INFAMOUS AIRMATIC DROP!!
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 41
Likes: 5
s500
INFAMOUS AIRMATIC DROP!!
Hi all,
With the dropping temps I was wondering if anyone else with airmatic systems has been getting the notorious drop or sag...especially in the rear when the temps drop.
I have a 2005 s500 4matic with 160k miles...and have replaced all 4 air struts with OE sachs as well as a new compressor nearly 9 years....and just 3 months ago....i replaced the air valve (to address rear passenger strut drop when it was real cold)...while the car has been level after all this...Today I noticed that both rear corners dropped!!...the car had been parked for nearly 2 weeks without being started or moved. I know others have stated that the very cold weather freezes the water droplets in the air lines and keeps the valves from fully closing but does that make sense if the car was parked when it was warmer and the control valves within the air block (mine was replaced just 3 months ago) would already be closed?? Can anyone let me know if they have experienced this issue as well after replacing the major components of the airmatic system
Thanks all
With the dropping temps I was wondering if anyone else with airmatic systems has been getting the notorious drop or sag...especially in the rear when the temps drop.
I have a 2005 s500 4matic with 160k miles...and have replaced all 4 air struts with OE sachs as well as a new compressor nearly 9 years....and just 3 months ago....i replaced the air valve (to address rear passenger strut drop when it was real cold)...while the car has been level after all this...Today I noticed that both rear corners dropped!!...the car had been parked for nearly 2 weeks without being started or moved. I know others have stated that the very cold weather freezes the water droplets in the air lines and keeps the valves from fully closing but does that make sense if the car was parked when it was warmer and the control valves within the air block (mine was replaced just 3 months ago) would already be closed?? Can anyone let me know if they have experienced this issue as well after replacing the major components of the airmatic system
Thanks all
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 439
From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
The air supplies to the rear struts are independent - separate valves, separate lines, separate diaphragms.
I can only think of only one thing that affects both rear struts at the same time - the rear ride height sensor.
Is there any difference in the rear ride heights side to side? If so, it is possible that only one side has leaked down, and the front and rear anti-roll bars caused the still-supported side to drop to some extent.
I can only think of only one thing that affects both rear struts at the same time - the rear ride height sensor.
Is there any difference in the rear ride heights side to side? If so, it is possible that only one side has leaked down, and the front and rear anti-roll bars caused the still-supported side to drop to some extent.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 4
From: PA USA
2006 s500, 2014 e350, 2009 Cayenne GTS
Appreciate the input so far, researching this now and in the same boat....20 year old problem we have here lol.
Might need to start the car daily to refill the bags, it's 17 degrees out but tomorrow will be colder. New owner here...back of car is getting lower, will it squat down on the driveway like a lowrider or is there a stopping point? I can barely fit my finger.
Might need to start the car daily to refill the bags, it's 17 degrees out but tomorrow will be colder. New owner here...back of car is getting lower, will it squat down on the driveway like a lowrider or is there a stopping point? I can barely fit my finger.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,150
Likes: 533
Mercedes
It will stop lowering but it does get very low in the rear, but if you have custom wheels, they could hit the fenders. If you have the stock wheels and you point the front straight, it will not hit the fenders.
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 4
From: PA USA
2006 s500, 2014 e350, 2009 Cayenne GTS
Thanks. Car raised up tonight but guess I have a small leak somewhere. Plenty of videos on you tube about this issue....it's a very very cold week here in PA lol.
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Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 4
From: PA USA
2006 s500, 2014 e350, 2009 Cayenne GTS
Decided on coilovers conversion. Expecting the ride to be not as nearly nice, but future owners won't have to mess with sagging suspension. Tough call. Installation underway.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 37
Likes: 4
From: PA USA
2006 s500, 2014 e350, 2009 Cayenne GTS
Coilover conversion completed. In case anyone searches...went with "Touring Tech" brand which seemed to have a pretty good rep and available on ebay. Maybe not as good as Yellow Speed but much less. I was thinking hard about replacing with new bags and going with lowering links but the coilovers won out. Ride is definitely not as compliant over bumps in the road, no secret there, but no issues for me or future owners. Car seems to handle better on tight curves.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Mercedes S500 W220
Got my coil over done almost a year ago both on the front and rear. Now all I have to do is to get rid of the "Airmatic too low. Take it to a shop" warning from the dash. Would removing the fuse make any difference? Some have said it will disturb the suspension and ruin the geometry. So, best to leave it alone. What do you guys think? The comfort level definitely is not there. On bumps it is very noticeable. You can't be choosy.
Also, I have this SRS indicator that suddenly started showing when I moved the front passenger seat. Looked for loose connections under the seat but everything seems to be fine. The next step is to check the fuse (#12). Any thoughts?
Also, I have this SRS indicator that suddenly started showing when I moved the front passenger seat. Looked for loose connections under the seat but everything seems to be fine. The next step is to check the fuse (#12). Any thoughts?
Newbie
Joined: May 2026
Posts: 10
Likes: 6
W220 S500 Mopf
The SRS light after moving the passenger seat (I wonder why, is the wife unit not good enough anymore?) is very likely a failed occupancy sensor.
There is a cheap module available that you can plug in, which makes the car think the seat is always occupied. It's in fact so cheap, that it can be bought simply for testing purposes.
There is a cheap module available that you can plug in, which makes the car think the seat is always occupied. It's in fact so cheap, that it can be bought simply for testing purposes.
