Airmatic failed
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 556
Likes: 4
2011 C300 4matic, 2015 Porsche Macan S, 2006 R500 (sold)
Airmatic failed
One of the front Airmatic shock for my R500 failed (leaked air) overnight in my garage and it is now in the dealership waiting for the shock to be replaced. Hope my extended warranty pull through or it is going to be $$$$$$.
One thing I finally agree with those S-class and AMG owners. It is not "will" the airmatic shock fails, it is more "when" the airmatic shock fails. CRAP!
One thing I finally agree with those S-class and AMG owners. It is not "will" the airmatic shock fails, it is more "when" the airmatic shock fails. CRAP!
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Chandler, AZ
06 R500 / 03 CLK430 Conv
One of the front Airmatic shock for my R500 failed (leaked air) overnight in my garage and it is now in the dealership waiting for the shock to be replaced. Hope my extended warranty pull through or it is going to be $$$$$$.
One thing I finally agree with those S-class and AMG owners. It is not "will" the airmatic shock fails, it is more "when" the airmatic shock fails. CRAP!
One thing I finally agree with those S-class and AMG owners. It is not "will" the airmatic shock fails, it is more "when" the airmatic shock fails. CRAP!
I don't think changing struts at 64,000 should be expected on a car that carries a premium price tag. I'd love to be able to have the time to get together with other owners that have airmatic failures and investigate a legal avenue.
How many miles do you have? If you have the kind of mileage I have, be prepared to change the other front side too.
My advice, if you are buying an airmatic equiped vehicle with over 50,000 miles, put money aside for a warranty, or to pay for new struts, because as you say it's not 'if' but 'when'.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 556
Likes: 4
2011 C300 4matic, 2015 Porsche Macan S, 2006 R500 (sold)
Join the club, my 2006 R500 is currently getting two new front struts, both developed leaks at only 64,000 miles. I'm replacing them with refurb ones from Arnott.
I don't think changing struts at 64,000 should be expected on a car that carries a premium price tag. I'd love to be able to have the time to get together with other owners that have airmatic failures and investigate a legal avenue.
How many miles do you have? If you have the kind of mileage I have, be prepared to change the other front side too.
My advice, if you are buying an airmatic equiped vehicle with over 50,000 miles, put money aside for a warranty, or to pay for new struts, because as you say it's not 'if' but 'when'.
I don't think changing struts at 64,000 should be expected on a car that carries a premium price tag. I'd love to be able to have the time to get together with other owners that have airmatic failures and investigate a legal avenue.
How many miles do you have? If you have the kind of mileage I have, be prepared to change the other front side too.
My advice, if you are buying an airmatic equiped vehicle with over 50,000 miles, put money aside for a warranty, or to pay for new struts, because as you say it's not 'if' but 'when'.
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 141
Likes: 11
From: Mt. Sinai, NY
2013 E350 wagon cuprite brown; sold:2014 ML63; R500 Saks Edition; R500; more W124s than I can count
my r500. also w/ full airmatic, had both front struts replaced by the prior owner under warranty at about 40k miles [!] and no trouble since. the car now has 55k miles...
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40
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2004 G500, 2022 GLS450
RF replaced a month or so ago. 70K miles. Replaced under CPO warranty.
My Audi allroad has a similar setup. As mentioned above, Arnott Industries is the place to go for replacements if you are out of warranty. Excellent customer service.
My Audi allroad has a similar setup. As mentioned above, Arnott Industries is the place to go for replacements if you are out of warranty. Excellent customer service.
Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Mount Pleasant SC
R350
Since it's my wife's car, I don't know if she has the airmatic or not, but both rear struts are being replaced at the dealer now. We've been complaining about a bump/thump sound in the rear for a good while.
What are the symptons of a failed airmatics?
What are the symptons of a failed airmatics?
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Chandler, AZ
06 R500 / 03 CLK430 Conv
I think there was a bulletin for thump noises from rear suspension. My advice, do everything you can to get all struts changed under warranty as they don't last that long.
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Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Mount Pleasant SC
R350
I hadn't noticed one side or the other riding low in the AM or any any time. The car does have some kind of rubber bags in the coils in back. Would that be part of the airmatic?
Right now, I'm in discussions with them to fix a broken mount or brace between the catalytic converters. Seems it has broken off and vibrates badly until it warms up. They say it's not covered under warrranty.
