Arnott or coilovers?
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Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 75
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From: Phoenix az
E55
Arnott or coilovers?
I see this subject has been covered greatly as i searched.. i just had my rear right airmatic give up and now im stuck between getting it fixed or just doing a full coilover swap. Now my question is, is the airmatic what makes these cars ride so well? This is my first mercedes and it really feels like im riding on a cloud everytime i take the car out. Some people say the airmatic is a nightmare.. so i would want to get rid of it for that reason, but i also wouldnt want to lose the ride quality that i already have. So i understand that we have a compressor, air lines and some sensors other then the air spring that can go bad as well.. how expensive are these sensors and are they hard to get to? Anyone on here with arnotts that have had them last years with lots of miles? I have been having horrible luck with my car since i bought it 2 months ago, and i just want to be able to keep/drive my car longer then 2 days. Basically i just want to know what is better in the long run.
I dont mind being down for repairs but i dont like not being able to drive my car for a week while i wait for parts. If i were to replace all the suspension with arnotts could a sensor or air-line leak leave the car basically undrivable like it is now? I would hate to spend 2000$ to replace all the air springs and still have possibility of getting stranded. Is the ride quality even in the air suspension? Thanks all replies and experience's will be greatly appreciated
I dont mind being down for repairs but i dont like not being able to drive my car for a week while i wait for parts. If i were to replace all the suspension with arnotts could a sensor or air-line leak leave the car basically undrivable like it is now? I would hate to spend 2000$ to replace all the air springs and still have possibility of getting stranded. Is the ride quality even in the air suspension? Thanks all replies and experience's will be greatly appreciated
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Joined: Sep 2016
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From: Stockton CA
92 W124 500E, 93 W201 190E, 11 C207 E350, 05 W211 E55
Air ride does in fact make for a smooth ride as compared to coils, this is especially true for the many cars (mine included) with larger wheels and lower profile tires. Keep it Original..
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From: Worldwide
2007 Mercedes E63 AMG
i enjoy air ride.
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From: New Zealand
I have had coilovers before in other cars but I will do whatever is necessary to keep the airmatic going. I use the raise button every time I do maintenance or enter a crappy carpark. Very comfortable ride. Get the arnotts.
Edit: you probably found in your search, the arnotts remove the rear air tanks which is one less part to fail (leak). I believe the sensors are cheap, the compressor can burn out but usually when there is a failing air spring for a long time. It's always possible to get stranded by one thing or another.
Edit: you probably found in your search, the arnotts remove the rear air tanks which is one less part to fail (leak). I believe the sensors are cheap, the compressor can burn out but usually when there is a failing air spring for a long time. It's always possible to get stranded by one thing or another.
Last edited by tw2; Aug 9, 2017 at 09:32 PM.
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Joined: Oct 2011
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From: USA
'06 E55 AMG
Another vote for staying Airmatic - especially if you like the ride quality and adjustability.
I really enjoy the Arnotts in conjunction with the LoMo M1. Can lower the car via the steering wheel buttons, turn on/off speed sensitive ride height, and even raise the car higher than the stock raised mode, for servicing.
I really enjoy the Arnotts in conjunction with the LoMo M1. Can lower the car via the steering wheel buttons, turn on/off speed sensitive ride height, and even raise the car higher than the stock raised mode, for servicing.
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From: Worldwide
2007 Mercedes E63 AMG
yah...as much as my Audi with KW V3's rides better and handles better for the most part, but the convenience of air ride outweighs the cons for me. for long highway driving the air ride out performs the coilovers, but for city driving and taking turns obviously adjustable dampening coilovers can shine.
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Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Tampa Bay, FL
05 E55, 98 CLK320
I like the active control in sport mode and raising. Putting the car in sport 2 and going around corners/on ramps at high speeds feels like I'm in a race car.
If you can afford it stay with the airmatic.
If you can afford it stay with the airmatic.
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From: Worldwide
2007 Mercedes E63 AMG
race car...haha far from it. the dampening although may have been good in 2007 is pretty horrible for today's standards.
i wished there was a company able to custom valve our airmatic shocks. i contacted Arnott, and they said no to custom work. I even asked if i could batch order rebuilds with different valving and they told me no. dumb if you ask me.
i wished there was a company able to custom valve our airmatic shocks. i contacted Arnott, and they said no to custom work. I even asked if i could batch order rebuilds with different valving and they told me no. dumb if you ask me.
