Question about suspension and LR3
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Joined: Mar 2006
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Question about suspension and LR3
Hi, 2 questions I have......
I am very close to ordering a 2007 ML350 but have a question about the suspension. I was talking to the sales manager about the airmatic and he told me that unless I plan on carrying loads over 600lbs then I do not need the airmatic and that the ride quality is not drastically changed. I am confused because it seems that everyone on this board swears by the airmatic. I also remember reading on one of the posts that if the 350 does not have airmatic then a good option would be to add new shocks??? Forgive me but I really know nothing in regards to mechanics.
Lastly, I realize this is a MB board and it may not be the best place to ask but........anyone have an opinion on the Land Rover LR3?
Thanks in advance.
I am very close to ordering a 2007 ML350 but have a question about the suspension. I was talking to the sales manager about the airmatic and he told me that unless I plan on carrying loads over 600lbs then I do not need the airmatic and that the ride quality is not drastically changed. I am confused because it seems that everyone on this board swears by the airmatic. I also remember reading on one of the posts that if the 350 does not have airmatic then a good option would be to add new shocks??? Forgive me but I really know nothing in regards to mechanics.
Lastly, I realize this is a MB board and it may not be the best place to ask but........anyone have an opinion on the Land Rover LR3?
Thanks in advance.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Airmatic does improve the ride drastically. No need to change any shocks, just order the airmatic. Drive one with it immediatly after driving one without it and you will see. Re the LR, poor rep for reliability and high unscheduled maint.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,771
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Airmatic & LR3
Originally Posted by tammi
Hi, 2 questions I have......
I am very close to ordering a 2007 ML350 but have a question about the suspension. I was talking to the sales manager about the airmatic and he told me that unless I plan on carrying loads over 600lbs then I do not need the airmatic and that the ride quality is not drastically changed. I am confused because it seems that everyone on this board swears by the airmatic. I also remember reading on one of the posts that if the 350 does not have airmatic then a good option would be to add new shocks??? Forgive me but I really know nothing in regards to mechanics.
Lastly, I realize this is a MB board and it may not be the best place to ask but........anyone have an opinion on the Land Rover LR3?
Thanks in advance.
I am very close to ordering a 2007 ML350 but have a question about the suspension. I was talking to the sales manager about the airmatic and he told me that unless I plan on carrying loads over 600lbs then I do not need the airmatic and that the ride quality is not drastically changed. I am confused because it seems that everyone on this board swears by the airmatic. I also remember reading on one of the posts that if the 350 does not have airmatic then a good option would be to add new shocks??? Forgive me but I really know nothing in regards to mechanics.
Lastly, I realize this is a MB board and it may not be the best place to ask but........anyone have an opinion on the Land Rover LR3?
Thanks in advance.
As far as the LR3 goes, it has it's virtues, like lots of space, low range and a "truckier" look. However, I do not like the fact it weighs about 800 lb.more than the ML and suffers in acceleration, fuel economy and handling as a result. The 300hp V8 is slower than the ML350 268 hp V6. Reliability and resale are also dicier than the Mercedes, IMO.
Last edited by GregW / Oregon; Mar 31, 2006 at 10:51 AM.
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
Airmatic is a must on the ML and R-Class, why it isn't standard on the ML500/R500 like it is on the E500 is beyond me. The GL450 thankfully has Airmatic standard.
M
M
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Top heavy LR3
Originally Posted by SEXYBEEST
i would also like to add that the lr3 felt top heavy when i drove it, maybe it was me or maybe the car but i did not like it.
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From: NYC
'16 BMW X5 Xdrive 35i M Sport
Agree with the above, especially Greg's responses. I've found Airmatic particularly useful for mid to long trips when my wife and daughter usually fall asleep - selecting comfort mode usually keeps them asleep (so i can listen to Howard Stern on Sirius). The sport setting comes in handy when i drive on twisty roads, which i do regularly. If i could do it again, i would def. select Airmatic again. As for LR3, it doesn't do anything for me, but i do find myself admiring the RR Sport, if you're willing pay more and to take a chance with resale/reliability (or you could lease and not worry about these factors).