Right now, I'm in discussions with them to fix a broken mount or brace between the catalytic converters. Seems it has broken off and vibrates badly until it warms up. They say it's not covered under warrranty.
The usual problem is air leaking out the strut, so a corner or front or back sits much lower than normal in the morning.
I think there was a bulletin for thump noises from rear suspension. My advice, do everything you can to get all struts changed under warranty as they don't last that long.
I think there was a bulletin for thump noises from rear suspension. My advice, do everything you can to get all struts changed under warranty as they don't last that long.
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1
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Airmatic sucks galore!!
Mercedes Listen Up.
Obviously this is not something random that happens as I find owners complaining about the same. This should be part of a recall and not an expensive repair by the owners. Sad that dont even come up with replacement parts a little more inexpensive but other companies do because they see where Mercedes is failing and simply ripping people off. So my airmatic compressor and driver side strut on my 2006 r350 w251 out of warranty but under 80000 kms.. 72000kms to be exact, has failed...and as such Im looking at $1300 for the strut and $2200 for the compressor plus labour costs to replace...are u f..ing kidding me??? lol. Needless to say the disapointement is there and I hereby advise any potential buyers to beware of the airmatic crap. As someone pointed out its not a question of it will fail...but when. My guess will be just as soon as it is out of warranty. Mercedes should take responsability for such poor design in parts and try to resolve and make good with the owners that bought this crap. I m ditching the car just after I somehow try to get a makeshift repair with some duck tape or something cause I will not pay to replace with with the same crap.
Enough said.
Buyers beware..
If anyone has a more inexpesive solution for my problem i would really love to hear from You ... Thank You!
Hilario Ferreira
Obviously this is not something random that happens as I find owners complaining about the same. This should be part of a recall and not an expensive repair by the owners. Sad that dont even come up with replacement parts a little more inexpensive but other companies do because they see where Mercedes is failing and simply ripping people off. So my airmatic compressor and driver side strut on my 2006 r350 w251 out of warranty but under 80000 kms.. 72000kms to be exact, has failed...and as such Im looking at $1300 for the strut and $2200 for the compressor plus labour costs to replace...are u f..ing kidding me??? lol. Needless to say the disapointement is there and I hereby advise any potential buyers to beware of the airmatic crap. As someone pointed out its not a question of it will fail...but when. My guess will be just as soon as it is out of warranty. Mercedes should take responsability for such poor design in parts and try to resolve and make good with the owners that bought this crap. I m ditching the car just after I somehow try to get a makeshift repair with some duck tape or something cause I will not pay to replace with with the same crap.
Enough said.
Buyers beware..
If anyone has a more inexpesive solution for my problem i would really love to hear from You ... Thank You!
Hilario Ferreira
Last edited by hilariof; Nov 30, 2010 at 12:26 AM. Reason: grammar
Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Mount Pleasant SC
R350
That's not good to hear. I've been priming the pump with my wife to ditch the car when the extended warranty goes out.
Looking at the rear shocks that were replaced, they looked like simple shocks. Hard to believe they are mega dollars unless we don't have airmatic.
What are the round air bag looking things on the rear control arms?
Looking at the rear shocks that were replaced, they looked like simple shocks. Hard to believe they are mega dollars unless we don't have airmatic.
What are the round air bag looking things on the rear control arms?
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 574
Likes: 2
From: Pennsylvania, USA
2011 GL450, '06 R500 traded, '08 ML350 sold
That's not good to hear. I've been priming the pump with my wife to ditch the car when the extended warranty goes out.
Looking at the rear shocks that were replaced, they looked like simple shocks. Hard to believe they are mega dollars unless we don't have airmatic.
What are the round air bag looking things on the rear control arms?
Looking at the rear shocks that were replaced, they looked like simple shocks. Hard to believe they are mega dollars unless we don't have airmatic.
What are the round air bag looking things on the rear control arms?
Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Mount Pleasant SC
R350
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 574
Likes: 2
From: Pennsylvania, USA
2011 GL450, '06 R500 traded, '08 ML350 sold
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 556
Likes: 4
2011 C300 4matic, 2015 Porsche Macan S, 2006 R500 (sold)
Mercedes Listen Up.
