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GLE Class (V167) Produced 2020 to present

Airmatic option advantages?

Old Aug 8, 2022 | 08:57 AM
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Airmatic option advantages?

I’m ordering a GLE450 and am considering the Airmatic option, but I’ve heard it leads to a much more bouncy and less controlled ride, even under sport plus. I had the same issue with a very soft and bouncy ride on my 2021 GLS450, don’t want to repeat the same thing again. Would the Airmatic on the GLE450 be that much different?
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Old Aug 8, 2022 | 09:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Psymac
I’m ordering a GLE450 and am considering the Airmatic option, but I’ve heard it leads to a much more bouncy and less controlled ride, even under sport plus. I had the same issue with a very soft and bouncy ride on my 2021 GLS450, don’t want to repeat the same thing again. Would the Airmatic on the GLE450 be that much different?
I can’t compare the GLE 450 to the GLS but can to the GLE 53. IMO, get Air!
I didn’t mind my 450 in C mode around town except going over speed bumps on a street near a high school. It was too soft, nearly bottoming at speed. I programmed I mode to Sport+ for the suspension and changed to I mode on trips and occasional around town. To me the Sport on the GLE 450 is very similar to C mode on my 53.
I seem to recall that there is available programming from a third party that can fix the reset to C mode each time you turn off the ignition.
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Old Aug 8, 2022 | 09:38 AM
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I only wanted the GLE with air. I think it offers flexibility and I found the springs floaty. I test drove both. On my last generation GLE's I didn't mind springs and then I had a Range Rover Sport with amazing air suspension. Air is the way to go!
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Old Aug 8, 2022 | 10:08 AM
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I agree air suspension is the way to go. The only downside is that it’s very, very expensive to replace/repair out of warranty versus traditional metal springs and struts. It’s not just a Mercedes thing, it’s expensive no matter which brand. I know some people will replace their entire suspension with metal springs versus having to replace one air strut because it’s cheaper to do that. This was for Lexus where leaking air struts were very common for them. I’m not sure if this is even possible with Mercedes.

Last edited by Frenetic; Aug 8, 2022 at 01:02 PM.
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Old Aug 8, 2022 | 03:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Frenetic
I agree air suspension is the way to go. The only downside is that it’s very, very expensive to replace/repair out of warranty versus traditional metal springs and struts. It’s not just a Mercedes thing, it’s expensive no matter which brand. I know some people will replace their entire suspension with metal springs versus having to replace one air strut because it’s cheaper to do that. This was for Lexus where leaking air struts were very common for them. I’m not sure if this is even possible with Mercedes.
Extended warranty might be advised. I got one for the very first time because of my current E-ABC system, which would be even more expensive. My W166 Airmatic did not have any issues in 60K+ miles, but my W164 did just before warranty expired.
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Old Aug 9, 2022 | 11:27 AM
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I set my "I" mode to just lower the Airmatic to the Sport mode, while keeping engine, etc. at the Comfort mode, it works well.

Last edited by jtjbt20x; Aug 9, 2022 at 11:36 AM.
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Old Aug 9, 2022 | 07:55 PM
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Drove a demo GLE450 with airmatic today. Floaty to me and no real difference between comfort and sport, so this option I’ll pass on.
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Old Aug 9, 2022 | 11:42 PM
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'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
You guys are lucky *******s for getting a 450 with airmatic. When I was getting my vehicle in the middle of car availability chaos airmatic was a myth. OP go with airmatic that is one option I miss dearly which my former ML350 have. The former drives so damn smooth and then you hear the "hsssss" sound after turning the car off while walking away. =
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Old Aug 9, 2022 | 11:44 PM
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'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
Originally Posted by Psymac
Drove a demo GLE450 with airmatic today. Floaty to me and no real difference between comfort and sport, so this option I’ll pass on.
The airmatic shines when you have the truck with a lot of load.
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Old Aug 10, 2022 | 11:40 PM
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Ditto on setting it to I mode. If want it to be your default, @rjautomotive can program this for you so it will always start on that mode.

Cheers,
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Old Aug 11, 2022 | 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Neurobit
Ditto on setting it to I mode. If want it to be your default, @rjautomotive can program this for you so it will always start on that mode.
Cheers,
If you have the settings correct, the previous configurations will pop up right after you start, asking if you want to continue with your last setting. Tap the screen to got to "I" if that's what you were using.
I always do a mini Systems check before driving off, so I notice popups.
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Old Aug 11, 2022 | 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by mikapen
If you have the settings correct, the previous configurations will pop up right after you start, asking if you want to continue with your last setting. Tap the screen to got to "I" if that's what you were using.
I always do a mini Systems check before driving off, so I notice popups.
Aware of this. It's just not automatic, and if you happen to be clipping your seatbelt or putting sunglasses on, you will miss it.

Cheers,
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