Rear Airbags - Arnott vs. Billstein vs. OEM?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 350
Likes: 106
From: Palo Alto, CA
2011 GL 350, P1 Package, HID headlamps, Blind spot assist, Parktronic, Wood steering wheel
Rear Airbags - Arnott vs. Billstein vs. OEM?
2011 GL350 with 85,000 miles. I use it to tow a 30-foot Airstream trailer.
I have the USAA extended Warranty, which covers replacement Air Suspension Parts. I had the fronts struts and bags done last summer, and now my rears are drooping. My USAA warranty ends in 4 months.
My local Mercedes expert Indy mechanic recommends Arnott bags for the front, and either OEM or Billstein for the rears. He will offer a shop warranty for three years on the rears, but only if he puts in Billstein or OEM.
Your thoughts on which route to take?
I have the USAA extended Warranty, which covers replacement Air Suspension Parts. I had the fronts struts and bags done last summer, and now my rears are drooping. My USAA warranty ends in 4 months.
My local Mercedes expert Indy mechanic recommends Arnott bags for the front, and either OEM or Billstein for the rears. He will offer a shop warranty for three years on the rears, but only if he puts in Billstein or OEM.
Your thoughts on which route to take?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
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From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
They probably don't do Arnotts simply because they haven't, or can't, setup an account with them to get them at a discount so they can make a few bucks on the resale (which is fine, of course). Any of those three brands would be fine. Obviously the "parts" warranty nod goes to Arnott - but it's kind of a moot point since you're having a shop do the work. But google a bit - rear air bags are super simple to install yourself.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 350
Likes: 106
From: Palo Alto, CA
2011 GL 350, P1 Package, HID headlamps, Blind spot assist, Parktronic, Wood steering wheel
Thanks Dennis. I would for sure wrench it myself if it wasn't covered under warranty... The shop does do Arnott's - he recommends them for the fronts. That's what was interesting to me - he only wants to stand by Billsteins or OEM in the rears. Maybe there just isn't enough margin in it for him to make his 3-year shop warranty work - the Arnott rear bags are only like $100 each from Amazon, the Billsteins are 2X that, and Mercedes 4X.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,932
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From: Allentown, PA
'08 GL 320 CDI
That's strange - but, yeah, maybe there just isn't a big enough margin there for him. Keep it simple and go with what will be covered under warranty. I'd probably go with the Bilstein.
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NGL450 w/EORP, S550
If USAA will cover the cost of the Bilstein’s and his labor that would be my pick.
Otherwise I’d spend the $300 and 20 minutes it takes to put a set of Arnotts back there and have a lifetime warranty and claim the parts cost to USAA (unless a shop has to do it).
Otherwise I’d spend the $300 and 20 minutes it takes to put a set of Arnotts back there and have a lifetime warranty and claim the parts cost to USAA (unless a shop has to do it).
