First, make sure the fluid level is correct. Note that fluid expands and contracts, so in those temps you may need a top off. If fluid is correct, check to see that all of your dampers have been replaced at least once. People overlook the dampers, not knowing the system works as such — a system. The whole premise is to absorb shock. You need proper fluid, proper level, and dampers to do that. I’d be willing to wager that takes care of your problem.

To answer your question, yes these systems last longer than these years, if tended to properly. My ‘92 500E has a similar system — hydraulic fluid, tandem pump, dampers and hydro pneumatic shocks, etc. — and it works perfectly.

GL

maw

Maw how many times have you got to replace nitrogen bombs for rear suspension in your 124-036? Exciting body motions when one is dead.

Once on a Jan’92 build. Previous owner was a picky as I am, and with a lot more money, so that was taken care by the time I bought it. Car only had 60k on it when I bought it, now maybe 80k. Those 25 years in FL did take their toll on the struts however, as I had to replace those, and of course they were not cheap.

On my S55 I’ve done 2 of the 4, the second by dealer mistake when I wanted the pulsation damper done. I plan to do the other 2 this spring along with another ABC flush and filter. But I’m sure I’m ahead of the curve there as well.

maw

I gave my 124-036 Nitrogen bombs after one failed when I learned of those ..... Special.... Body motions after one died. One wheel bump that tried to launch the rear of the car in the air at speed. To the driver this was not amusing. It got fresh rear shocks not long after.
The hydropneumatic rear suspension in 124-036 is utterly different from ABC in that ABC applies pressurized oil in real time to counteract cornering loads (keeping an even keel through turns) + adjust ride height via a bevy of sensors, valves with electronic control. The rear suspension in the 124-036 was merely an auto load leveling system; hence swaybars MB used on the .036 and all the 124 wagons.

Yes of course, the applied sensor technology in the W220 is light years ahead. But the fundamental premise, architecture and hardware are basically similar. I was pointing to those elements. ABC is like artificial intelligence compared to mere digital .036 suspension — same stuff just faster and better with updated abilities. Isn’t it the same fluid even? Had a leaky hose on the .036 a few years back...

maw

This car has both dampers and accumulators. I’m sure the part numbers are around here somewhere, and certainly your dealer parts department knows.

You’ll find that older Mercedes heads tend to call them all sorts of things — dampers, accumulators, spheres, nitrogen bombs, whatever — mainly owing to the fact that Mercedes has employed the concepts since the ‘70s. They’re the undisputed market leader in hydro pneumatic suspensions, which is why the answer to your base question is what it is. If ABC was as horrible as the chat rooms and inter webs make it out to be, Mercedes wouldn’t persist in using it for almost 50 years. The fact that people buy them and don’t know how or can’t afford to take care of them, that’s another topic altogether. And yes coilovers may or may not work, and there may or may not tradeoffs, which may or may not be acceptable.

For you, fluids and dampers is a good, fairly cheap way to start thinking about what you want to do. Do the fluid and filter every 50k, dampers every 100k, and the coilover question may never come up again. That’s just my $.02.

GL

maw