ADS vs Airmatic
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 35
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From: WA
2007 MB GL450
ADS vs Airmatic
I am confused...
My 07 gl450 has airmatic, but no ADS button for Adaptive damping system. I called MB dealer and was told that the ADS button means the vehicle is airmatic...mine already IS airmatic??? So either the person didn't have a clue, or now I am confused. Does mine have an automatic ADS system or???? Please clarify this for me? I googled and couldn't find anything.
My 07 gl450 has airmatic, but no ADS button for Adaptive damping system. I called MB dealer and was told that the ADS button means the vehicle is airmatic...mine already IS airmatic??? So either the person didn't have a clue, or now I am confused. Does mine have an automatic ADS system or???? Please clarify this for me? I googled and couldn't find anything.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 903
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From: B.C.
GL 320cdi, Chevrolet Avalanchero, GLE 350 (on order)
I am confused...
My 07 gl450 has airmatic, but no ADS button for Adaptive damping system. I called MB dealer and was told that the ADS button means the vehicle is airmatic...mine already IS airmatic??? So either the person didn't have a clue, or now I am confused. Does mine have an automatic ADS system or???? Please clarify this for me? I googled and couldn't find anything.
My 07 gl450 has airmatic, but no ADS button for Adaptive damping system. I called MB dealer and was told that the ADS button means the vehicle is airmatic...mine already IS airmatic??? So either the person didn't have a clue, or now I am confused. Does mine have an automatic ADS system or???? Please clarify this for me? I googled and couldn't find anything.
(EDIT) Sorry, I read your post backwards... You have airmatic, the button allows you to select programs. I noticed that outside of USA, the standard airmatic without the switch was advertised as being adaptive, I know mine will firm up if you start swinging the truck around. They likely are all adaptive, but left the fact out of US marketing materials to avoid the exact confusion you are feeling...
Last edited by Brocktoon; Apr 7, 2011 at 04:55 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: B.C.
GL 320cdi, Chevrolet Avalanchero, GLE 350 (on order)
This should clear it up:
"AIRMATIC DC
The AIRMATIC DC (dual control) semi-active air suspension system combines comfort and sportiness. It works with air springs that, depending on the driving situation, can be adjusted electronically for a firmer or softer configuration. Pitching and rolling movements can be reduced when taking bends at speed, for example, while significantly enhancing driving pleasure.
The electronically controlled air suspension system also includes the Adaptive Damping System (ADS). Whilst AIRMATIC DC adapts to different driving situations and driving styles, ADS automatically adapts the damping force at each wheel. You can also regulate the suspension and damping yourself. With the aid of a switch on the centre console, you can choose between the "comfortable", "sporty comfortable" and "sporty" suspension tuning modes."
"AIRMATIC DC
The AIRMATIC DC (dual control) semi-active air suspension system combines comfort and sportiness. It works with air springs that, depending on the driving situation, can be adjusted electronically for a firmer or softer configuration. Pitching and rolling movements can be reduced when taking bends at speed, for example, while significantly enhancing driving pleasure.
The electronically controlled air suspension system also includes the Adaptive Damping System (ADS). Whilst AIRMATIC DC adapts to different driving situations and driving styles, ADS automatically adapts the damping force at each wheel. You can also regulate the suspension and damping yourself. With the aid of a switch on the centre console, you can choose between the "comfortable", "sporty comfortable" and "sporty" suspension tuning modes."
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 35
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From: WA
2007 MB GL450
Ok, so to clarify...all GLs have this air suspension with auto adjusting...but some have the button for manual control? I am still not getting it. I went thru a few rounds of "build your own" mb on their official site and nowhere did I see a choice or option to add that...same with packages, didn't see that listed anywhere. Is it then random? Is it only for outside of US models?
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 903
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From: B.C.
GL 320cdi, Chevrolet Avalanchero, GLE 350 (on order)
Ok, so to clarify...all GLs have this air suspension with auto adjusting...but some have the button for manual control? I am still not getting it. I went thru a few rounds of "build your own" mb on their official site and nowhere did I see a choice or option to add that...same with packages, didn't see that listed anywhere. Is it then random? Is it only for outside of US models?