Obviously this is not something random that happens as I find owners complaining about the same. This should be part of a recall and not an expensive repair by the owners. Sad that dont even come up with replacement parts a little more inexpensive but other companies do because they see where Mercedes is failing and simply ripping people off. So my airmatic compressor and driver side strut on my 2006 r350 w251 out of warranty but under 80000 kms.. 72000kms to be exact, has failed...and as such Im looking at $1300 for the strut and $2200 for the compressor plus labour costs to replace...are u f..ing kidding me??? lol. Needless to say the disapointement is there and I hereby advise any potential buyers to beware of the airmatic crap. As someone pointed out its not a question of it will fail...but when. My guess will be just as soon as it is out of warranty. Mercedes should take responsability for such poor design in parts and try to resolve and make good with the owners that bought this crap. I m ditching the car just after I somehow try to get a makeshift repair with some duck tape or something cause I will not pay to replace with with the same crap.
Enough said.
Buyers beware..
If anyone has a more inexpesive solution for my problem i would really love to hear from You ... Thank You!
Hilario Ferreira
Obviously this is not something random that happens as I find owners complaining about the same. This should be part of a recall and not an expensive repair by the owners. Sad that dont even come up with replacement parts a little more inexpensive but other companies do because they see where Mercedes is failing and simply ripping people off. So my airmatic compressor and driver side strut on my 2006 r350 w251 out of warranty but under 80000 kms.. 72000kms to be exact, has failed...and as such Im looking at $1300 for the strut and $2200 for the compressor plus labour costs to replace...are u f..ing kidding me??? lol. Needless to say the disapointement is there and I hereby advise any potential buyers to beware of the airmatic crap. As someone pointed out its not a question of it will fail...but when. My guess will be just as soon as it is out of warranty. Mercedes should take responsability for such poor design in parts and try to resolve and make good with the owners that bought this crap. I m ditching the car just after I somehow try to get a makeshift repair with some duck tape or something cause I will not pay to replace with with the same crap.
Enough said.
Buyers beware..
If anyone has a more inexpesive solution for my problem i would really love to hear from You ... Thank You!
Hilario Ferreira
Airmatic:
Passenger front Hyprophneumat (Airmatic Strut): $1144
Valve Block: $246
Labor: 770
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Chandler, AZ
06 R500 / 03 CLK430 Conv
Mercedes Listen Up.
Obviously this is not something random that happens as I find owners complaining about the same. This should be part of a recall and not an expensive repair by the owners. Sad that dont even come up with replacement parts a little more inexpensive but other companies do because they see where Mercedes is failing and simply ripping people off. So my airmatic compressor and driver side strut on my 2006 r350 w251 out of warranty but under 80000 kms.. 72000kms to be exact, has failed...and as such Im looking at $1300 for the strut and $2200 for the compressor plus labour costs to replace...are u f..ing kidding me??? lol. Needless to say the disapointement is there and I hereby advise any potential buyers to beware of the airmatic crap. As someone pointed out its not a question of it will fail...but when. My guess will be just as soon as it is out of warranty. Mercedes should take responsability for such poor design in parts and try to resolve and make good with the owners that bought this crap. I m ditching the car just after I somehow try to get a makeshift repair with some duck tape or something cause I will not pay to replace with with the same crap.
Enough said.
Buyers beware..
If anyone has a more inexpesive solution for my problem i would really love to hear from You ... Thank You!
Hilario Ferreira
Obviously this is not something random that happens as I find owners complaining about the same. This should be part of a recall and not an expensive repair by the owners. Sad that dont even come up with replacement parts a little more inexpensive but other companies do because they see where Mercedes is failing and simply ripping people off. So my airmatic compressor and driver side strut on my 2006 r350 w251 out of warranty but under 80000 kms.. 72000kms to be exact, has failed...and as such Im looking at $1300 for the strut and $2200 for the compressor plus labour costs to replace...are u f..ing kidding me??? lol. Needless to say the disapointement is there and I hereby advise any potential buyers to beware of the airmatic crap. As someone pointed out its not a question of it will fail...but when. My guess will be just as soon as it is out of warranty. Mercedes should take responsability for such poor design in parts and try to resolve and make good with the owners that bought this crap. I m ditching the car just after I somehow try to get a makeshift repair with some duck tape or something cause I will not pay to replace with with the same crap.
Enough said.
Buyers beware..
If anyone has a more inexpesive solution for my problem i would really love to hear from You ... Thank You!
Hilario Ferreira
Be prepared to replace the other side soon too. It is subjected to more or less the same wear.
