after the warranty expires.
Airmatic is a very problematic issue and I can tell you this from first hand experience. I have a 1999 SL600 and it came with airmatic which was touted as a "premium feature" that was standard on the SL600. I'm not sure if it was even available on the Sl500. With no more than 19k miles, it blew both front and rear reservoir seals as well as some other parts to the airmatic system. Once, I had the entire front end drop almost to the ground just like people have experienced with their GLs. To make a long story short, I had to flatbed it in 4x and the total for all airmatic repairs was $9k because it was out of factory warranty. The dealership told me that some of the problems arose due to me not driving the car enough but give me a break. (figuratively speaking of course)
Airmatic is a very problematic issue and I can tell you this from first hand experience. I have a 1999 SL600 and it came with airmatic which was touted as a "premium feature" that was standard on the SL600. I'm not sure if it was even available on the Sl500. With no more than 19k miles, it blew both front and rear reservoir seals as well as some other parts to the airmatic system. Once, I had the entire front end drop almost to the ground just like people have experienced with their GLs. To make a long story short, I had to flatbed it in 4x and the total for all airmatic repairs was $9k because it was out of factory warranty. The dealership told me that some of the problems arose due to me not driving the car enough but give me a break. (figuratively speaking of course)
M
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Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 185
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From: The OC
Depends where I'm going.
Sorry my mistake! I should have referred to it as "air suspension". 
What's the difference between Airmatic and ADS? Airmatic only controls height and ADS is for shock rate? In that case my SL has ADS, my GL has Airmatic and my wife's S500 has both.
What's the difference between Airmatic and ADS? Airmatic only controls height and ADS is for shock rate? In that case my SL has ADS, my GL has Airmatic and my wife's S500 has both.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 312
Likes: 30
From: Florida, USA
2017 Rolls Royce Wraith, 1999 CLK Cabriolet, 2023 Genesis G90
Got the GL back yesterday, with normal ride height. According to the repair report, it was not the seals, but the airmatic compressor itself that blew. There was a stuck relay that apparently fried the pump. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the rear compressor doesn't go next. You can be certain that this GL won't be in my garage any time after its factory warranty expires. I still enjoy driving it and even looking at it, but I wouldn't risk keeping it under these circumstances. In fact, even if it is "blasphemy," I'm thinking I may switch car makers all togother with my next purchase. This means that S63 on order may not see my garage after all. Time will tell.
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 89
Likes: 2
2012 S350 ,2013 ML350,'08 C300
Just curious whether the sound from the suspension that occurs when you go over a pothole or speed strip (sounds like a creaking door) is a strut or spring problem that all GL's will have from poor engineering?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 292
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas, NV
GL450 (Alabaster White/Black Interior)
Creaking door? I have not heard that sound from mine. I would get it looked at.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,517
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From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
Got the GL back yesterday, with normal ride height. According to the repair report, it was not the seals, but the airmatic compressor itself that blew. There was a stuck relay that apparently fried the pump. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the rear compressor doesn't go next. You can be certain that this GL won't be in my garage any time after its factory warranty expires. I still enjoy driving it and even looking at it, but I wouldn't risk keeping it under these circumstances. In fact, even if it is "blasphemy," I'm thinking I may switch car makers all togother with my next purchase. This means that S63 on order may not see my garage after all. Time will tell.
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 89
Likes: 2
2012 S350 ,2013 ML350,'08 C300
Albeit, there is great comfort that at least a year has produced a small amount of complaints and may be relegated to my 12000 miles plus on the vehicle...my hope is the problems will not indeed grow as more time and miles are accumulated by GL owners
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 89
Likes: 2
2012 S350 ,2013 ML350,'08 C300
Well, it has been four days since I have seen my GL450 as it has been interned at the dealer for a nasty creaking noise from the front end. The shop foreman said the next try will be to loosen the torsion bar and repack the neoprene sleeves. I was busy and don't really know if he is refering to the airmatic sleeves or what. I'll keep everyone alert. I still love this ride and just can't wait to get it back!