Newbie
Joined: May 2007
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From: Palm Desert, CA
MB: C320 (2005) and '07 GL 450; Porsche: 911SC (1979), 997S (2006).
Your GL has an Airmatic suspension. The suspension adjusts itself automatically to driving conditions, as the quote in one of the messages above indicates. All GL's have this suspension as standard equipment.
In 2007, you could order the ADS system as an additional cost option. This system allows you to set the basic parameters of the suspension for "soft", "normal", and "sporty" settings, affecting the basic behavior of the suspension. In any of those settings, the airmatic suspension continuesto adjust itself for driving conditions, just at different levels of "sportiness" according to the position of the ADS switch.
In 2007, you could order the ADS system as an additional cost option. This system allows you to set the basic parameters of the suspension for "soft", "normal", and "sporty" settings, affecting the basic behavior of the suspension. In any of those settings, the airmatic suspension continuesto adjust itself for driving conditions, just at different levels of "sportiness" according to the position of the ADS switch.
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2011 GL350 Bluetec, Irridium over Black Leather
You can still do this via the special order program (I ordered my 2011 GL350 with ADS).
It's standard on the GL550.
It was $1000 extra (including the base $250 Special Order charge) on my GL, but I think it's worth it.
- Mark
It's standard on the GL550.
It was $1000 extra (including the base $250 Special Order charge) on my GL, but I think it's worth it.
- Mark
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
I think it would be worth it, too.
Also think there's some confusion in terminology.
The only "automatic adjustment" with the non-ADS versions is ride height.
ADS brings manual selection of ride quality, i.e. soft vs "sport."
Wish I had it.
Also think there's some confusion in terminology.
The only "automatic adjustment" with the non-ADS versions is ride height.
ADS brings manual selection of ride quality, i.e. soft vs "sport."
Wish I had it.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
I had it in my 07 ( will have it in my 2011 ) BUT... it really did not seem to make much difference when I selected one or the other SO... I'm not sure you are missing much!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 35
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From: WA
2007 MB GL450
Thanks guys!!! I ready thru every reply and I can put it together a little better. I have never had a mercedes before, so am not really familiar with all these. I was just puzzled why some had ADS and some didn't, if it's already there automatically. But, the "height" vs "quality" of ride clicked it for me 
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From: New York
14'G63 AMG ,1994 Mercedes E500, 2020 Range Rover HST
A little out of topic... my question is if i have either one can a add the lowering module and if it will work. I have a 2011 bluetec with airmatic bit no ads if there is a difference...???
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2011 GL350 Bluetec, Irridium over Black Leather
- Mark
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From: B.C.
GL 320cdi, Chevrolet Avalanchero, GLE 350 (on order)
ADS adds a control override of the settings, and adds adaptive dampening on a variable basis, and on a wheel by wheel basis. This is how it is marketed outside of the USA. If you look at the quote from MB I made earlier in the thread, you can clearly see how this description differs from what you guys are told.
Last edited by Brocktoon; Apr 9, 2011 at 11:11 AM.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2007
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help please i hate the feeling
dear can you advise if i have a gl 2010 with no ads can i in some way go to service center and ask them to set or fix anything that my car stops moving left to right like a boat at high sea ?
i feel i am getting sea sick when i am driving my car specialy in my parking or in any parking i need to turn again ad again
thanks a lot for any help / advise
i feel i am getting sea sick when i am driving my car specialy in my parking or in any parking i need to turn again ad again
thanks a lot for any help / advise
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2015
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2007 gl450
little confused!
Alright, so I need new air struts for my 07 gl450. I know I don't have the ADS option, but when pricing struts some say without ADS 0" lift/drop. I have the manual ride height adjustment (raised level or airmatic), so will this strut not work? Are there vehicles without the ride height adjustment?
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BMW 335d
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2008 GL550
Yep, there's a button on the center stack that allows you to toggle between Comfort and Sport. https://www.google.com/search?q=gl55...kpILCJ41UwAUM:
Going to embed the pic here for future generations, lol.
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2008 GL550
