chawkins2001

Is this even possible on the W211 E55 platform? I mean there would be no more headache about worrying failing suspension setups and I wonder at that point if the E55's would no longer need aftermarket warranty's.

In my mind the only real reason to buy an aftermarket warranty on these cars is for failing airmatics. I would not buy one for anything else myself but everyone is different. Are there any threads on this anywhere?

citylightva

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/337503-coilovers-e55.html

Don't think it ever went anywhere, but I think I was wrong. I've been told the E350 sport has the same pickup points as airmatic, so it seems oh so possible...

tgoss

"Page not found" Do you have another link?

I think it'd be pretty innovative to see this done.

tgoss

Was it this one posted by emoving?

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...overs-e55.html

citylightva

YEah thats the one...Don't know why that didn't work...hhmmm

tgoss

seriously, I checked the URL and you copied it perfect

I am curious to see if it can be done, just waiting for someone to play guinea pig

chawkins2001

I am going to try and talk to the shop I use and see what they think about it.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

i have seen it done on a e500 with airmatic. they installed a KW kit. STAR DAS coding was needed to set the suspension form airmatic to steel suspension.

chawkins2001

the shop I use has STAR, do you know how involved the swap was and what KW kit was used?

shardul

iTrader: (1)

install from what i understand is very simple just yank all the airmatic stuff off, and bolt on the KW variants that are made for a e500. front strut is held by one bolt on the bottom and i think 3 on the top.

citylightva

Is Airmatic completely stand alone, or is connected to any other systems..? If it's stand alone, that does seem like it would be pretty simple. Probably wanna grab slightly stiffer springs for a 55/63 since there is more nose weight...

shardul

iTrader: (1)

it must be connected to some other system, hence you have to use STAR to disable the airmatic system.

Worth the wait

I wonder how much weight reduction this would represent?

shardul

iTrader: (1)

it would help a bit becuase you can get rid of the airmatic pump and all the assocaited hardware that comes with it. in terms of cost no counting labor, you may even out if you sell all 4 airmatic struts, i think the KW's cost 1500 ish. They only think i dont like about the KW's coilovers is that they use a plastic perch for the spring and i have seen those slip and fail a number of times on Audis and BMWs.

citylightva

Right, there's that I wondering more about all the air lines and electrics. If you can literally just rip it out without having to rewire stuff that would be great.

shardul

iTrader: (1)

on the e500 that i saw, all the lines wires pump air reserviors had come off. once you set steel suspension via star all airmatic stuff stop communication with the car, so you can remove all that

Yuille36

I talked with my shop foremen @ ASC in Arlington, he told me that it is possible to convert the airmatic to a stock strut coilover suspension on E55 & E63. He didn't comment on how much work would be involved or what the expense would be. Just that it's possible. That would definitely eliminate everyones airmatic issues. I like the airmatic myself, I can raise the nose for the steep driveway or speed bumps. And it's a definite plus in high snow. For me, as long as the car is under warranty, I'm going to keep it.

220S

I agree about keeping the airmatic while still under warranty. It makes for a definitely comfortable ride with height control and enough stiffness for decent handling. My other car has PSS-10s and adjustable sways with custom drop links. I'm always doing lots of adjusting to get it right and changing out settings for street driving or for DEs and AXs at the track. It's like Goldilocks and the 3 Bears, always trying to get it to feel just right all the time under all conditions.

Steel springs will give you a bit more simplicity and more finite adjustments. But at the cost of excellent road damping for comfort and height control. So it's going to be a trade-off either way. I'm guessing if the air struts weren't so pricey, then everybody wouldn't be too concerned in the first place. imho, the E Class cars without airmatic don't handle that great as it is. It makes me wonder if it might take a lot of work to get the chassis to really handle like a sports sedan, and what components one will really need to make a difference besides just getting rid of the air system.

citylightva

Agree with that, I don't think the actual chassis dynamics are near as good as a 5 series. Having said that, the set up on the steel spring E's is also not the most amazing in the world. I think even a good set of coilovers would improve on that. I doubt there is any way to make these as dynamic as the M's. I have a feeling their actual chassis is more rigid. If I didn't have a pano boat anchor sitting at the top of my center of gravity, I'd definitely give this a go and flog it at the track....