Airmatic Suspension?
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Newbie
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 6
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BMW 330I ZHP
Airmatic Suspension?
What is the expected life of the Airmaitic Suspension? I am considering it but have some reservations. Some people say that it is a Great system and worth it....some say save your money due to the high cost to maintain the Airmatic Suspension. I wish that I could test drive a ML with Airmatic.....but the dealerships seem to never have them in stock. What are your thoughts on the Airmatic Suspension....any insight will be greatly appeciated. Thanks
Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 81
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2016 GL 450
I currently own two 2013 MLs, one with Airmatic, and one without. I'm selling the one without it (although more for the lack of Distronic than anything else) and I can safely say that I will consider it a mandatory addition on all future Mercedes that I buy or lease. Well worth the cost and wait, for me.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Airmatic
What is the expected life of the Airmaitic Suspension? I am considering it but have some reservations. Some people say that it is a Great system and worth it....some say save your money due to the high cost to maintain the Airmatic Suspension. I wish that I could test drive a ML with Airmatic.....but the dealerships seem to never have them in stock. What are your thoughts on the Airmatic Suspension....any insight will be greatly appeciated. Thanks
Senior Member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 271
Likes: 2
From: Howard Co MD
'13 ML350 Bluetec for work, E550 for pleasure, & ML350 for my wife
I leased an '07 GL450 and a '10 GL450 that both had Airmatic/ADS suspension.
Currently my wife drives a '13 ML350 gasser with Airmatic, and I drive a '13 ML350 Bluetec with conventional suspension. I really don't see where the air suspension is dramatically better than regular suspension. On a sedan or coupe, I'd agree airmatic is well worth the potential problems. On an SUV, I doubt I'd ever select this option again.
Currently my wife drives a '13 ML350 gasser with Airmatic, and I drive a '13 ML350 Bluetec with conventional suspension. I really don't see where the air suspension is dramatically better than regular suspension. On a sedan or coupe, I'd agree airmatic is well worth the potential problems. On an SUV, I doubt I'd ever select this option again.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
BMW 330I ZHP
I currently own two 2013 MLs, one with Airmatic, and one without. I'm selling the one without it (although more for the lack of Distronic than anything else) and I can safely say that I will consider it a mandatory addition on all future Mercedes that I buy or lease. Well worth the cost and wait, for me.
Thanks for your feed back
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
BMW 330I ZHP
So how do you like your Airmatic suspension? If you had to do it over again.....would you still order your ML with Airmatic or with out? Does the Airmatic really improve the ride quality over standard steel spring suspension set up?
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Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 186
Likes: 1
From: Gresham, OR
2020 GLE 450
I think the ride is better with the airmatic. Of course the only comparison I have is from my '01 ML320. And for the occasional off-roading I do it is nice to be able to increase the ground clearance.
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, Canada
'06 BMW 530xi & '14 ML350
The Airmatic suspension really smooths out the jarring bumps in the road when it's in comfort mode. Bumps that you would really feel in other cars, you barely feel in the ML.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 714
Likes: 10
From: Los Angeles
2025 Panamera GTS
I leased an '07 GL450 and a '10 GL450 that both had Airmatic/ADS suspension.
Currently my wife drives a '13 ML350 gasser with Airmatic, and I drive a '13 ML350 Bluetec with conventional suspension. I really don't see where the air suspension is dramatically better than regular suspension. On a sedan or coupe, I'd agree airmatic is well worth the potential problems. On an SUV, I doubt I'd ever select this option again.
Currently my wife drives a '13 ML350 gasser with Airmatic, and I drive a '13 ML350 Bluetec with conventional suspension. I really don't see where the air suspension is dramatically better than regular suspension. On a sedan or coupe, I'd agree airmatic is well worth the potential problems. On an SUV, I doubt I'd ever select this option again.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,770
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From: Lake Oswego, OR
2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
Airmatic
Yes, ride quality is better. Also, you can increase stiffness for curvy roads, it automatically compensates for loads and you can raise the vehicle close to 4" for deep water, snow or off-road.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 981
Likes: 9
From: Switzerland
Mercedes Evo II
The airmatic is mandatory on the w166 ml63 I think it says it all 
It's really incredible just the fact it can be comfy and then very sporty... I would never buy an ml without it!
It's really incredible just the fact it can be comfy and then very sporty... I would never buy an ml without it!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 253
Likes: 2
From: Brooklyn, NY
2021 GLB35, 2007 E350, 2014 ML350 4Matic, 2008 C350 Sport
I just got my new ML with Airmatic, love playing with it watching it rising and lowering the vehicle. Feels high when at full rise. It was mandatory with my active curve system. Cool feature. 
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 898
Likes: 9
From: Woodstock, IL
His 2019 RAM Cummins Turbo Diesel Laramie; Her's 2007 ML320 CDI P3; Mine BMW R1200R
In 138000 miles the only issue I have had with my Airmatic is a $25 relay that controls the compressor burned out in the on position, and ran the compressor to it's early death. $300 fix at the dealer. That's as reliable as one could ask for.
Ride is superior to those without. (Driven in co worker vehicle as a back to back test.) The ability to raise up to clear snow and brush is great. Nice when it self lowers on the highway to improve aero and handling. Handling on back road mountain roads are really fun when you hit the Sport mode button.
And you can't beat the cool factor when you open the rear hatch to load suitcases and the people you just picked up from the airport see the rear squat down to reduce the height you have to lift. Or when you hook up a 6500 pound RV with 700 pounds of tongue weight and the vehicle rides LEVEL and handles like a Mercedes should.
Will never buy an SUV without it in the future.
Ride is superior to those without. (Driven in co worker vehicle as a back to back test.) The ability to raise up to clear snow and brush is great. Nice when it self lowers on the highway to improve aero and handling. Handling on back road mountain roads are really fun when you hit the Sport mode button.
And you can't beat the cool factor when you open the rear hatch to load suitcases and the people you just picked up from the airport see the rear squat down to reduce the height you have to lift. Or when you hook up a 6500 pound RV with 700 pounds of tongue weight and the vehicle rides LEVEL and handles like a Mercedes should.
Will never buy an SUV without it in the future.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,130
Likes: 1,117
A gaggle of MB's
Airmatic - including the Benz system - is subject to stru failure starting at/about 70K miles - and a very good reason for Extended Limited Warranty of the new car warranty.
If one strut fails and is replace, it is quite common for the strut on the opposite side to fail in the following 10K miles.
Very solid suspension system - but again strut/bag failure does happen.
Keep the beat !
If one strut fails and is replace, it is quite common for the strut on the opposite side to fail in the following 10K miles.
Very solid suspension system - but again strut/bag failure does happen.
Keep the beat !