Last edited by y2b4sure; Nov 30, 2010 at 08:38 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Chandler, AZ
06 R500 / 03 CLK430 Conv
Here's the best guide I could find, https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...there-any.html
It's for a 2wd W211 E-Class, so the procedure will be slightly different. One major difference is dealing with the half shaft if your R is 4wd, which most are.
It's for a 2wd W211 E-Class, so the procedure will be slightly different. One major difference is dealing with the half shaft if your R is 4wd, which most are.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Chandler, AZ
06 R500 / 03 CLK430 Conv
From the reading that I did, it seems that Airmatic struts don't seem to last much past 60k - 70k miles. If you are going to own the car during that period, be prepared to replace them, or get a warranty.
At least now when the time comes to sell my car, the new owner can have comfort knowing the struts have already been replaced.
I do like the smooth ride with Airmatic, but the system should last MUCH longer, especially since MB is a premium brand.
At least now when the time comes to sell my car, the new owner can have comfort knowing the struts have already been replaced.
I do like the smooth ride with Airmatic, but the system should last MUCH longer, especially since MB is a premium brand.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 556
Likes: 4
2011 C300 4matic, 2015 Porsche Macan S, 2006 R500 (sold)
From the reading that I did, it seems that Airmatic struts don't seem to last much past 60k - 70k miles. If you are going to own the car during that period, be prepared to replace them, or get a warranty.
At least now when the time comes to sell my car, the new owner can have comfort knowing the struts have already been replaced.
I do like the smooth ride with Airmatic, but the system should last MUCH longer, especially since MB is a premium brand.
At least now when the time comes to sell my car, the new owner can have comfort knowing the struts have already been replaced.
I do like the smooth ride with Airmatic, but the system should last MUCH longer, especially since MB is a premium brand.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 2
From: SF
07 E63 06 CLK55 Cab 03 P-car C4S
Mercedes Listen Up.
Obviously this is not something random that happens as I find owners complaining about the same. This should be part of a recall and not an expensive repair by the owners. Sad that dont even come up with replacement parts a little more inexpensive but other companies do because they see where Mercedes is failing and simply ripping people off. So my airmatic compressor and driver side strut on my 2006 r350 w251 out of warranty but under 80000 kms.. 72000kms to be exact, has failed...and as such Im looking at $1300 for the strut and $2200 for the compressor plus labour costs to replace...are u f..ing kidding me??? lol. Needless to say the disapointement is there and I hereby advise any potential buyers to beware of the airmatic crap. As someone pointed out its not a question of it will fail...but when. My guess will be just as soon as it is out of warranty. Mercedes should take responsability for such poor design in parts and try to resolve and make good with the owners that bought this crap. I m ditching the car just after I somehow try to get a makeshift repair with some duck tape or something cause I will not pay to replace with with the same crap.
Enough said.
Buyers beware..
If anyone has a more inexpesive solution for my problem i would really love to hear from You ... Thank You!
Obviously this is not something random that happens as I find owners complaining about the same. This should be part of a recall and not an expensive repair by the owners. Sad that dont even come up with replacement parts a little more inexpensive but other companies do because they see where Mercedes is failing and simply ripping people off. So my airmatic compressor and driver side strut on my 2006 r350 w251 out of warranty but under 80000 kms.. 72000kms to be exact, has failed...and as such Im looking at $1300 for the strut and $2200 for the compressor plus labour costs to replace...are u f..ing kidding me??? lol. Needless to say the disapointement is there and I hereby advise any potential buyers to beware of the airmatic crap. As someone pointed out its not a question of it will fail...but when. My guess will be just as soon as it is out of warranty. Mercedes should take responsability for such poor design in parts and try to resolve and make good with the owners that bought this crap. I m ditching the car just after I somehow try to get a makeshift repair with some duck tape or something cause I will not pay to replace with with the same crap.
Enough said.
Buyers beware..
If anyone has a more inexpesive solution for my problem i would really love to hear from You ... Thank You!
I got S-class class action lawsuit w/ attys for some windshield debris stuff...next time, we should keep these attys names and then contact them for the airmatic struts. I have 2 replaced around 60k miles - with a few weeks of one another. Thank goodness for CPO - but what about after that? From my usage, I'm still not convinced that airmatics is better than having the conventional suspension. And while the attys are at it, they should include the ABC system and cars on a separate lawsuits.
PL
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Chandler, AZ
06 R500 / 03 CLK430 Conv