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From: Tampa Bay, FL
05 E55, 98 CLK320
Well, when I have it in comfort and then tap that button down on the highway the car hunkers down like a little turtle getting ready for battle, so to me it's a highway racecar. You can fell the suspension doing work keeping the car stable over bumps and when I turn, that by itself is enough for me to want to keep this magic going.
This car just wouldn't feel the same without the active suspension. I don't want to leave it up to fluid dampers to decide mechanically, I like what the computer brings to the table.
This car just wouldn't feel the same without the active suspension. I don't want to leave it up to fluid dampers to decide mechanically, I like what the computer brings to the table.
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Joined: Oct 2016
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2012 E63 AMG
That makes me the lone voice for coilovers. I got Strutmasters. Mechanics at indy shops and even the Mercedes dealer told me they were surprised to discover the new suspension when they got to work. I noticed no difference in the ride, and I don't have to worry about waking up to a slammed car because of one leak in the myriad of parts that can fail in a ten year old air setup.
The main disadvantage is no ride-leveling, which was a big deal when I had the car fully packed driving cross country and back. The back end was pretty low, but there were no problems.
The main disadvantage is no ride-leveling, which was a big deal when I had the car fully packed driving cross country and back. The back end was pretty low, but there were no problems.
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From: Worldwide
2007 Mercedes E63 AMG
i'd only convert if my car came with ABC suspension. but thats just me.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: San Diego
2004 E55 AMG
I'd consider KW V2 or V3.
I have adjusted the rebound on my KW V2 to allow for a very, very good ride (a little more compliant than Sport setting with the airmatic)
The car is admittedly very low, but it rides amazingly. The car's handling is transformed, this cannot be more emphasized by me.
The weight loss, adjust-ability, KW warranty and not having to worry about being stranded are just pluses.
The negatives are the entry price (I paid $3500 installed) and no longer having the ability to go a soft or high ride when absolutely necessary.
My Airmatic **** itself at 29,990 miles. BOTH front struts. That was a surprise in itself.
I have adjusted the rebound on my KW V2 to allow for a very, very good ride (a little more compliant than Sport setting with the airmatic)
The car is admittedly very low, but it rides amazingly. The car's handling is transformed, this cannot be more emphasized by me.
The weight loss, adjust-ability, KW warranty and not having to worry about being stranded are just pluses.
The negatives are the entry price (I paid $3500 installed) and no longer having the ability to go a soft or high ride when absolutely necessary.
My Airmatic **** itself at 29,990 miles. BOTH front struts. That was a surprise in itself.
Last edited by eightyseven; Aug 10, 2017 at 05:43 PM.
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From: NZ
2004 E55 AMG, 2006 CLS63, 2004 ML55, 2014 E350 sport
race car...haha far from it. the dampening although may have been good in 2007 is pretty horrible for today's standards.
i wished there was a company able to custom valve our airmatic shocks. i contacted Arnott, and they said no to custom work. I even asked if i could batch order rebuilds with different valving and they told me no. dumb if you ask me.
i wished there was a company able to custom valve our airmatic shocks. i contacted Arnott, and they said no to custom work. I even asked if i could batch order rebuilds with different valving and they told me no. dumb if you ask me.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 75
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From: Phoenix az
E55
Thanks for the replies everyone! 🙂 I think im going to just go with the arnotts for right now. Can anyone send me a link to witch ones will work for my car? I saw parts geek had some for cheap but say there for a e55 wagon??
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2007 Mercedes E63 AMG
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...ode-bad-2.html
Last edited by hachiroku; Aug 14, 2017 at 05:10 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2015
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From: Los Angeles
'06 R53
Apparently Bilstein offers replacements for a cool $2700:
Rears (need two, unsure if side specific):
http://www.buyautoparts.com/buynow/2...ng/76-10058_3B
Front-left:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/bsn-44-143657
Front-right:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/bsn-44-143664
Maybe they would custom valve a set?
Last edited by bizzy247; Aug 15, 2017 at 03:13 PM.
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From: Worldwide
2007 Mercedes E63 AMG
theirs are OEM replacements...i asked if they would do custom builds or valving if a specific quantity was ordered. they said "we do not do this type of work"
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From: Los Angeles
'06 R53
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From: DownEast Maine
CLS 55 AMG E500 ML320
What is it you are trying to achieve with custom valving? I get the impression you have enough knowledge to just about do it yourself. Maybe with a few more tools?
Personally I'd like softer in comfort and firmer in sport 2. Don't really need an in between setting.
Personally I'd like softer in comfort and firmer in sport 2. Don't really need an in between setting.
