S500 air suspension alteration？
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
S500
S500 air suspension alteration？
I just bought a used s500 year2003. I haven't driven an S class before in the past. After trying out my friends s430 recently，I noticed my s500 ride stiffer and not as floaty. I have a feeling now that the previous owner might have changed the air suspension to a non air suspension. Is that possible？
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
S500
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
S500
I just bought a used s500 year2003. I haven't driven an S class before in the past. After trying out my friends s430 recently，I noticed my s500 ride stiffer and not as floaty. I have a feeling now that the previous owner might have changed the air suspension to a non air suspension. Is that possible？
Super Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 516
Likes: 26
From: California
2018 C300
No, it is not possible. If your car goes up and down with the raise button, you have the air suspension. If not, you either have a suspension fault, or it has been converted to coils.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
S500
I think the only way to confirm is to test drive another S500 2003 or newer. I heard Mercedes changed a lot of things beginning 2003 even though the body stays the same.
Super Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 516
Likes: 26
From: California
2018 C300
Not suspension, they ride the same. ABC cars do ride better, but that's regardless of year. If you do not have larger rims with a smaller sidewall than your friend, and your air suspension raises and lowers as normal, there is not a lot else to cause a difference in ride quality. The Mercedes has 5 ball joints for each front wheel assembly and numerous other rubber points of contact that if degraded will adversely affect ride quality, although other symptoms would be present. I promise you don't have to drive another one to figure out what's going on, you just need to apply basic diagnostic techniques. The S430 is stock with 16" rims and a 60 sidewall, start with comparing yours to those. Did you try raising your car?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,150
Likes: 533
Mercedes
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
S500
Not suspension, they ride the same. ABC cars do ride better, but that's regardless of year. If you do not have larger rims with a smaller sidewall than your friend, and your air suspension raises and lowers as normal, there is not a lot else to cause a difference in ride quality. The Mercedes has 5 ball joints for each front wheel assembly and numerous other rubber points of contact that if degraded will adversely affect ride quality, although other symptoms would be present. I promise you don't have to drive another one to figure out what's going on, you just need to apply basic diagnostic techniques. The S430 is stock with 16" rims and a 60 sidewall, start with comparing yours to those. Did you try raising your car?
Another thing to point out, when I'm in a parking lot, the S430 steering is easier to turn than the S500. The S500 is stiffer, and sometimes I'm confused with driving a BMW instead, lol! It feels kind of heavier.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
S500
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
S500
Not suspension, they ride the same. ABC cars do ride better, but that's regardless of year. If you do not have larger rims with a smaller sidewall than your friend, and your air suspension raises and lowers as normal, there is not a lot else to cause a difference in ride quality. The Mercedes has 5 ball joints for each front wheel assembly and numerous other rubber points of contact that if degraded will adversely affect ride quality, although other symptoms would be present. I promise you don't have to drive another one to figure out what's going on, you just need to apply basic diagnostic techniques. The S430 is stock with 16" rims and a 60 sidewall, start with comparing yours to those. Did you try raising your car?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,150
Likes: 533
Mercedes
those are the original Mercedes airmatic struts
as to why it's riding harsher and steering is stiffer , you may need to reset your systems . Often heavy steering can result from a system that's gone into fault mode . Check the sticky thread at the top of this forum and perform all the resets . You might need to disconnect your battery .
Also 225 55 17 is not the correct size tire
as to why it's riding harsher and steering is stiffer , you may need to reset your systems . Often heavy steering can result from a system that's gone into fault mode . Check the sticky thread at the top of this forum and perform all the resets . You might need to disconnect your battery .
Also 225 55 17 is not the correct size tire
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 439
From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
Another possibility might be that you could have a disconnected or faulty wheel speed sensor. While it might seem expensive, you could try to find a local independent shop that has the MB STAR system (the dealer computer diagnostic system) and someone who knows how to use it. The tech can read all of the trouble codes that have been set in the system, and can reset all of them. After a short test drive, the tech could give you a complete list of the current trouble codes, and an estimate of what it would take to fix each.
If you post the complete list of codes on here, there are folks who can give you info on whether each is critical, and whether or not they can be fixed by a novice or an experienced DIY owner.
If you post the complete list of codes on here, there are folks who can give you info on whether each is critical, and whether or not they can be fixed by a novice or an experienced DIY owner.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
S500
those are the original Mercedes airmatic struts
as to why it's riding harsher and steering is stiffer , you may need to reset your systems . Often heavy steering can result from a system that's gone into fault mode . Check the sticky thread at the top of this forum and perform all the resets . You might need to disconnect your battery .
Also 225 55 17 is not the correct size tire
as to why it's riding harsher and steering is stiffer , you may need to reset your systems . Often heavy steering can result from a system that's gone into fault mode . Check the sticky thread at the top of this forum and perform all the resets . You might need to disconnect your battery .
Also 225 55 17 is not the correct size tire
Can you elaborate more on incorrect tire size.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
S500
those are the original Mercedes airmatic struts
as to why it's riding harsher and steering is stiffer , you may need to reset your systems . Often heavy steering can result from a system that's gone into fault mode . Check the sticky thread at the top of this forum and perform all the resets . You might need to disconnect your battery .
Also 225 55 17 is not the correct size tire
as to why it's riding harsher and steering is stiffer , you may need to reset your systems . Often heavy steering can result from a system that's gone into fault mode . Check the sticky thread at the top of this forum and perform all the resets . You might need to disconnect your battery .
Also 225 55 17 is not the correct size tire
Super Member
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 516
Likes: 26
From: California
2018 C300
225/55-17 is the OEM size for your car. You have the correct ones. The difference in ride and handling between yours and your friends car should be minimal. Since you know your air suspension works, and your tire size isn't at the extreme, the difference in ride indicates an issue. A shop will be able to scan the car and give you any trouble codes it may have, as well as inspect the suspension for worn bushings and joints. That's your best starting point now that the most basic things have been checked. If your steering is stiff, I would start with checking your power steering fluid level. It may also be due for a power steering fluid and filter change.
