GLE 450 AIRMATIC
10-15-2023, 11:00 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
GLE 450 AIRMATIC
Hello
Can anyone advise on the benefits and reliability of upgrading to the Airmatic suspension vs the regular springs on a 2024 GLE 450. Is it worth it and is there a noticeable advantage . Has anyone had issues with reliability/defect with the airmatic. Most advise against getting it because of poor reliability and expensive repair.
Thank you
Can anyone advise on the benefits and reliability of upgrading to the Airmatic suspension vs the regular springs on a 2024 GLE 450. Is it worth it and is there a noticeable advantage . Has anyone had issues with reliability/defect with the airmatic. Most advise against getting it because of poor reliability and expensive repair.
Thank you
10-16-2023, 12:03 AM
#2
Senior Member
Hello
Can anyone advise on the benefits and reliability of upgrading to the Airmatic suspension vs the regular springs on a 2024 GLE 450. Is it worth it and is there a noticeable advantage . Has anyone had issues with reliability/defect with the airmatic. Most advise against getting it because of poor reliability and expensive repair.
Thank you
Can anyone advise on the benefits and reliability of upgrading to the Airmatic suspension vs the regular springs on a 2024 GLE 450. Is it worth it and is there a noticeable advantage . Has anyone had issues with reliability/defect with the airmatic. Most advise against getting it because of poor reliability and expensive repair.
Thank you
It’s important to me. If I can’t get it on GLE, I’ll likely be looking again at X5 with air suspension, which is also hard to get, or Cayenne.
benefits:
* While it’s subjective, more people report more comfortable ride with AIRMATIC
* you can lift the car if you venture off paved road, go into a park without well maintained roads, need to break out of show banks etc.
* you can lower the car and make the suspension stiffer in Sport mode to reduce body roll or if you prefer a stiffer ride
cons:
* shorter life span. As per my research, after 5 years is when people typically see issues. Appears to be not MB specific as people on BMW and other forum report similar ranges. I’m sure people who own it here can chime in too.
* higher repair cost. To me, it’s a somewhat expected. You are buying something more complex and the vehicle is not cheap, so higher maintenance cost is just something that comes with it.
Last edited by stktyz33; 10-16-2023 at 12:20 AM.
The following 2 users liked this post by stktyz33:
AMMBGLE (10-16-2023),
EndenDragon (10-16-2023)
10-16-2023, 08:44 AM
#3
Junior Member
disclaimer - I’m still waiting for my car to be built, so the following is a summary of my research on this and some other forums. I did order with AIRMATIC and won’t take delivery if MB takes it off the order.
It’s important to me. If I can’t get it on GLE, I’ll likely be looking again at X5 with air suspension, which is also hard to get, or Cayenne.
benefits:
* While it’s subjective, more people report more comfortable ride with AIRMATIC
* you can lift the car if you venture off paved road, go into a park without well maintained roads, need to break out of show banks etc.
* you can lower the car and make the suspension stiffer in Sport mode to reduce body roll or if you prefer a stiffer ride
cons:
* shorter life span. As per my research, after 5 years is when people typically see issues. Appears to be not MB specific as people on BMW and other forum report similar ranges. I’m sure people who own it here can chime in too.
* higher repair cost. To me, it’s a somewhat expected. You are buying something more complex and the vehicle is not cheap, so higher maintenance cost is just something that comes with it.
It’s important to me. If I can’t get it on GLE, I’ll likely be looking again at X5 with air suspension, which is also hard to get, or Cayenne.
benefits:
* While it’s subjective, more people report more comfortable ride with AIRMATIC
* you can lift the car if you venture off paved road, go into a park without well maintained roads, need to break out of show banks etc.
* you can lower the car and make the suspension stiffer in Sport mode to reduce body roll or if you prefer a stiffer ride
cons:
* shorter life span. As per my research, after 5 years is when people typically see issues. Appears to be not MB specific as people on BMW and other forum report similar ranges. I’m sure people who own it here can chime in too.
* higher repair cost. To me, it’s a somewhat expected. You are buying something more complex and the vehicle is not cheap, so higher maintenance cost is just something that comes with it.
The following users liked this post:
AMMBGLE (10-16-2023)
10-16-2023, 11:04 AM
#4
Senior Member
I have it on my 2024 GLE450. I did a long road trip from Florida to Las Vegas and back when I first got the car. I found that the AirMatic suspension provided for an excellent ride. No floating sensation at all. When on the twisty bits in the mountains, the sport setting provided improved handling with little lean on the curves. I lower the car when parking to make entry and exit easier. I also use the car wash setting that raises the car 3 1/2 inches to insure the underside gets cleaned too.
It is difficult to find one on a dealers lot to compare with the base suspension, but I have driven both versions and prefer the AirMatic version.
I can't comment on the long term reliability of the system, but I have had no problems with the car or the suspension in the first 7000 miles.
It is difficult to find one on a dealers lot to compare with the base suspension, but I have driven both versions and prefer the AirMatic version.
I can't comment on the long term reliability of the system, but I have had no problems with the car or the suspension in the first 7000 miles.
10-16-2023, 11:56 AM
#5
Member
Thread Starter
I have it on my 2024 GLE450. I did a long road trip from Florida to Las Vegas and back when I first got the car. I found that the AirMatic suspension provided for an excellent ride. No floating sensation at all. When on the twisty bits in the mountains, the sport setting provided improved handling with little lean on the curves. I lower the car when parking to make entry and exit easier. I also use the car wash setting that raises the car 3 1/2 inches to insure the underside gets cleaned too.
It is difficult to find one on a dealers lot to compare with the base suspension, but I have driven both versions and prefer the AirMatic version.
I can't comment on the long term reliability of the system, but I have had no problems with the car or the suspension in the first 7000 miles.
It is difficult to find one on a dealers lot to compare with the base suspension, but I have driven both versions and prefer the AirMatic version.
I can't comment on the long term reliability of the system, but I have had no problems with the car or the suspension in the first 7000 miles.
10-16-2023, 12:05 PM
#6
Senior Member
The external AMG package, in my understanding, doesn't change anything suspension wise. For 2024, it's front/rear fender design, grill, wheels and front brakes by my observation. I didn't see any measurable difference in ground clearance on dealer's cars. Happy to learn it's not the case.
10-16-2023, 01:23 PM
#7
Senior Member
There is no mention of lowered springs in the order guide if you purchase the AMG appearance package with the GLE 450. It does include appearance items and different brakes. The published height for all non AMG (GLE 53, GLE 63) is the same. The one you looked at may have appeared to be lower and sportier because of different wheel/tires.. The Airmatic suspensions does lower the car on the highway as speed increases. The ride is noticeably stiffer in the sport mode with the AirMatic option.