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2006
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After all the advice I called my dealer to tell him that I want to drive the 350 with airmatic becuase everyone on this board highly recommends it and I was told that it is not a popular item and they do not even have one in stock for me to test drive! I called another dealership and was told the same thing, none in stock! I don't understand, I am in a major metropolitain area (Chicago) and they don'thave this??? Frustrating.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Morristown, NJ
Mercedes Benz 06' ML350
Hey tammi,
First off, I dont have airmatic but the car is just as smooth. But I dont know what the dealer is talking about since air suspension is always superior and notable than tradtional suspensions.
Now moving on the LR3, I think that the LR3 is one helluva suv. I actually wanted it over my ML, but after considerable amount of research. I believe that my Benz was the best bang for the buck. For example, my ML is outfitted with Navi, H/K System, Satellite Radio, Personal Phone, and much more. Based on those three options that i have listed, an equivalent of that into a LR3 is already about $50k. In my opion, I think that you could get more amenities out of the ML.
Pete
First off, I dont have airmatic but the car is just as smooth. But I dont know what the dealer is talking about since air suspension is always superior and notable than tradtional suspensions.
Now moving on the LR3, I think that the LR3 is one helluva suv. I actually wanted it over my ML, but after considerable amount of research. I believe that my Benz was the best bang for the buck. For example, my ML is outfitted with Navi, H/K System, Satellite Radio, Personal Phone, and much more. Based on those three options that i have listed, an equivalent of that into a LR3 is already about $50k. In my opion, I think that you could get more amenities out of the ML.
Pete
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Well...I think the best bet is to drive both ML's 350 with and without Airmatic and see which one you like better...to be sincere, both drive very similar...however, the one with Airmatic does have a slightly softer steering wheel at times. The LR is a great looking SUV...I mean, very guy looking...rugged, tough...very nice. The LR is more of an off-road vehicle I guess...the ML although is supposed to go off-road...I don't think many people buy it with that purpose...is more of a city SUV.
Regarding Airmatic being popular...I don't really know...I live in LA and I had a very hard time finding one even to test drive...they really don't have them in stock...they can find one if they look hard but it usually comes with everything and the Appearance Package which I really do not like inside the car... found that strange but it's true, most dealers told me if you want the air suspension you have to generally order it...especially if you are set on an specific color.
Regarding Airmatic being popular...I don't really know...I live in LA and I had a very hard time finding one even to test drive...they really don't have them in stock...they can find one if they look hard but it usually comes with everything and the Appearance Package which I really do not like inside the car... found that strange but it's true, most dealers told me if you want the air suspension you have to generally order it...especially if you are set on an specific color.
Last edited by Fiorucci; Apr 18, 2006 at 01:00 PM.
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The reason your not finding it at your local dealers is because of $$. You will typically find that delaers stock what they are selling. Airmatic is not on the lots because most people do not elect to purchase it when it is. It is not because all of them are sold in short fashion. You will find it more on the 500's because they are not so much a price point product.
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From: San Francisco
School bus
Lastly, I realize this is a MB board and it may not be the best place to ask but........anyone have an opinion on the Land Rover LR3?
LR3 will out wheel the ML in a heartbeat, only important if you go wheeling. ML drives much better on the road.
Today's Land Rovers are more reliable than people give them credit for and LRNA is very generous with parts replacement, eg, I mentioned my driver's seat seemed to be lose, next thing I know after my routine service(free) they put in a brand new replacement seat. At least that's my experience.
Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]
LR3 will out wheel the ML in a heartbeat, only important if you go wheeling. ML drives much better on the road.
Today's Land Rovers are more reliable than people give them credit for and LRNA is very generous with parts replacement, eg, I mentioned my driver's seat seemed to be lose, next thing I know after my routine service(free) they put in a brand new replacement seat. At least that's my experience.
Thanks in advance.[/QUOTE]
2006, appearance, converitng, heavy, loads, lr3, ml350, moving, package, replaced, replacement, settings, shocks, suspension, towing
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