W211 AMG Discuss the W211 AMG's such as the E55 and the E63

Anyone ever converted airmatic to coilover setups

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jul 5, 2010 | 09:17 PM
  #1  
chawkins2001's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 7,659
Likes: 67
From: Atlanta
2006 E55 AMG
Anyone ever converted airmatic to coilover setups

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?
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2010 | 09:25 PM
  #2  
citylightva's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, TX
2007 E63, 2005 Dodge Ram Hemi
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...
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2010 | 10:10 PM
  #3  
tgoss's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
'13 GT-R AMS Alpha 9+, CLA45, E55
"Page not found" Do you have another link?

I think it'd be pretty innovative to see this done.
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2010 | 10:12 PM
  #4  
tgoss's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
'13 GT-R AMS Alpha 9+, CLA45, E55
Was it this one posted by emoving?

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...overs-e55.html
Reply
Old Jul 5, 2010 | 11:36 PM
  #5  
citylightva's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, TX
2007 E63, 2005 Dodge Ram Hemi
YEah thats the one...Don't know why that didn't work...hhmmm
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2010 | 12:32 AM
  #6  
tgoss's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,771
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
'13 GT-R AMS Alpha 9+, CLA45, E55
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
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2010 | 08:38 AM
  #7  
chawkins2001's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 7,659
Likes: 67
From: Atlanta
2006 E55 AMG
I am going to try and talk to the shop I use and see what they think about it.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2010 | 11:06 AM
  #8  
shardul's Avatar
Former Vendor of MBWorld
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 12,139
Likes: 295
From: Houston
2003 W211 E55, 2003 W220 S600
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.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 6, 2010 | 11:36 AM
  #9  
chawkins2001's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 7,659
Likes: 67
From: Atlanta
2006 E55 AMG
the shop I use has STAR, do you know how involved the swap was and what KW kit was used?
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2010 | 11:57 AM
  #10  
shardul's Avatar
Former Vendor of MBWorld
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 12,139
Likes: 295
From: Houston
2003 W211 E55, 2003 W220 S600
Originally Posted by chawkins2001
the shop I use has STAR, do you know how involved the swap was and what KW kit was used?
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.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2010 | 01:13 PM
  #11  
citylightva's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, TX
2007 E63, 2005 Dodge Ram Hemi
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...
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2010 | 01:36 PM
  #12  
shardul's Avatar
Former Vendor of MBWorld
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 12,139
Likes: 295
From: Houston
2003 W211 E55, 2003 W220 S600
Originally Posted by 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...
it must be connected to some other system, hence you have to use STAR to disable the airmatic system.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2010 | 01:39 PM
  #13  
Worth the wait's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 39
From: Northern VA
2006 E55
I wonder how much weight reduction this would represent?
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2010 | 01:45 PM
  #14  
shardul's Avatar
Former Vendor of MBWorld
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 12,139
Likes: 295
From: Houston
2003 W211 E55, 2003 W220 S600
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.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2010 | 03:10 PM
  #15  
citylightva's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, TX
2007 E63, 2005 Dodge Ram Hemi
Originally Posted by shardul
it must be connected to some other system, hence you have to use STAR to disable the airmatic system.
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.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2010 | 03:39 PM
  #16  
shardul's Avatar
Former Vendor of MBWorld
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 12,139
Likes: 295
From: Houston
2003 W211 E55, 2003 W220 S600
Originally Posted by 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.
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
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2010 | 03:53 PM
  #17  
Yuille36's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
Veteran: Marine Corps
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,020
Likes: 532
From: Alexandria, VA
07 E63 AMG, 10 C63 AMG, 07 E63 Designo, 07 E350, 09 C300, 07 C230
Convert Airmatic to struts

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.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2010 | 09:56 PM
  #18  
220S's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,336
Likes: 8
Porsche 991S, Cayenne S, 1972 BMW 3.0CS E9 Coupe
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.
Reply
Old Jul 6, 2010 | 10:39 PM
  #19  
citylightva's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, TX
2007 E63, 2005 Dodge Ram Hemi
Originally Posted by 220S
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.
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....
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:24 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE