Exercising the Airmatic -

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Mar 21, 2008 | 03:09 PM

DaCeptak0n

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From: Charlotte, NC

'16 528i MSport

Exercising the Airmatic -

Is it a necessity? I have used it all of 2 times since we've had the car and it was just times to show it off to people

Mar 21, 2008 | 03:39 PM

lkchris

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From: Albuquerque

'10 CL550, '12 GL550

Since your owners manual contains ...

Quote:

As your driving speed increases, the vehicle is lowered by increments until it reaches high-speed level.

... I'd conclude your Airmatic is well exercised.

Mar 21, 2008 | 07:29 PM

HoustonRider

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From: Texas

06 CLS500

thats only the case when its in the raised mode to begin with.

If you keep it in normal mode (don't raise it), it will maintain normal ride height.

Mar 21, 2008 | 08:49 PM

MB Fanatic

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From: South Orange County, CA

4 wheels

If you werent using airmatic your GL would be sitting on the floor. Its constantly working as you drive and even when your not driving.

Mar 21, 2008 | 10:49 PM

MB_inspired

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2012 C350 4matic

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoustonRider

thats only the case when its in the raised mode to begin with.

If you keep it in normal mode (don't raise it), it will maintain normal ride height.

Actually once you reach about 70mph, the vehicle lowers further for aerodynamic efficiency. Sport mode also drops it down by an inch and a half. Great for slightly easier loading or just for looks

Mar 21, 2008 | 10:51 PM

Greul

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From: Omaha, Nebraska

'08 GL 320 CDI (scheduled delivery 3/20/08)

Forgive me the dumb question, I'm a new GL owner....how do you switch to sport mode?

Mar 21, 2008 | 10:55 PM

oknish

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From: LA LA Land

'07 GL 450, '02 S 80 T6

For a second, I thought the title of this thread was "Exorcising the Airmatic"

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Mar 21, 2008 | 11:11 PM

Greul

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From: Omaha, Nebraska

'08 GL 320 CDI (scheduled delivery 3/20/08)

There's no button there....

Mar 22, 2008 | 03:14 AM

#10

MB Fanatic

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From: South Orange County, CA

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Greul

There's no button there....

Then you don't have it. You have the stock suspension with steel springs.

Mar 22, 2008 | 08:47 AM

#11

emayer

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From: Bucks County PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaCeptak0n

Is it a necessity? I have used it all of 2 times since we've had the car and it was just times to show it off to people

As per the other posts airmatic is functioning continuously and lowers further at 70mph (equivalent to sport setting). Also the car self-levels on inclines- you may notice this when stopped in traffic. I tend to use sport mode when driving alone, but I also like raising the vehicle for driving in snow. The one part I don't have use for is "Comfort" mode, the standard setting is darn good to begin with!

Mar 22, 2008 | 09:31 AM

#12

Nevada Jack

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From: Las Vegas, NV

2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greul

There's no button there....

The only models with the Comfort/Sport mode are the GL450 with the ORP and the GL550. This is because these two models have ADSII which can adjust the shock travel and either soften or harden the ride.

MBFanatic: ALL GL's have Air Suspension, but not all GL's have ADSII.

Mar 22, 2008 | 09:35 AM

#13

carpersn

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From: NC

2019 Volvo XC90 Magic/Amber, '95 E320 Cabriolet Midnight,'14 GL350 Lunar/Almond was '07 GL320CDI

Quote:

Originally Posted by MB Fanatic

Then you don't have it. You have the stock suspension with steel springs.

NO GL has steel springs...just that only some have the variable ADSII and some do not (diesels do not)...MB marketing at its best

Mar 22, 2008 | 11:07 AM

#14

Nevada Jack

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From: Las Vegas, NV

2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha

Quote:

Originally Posted by carpersn

...just that only some have the variable ADSII and some do not (diesels do not)...MB marketing at its best

Maybe that may change in the '09 models....

Mar 22, 2008 | 11:14 AM

#15

StevethePilot

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From: Scottsdale, AZ

2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP

Quote:

Originally Posted by MB Fanatic

Then you don't have it. You have the stock suspension with steel springs.

No, he has airmatic, just not ADSII. Everybody with a GL in the US has airmatic.

Mar 22, 2008 | 12:51 PM

#16

MB Fanatic

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From: South Orange County, CA

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Blah you learn something new all the time

Why its not standard is besides me?

Mar 22, 2008 | 01:33 PM

#17

oknish

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From: LA LA Land

'07 GL 450, '02 S 80 T6

Quote:

Originally Posted by MB Fanatic

Why its not standard is besides me?

Because MaBenz knows best. Now go back to enjoying your 550 or MaBenz will never sell to you again.

Mar 22, 2008 | 01:48 PM

#18

MB Fanatic

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From: South Orange County, CA

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Quote:

Originally Posted by oknish

Because MaBenz knows best. Now go back to enjoying your 550 or MaBenz will never sell to you again.

Hahah were looking at a pretty late delivery date for the MY09 to come out.

Mar 22, 2008 | 09:05 PM

#19

oknish

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From: LA LA Land

'07 GL 450, '02 S 80 T6

Quote:

Originally Posted by MB Fanatic

Hahah were looking at a pretty late delivery date for the MY09 to come out.

So, did you get the old one totaled?

Mar 22, 2008 | 09:42 PM

#20

kevine310

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...

I've heard that the Range Rover's disastrous air suspension problem (which has all the auto-lowering the GL has plus entry/exit mode) is due to lack of "real" use by soccer moms and the like.

I guess this could only apply to Range Rovers given their incredible suspension travel but I don't see any harm in taking the GL off road once in a while.

Mar 23, 2008 | 04:10 AM

#21

MB Fanatic

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From: South Orange County, CA

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Quote:

Originally Posted by oknish

So, did you get the old one totaled?

I tired but the damage was estimated at around 19K. Dealer will fix it and accept it as trade in. I could care less if I lose quite a bit on it as I just want something safe for my kids and wife to be in.

Mar 23, 2008 | 11:12 AM

#22

GL Fahrer

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From: Barmet Bay, NY

1972 Chevy Vega 2300 - Panel Express

Quote:

Originally Posted by carpersn

NO GL has steel springs...just that only some have the variable ADSII and some do not (diesels do not)...MB marketing at its best

Listen to NJ
For USA, the GL comes standard with full (4-wheel) air suspension. As evidenced by the Vehicle level control switch.
The only option is for ADS II which allows you to fine tune the AIRMATIC suspension. This is standard on the GL550
For MY07-08 it was part of the Enhanced Off-road package (GL450) and will now be a stand-alone option for the GL320 & 450 for MY2009.

Mar 23, 2008 | 12:12 PM

#23

StevethePilot

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From: Scottsdale, AZ

2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevine310

My 1999 Lexus LX470 had quite a bit of travel (I used to love raising it up in front of people to the off-road height, which it did very slowly, then while I was talking to them I'd drop it to the load/unload height, which it'd do pretty quickly) and I always wondered why I had only minor seepage in the system at 217,000 miles. In fact, while the mechanic had it on "death watch," only two of the shocks (pistons?) showed any indication of leaking and only barely. I guess it's because I really did use the thing to go up and down, and I really did take it off-road. Looks like I've got an excuse to try the GL on some of the off-road areas here in AZ! Wheeee!

STP