Coilovers on an E55
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3-five-five/ TUNDRA/ 07 997 cab
Coilovers on an E55
What would it take to do this to get rid of the airmatic? Would it throw up a warning light that could be overridden? This would have to greatly enhance the handeling of these cars.
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3-five-five/ TUNDRA/ 07 997 cab
I cant imagine a good set would cost much over $3000 and at an airmatic shock at $1200 a piece and then a pump for $2500, I am thinking coilovers are the way to go. This may be something SW gets done to his new beast.
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shrimp boat
The main question is the airmatic and normal shocks on the W211 interchangeable? If they are then I don't think it'll be that much. Because there are aftermarket coilovers for the non-airmatic W211. Just adapt those to the E55 and golden. That'll also save a ton of weight too.
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Thread Starter
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3-five-five/ TUNDRA/ 07 997 cab
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From: Dallas, TX
2007 E63, 2005 Dodge Ram Hemi
I'm sure this is possible, but I feel like it can't be very easy or someone would've done it by now since everyone *****es about Airmatic (I personally hate it too). It'd be sweet if it's just that easy though...
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From: Houston, TX
2006 E55, 2012 Jeep SRT, 2008 G37s 6MT (The Mrs.), 2005 Explorer
Looks like the parts are out there. Might have to grab stock parts from a non-airmatic car and something like this.
http://thmotorsports.com/kw_suspensi...025005-06-2006
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...-w211-55s.html
http://thmotorsports.com/kw_suspensi...025005-06-2006
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...-w211-55s.html
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,217
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3-five-five/ TUNDRA/ 07 997 cab
Looks like the parts are out there. Might have to grab stock parts from a non-airmatic car and something like this.
http://thmotorsports.com/kw_suspensi...025005-06-2006
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...-w211-55s.html
http://thmotorsports.com/kw_suspensi...025005-06-2006
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...-w211-55s.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Dallas, TX
2007 E63, 2005 Dodge Ram Hemi
I would love to have coilovers on my car if I didn't have a Pano piggy roof...that flexy piece of glass will always hold my car back...
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From: merryland
cornfed gtr and m3
I want to know if this works!!!!!!!
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From: Northern VA
W211
i think the problem is finding a shop to be the first to do so?? and someone has to be the guinea pig for them to work on it? But its a route i would go should my airmatic leaks and not under warranty anymore.
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From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
It is not a plug and play.
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...uspension.html
Years ago I thought it would make the car handle better, now that I have done some work on the AirMatic I am not so sure. We need a skid pad and a e350 w air matic and a E350 w steel suspension a G meeter. Can a 4100 lb 4 door car handle? My answer no but that comes from a 1800 lb. mid-engine point of view. I like the comfort for long trips my fatigue level is greatly reduced.
The only real advantage might be reliability, the rebuilt struts now cost the same as a KW coilover so cost is not much of a factor.
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...uspension.html
Years ago I thought it would make the car handle better, now that I have done some work on the AirMatic I am not so sure. We need a skid pad and a e350 w air matic and a E350 w steel suspension a G meeter. Can a 4100 lb 4 door car handle? My answer no but that comes from a 1800 lb. mid-engine point of view. I like the comfort for long trips my fatigue level is greatly reduced.
The only real advantage might be reliability, the rebuilt struts now cost the same as a KW coilover so cost is not much of a factor.
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From: Houston, TX
2006 E55, 2012 Jeep SRT, 2008 G37s 6MT (The Mrs.), 2005 Explorer
It is not a plug and play.
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...uspension.html
Years ago I thought it would make the car handle better, now that I have done some work on the AirMatic I am not so sure. We need a skid pad and a e350 w air matic and a E350 w steel suspension a G meeter. Can a 4100 lb 4 door car handle? My answer no but that comes from a 1800 lb. mid-engine point of view. I like the comfort for long trips my fatigue level is greatly reduced.
The only real advantage might be reliability, the rebuilt struts now cost the same as a KW coilover so cost is not much of a factor.
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...uspension.html
Years ago I thought it would make the car handle better, now that I have done some work on the AirMatic I am not so sure. We need a skid pad and a e350 w air matic and a E350 w steel suspension a G meeter. Can a 4100 lb 4 door car handle? My answer no but that comes from a 1800 lb. mid-engine point of view. I like the comfort for long trips my fatigue level is greatly reduced.
The only real advantage might be reliability, the rebuilt struts now cost the same as a KW coilover so cost is not much of a factor.
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From: merryland
cornfed gtr and m3
I honestly am not so much concerned with the handling improvements that might occur with coil-overs, as I am with the reliability. Too many areas of the airmatic suspension that can fail.
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From: Northern VA
2006 E55
This is extremely common in the Audi RS6 community.
They have had it way worse in regards to air suspension problems. Their most common and cost effective solution was to throw CO's on and ditch the DRC system.
I for one appreciate the smoothness of the air suspension, especially now that I have lowered it slightly with an ELM. I have had my share of cars with tight suspensions and am really enjoying the change. Charging the twisties occurs a lot less in my daily commute than I prefer...lol.
They have had it way worse in regards to air suspension problems. Their most common and cost effective solution was to throw CO's on and ditch the DRC system.
I for one appreciate the smoothness of the air suspension, especially now that I have lowered it slightly with an ELM. I have had my share of cars with tight suspensions and am really enjoying the change. Charging the twisties occurs a lot less in my daily commute than I prefer...lol.
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From: Tar Heel State
His wife crazy
MB engineered these cars as highway missiles, with a lot of comfort. I would not think of running the Tail of The Dragon in the E55, nor would I want to drive an Elise cross country.
As for reliability, I too would love to have a CO suspension vs. airmatic. Maybe when my warranty is up in 5 years, there will be a well tested solution available. SW certainly has the resources to explore this, and I wish him god speed, as we will all benefit from his research.
As for reliability, I too would love to have a CO suspension vs. airmatic. Maybe when my warranty is up in 5 years, there will be a well tested solution available. SW certainly has the resources to explore this, and I wish him god speed, as we will all benefit from his research.
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From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
Gentlemen,
I just talked to my Shop Foreman at American Service Center in Arlington, VA. He said that the airmatic suspension can be replaced with the stock or coilover setup. The bolt holes are the same for either setup. You will need to use the Star to disable the airmatic functions though. So you now have a green light to start modifications, please post pictures.
I just talked to my Shop Foreman at American Service Center in Arlington, VA. He said that the airmatic suspension can be replaced with the stock or coilover setup. The bolt holes are the same for either setup. You will need to use the Star to disable the airmatic functions though. So you now have a green light to start modifications, please post pictures.
