Why don't more people swap the airmatic for coilovers
03-06-2015, 02:25 PM
#26
Because it´s a luxury sedan, not a Honda Civic and because i like to keep it stock. Had two W211 with Airmatic and none has failed me. Arnott replacement struts are cheap and reliable.
03-09-2015, 10:24 AM
#28
MBWorld Fanatic!
The coilovers are hands down better....but they're not adjustable on the fly. The Airmatic is something you get used to having and it's not easy to let go.
03-09-2015, 02:14 PM
#29
arnott front struts suck, the rear bags are cool but you lose the additional volume block and suffer a loss of performance when using the sport 1/2 modes. they definitely handicap the car vs the oem stuff if youre staying air, but what do you expect for the price, its a good medium for those who dont care or notice. regardless, for a daily commuter ill take the airmatic, i love on the fly adjustments for entering driveways or going over speed bumps that the city thought was cool to mirror mt everest.
oem fronts, arnott rear bags, oem shocks for me. id use oem rear bags too if i didnt have to lower the subframe. just not worth it for me.
oem fronts, arnott rear bags, oem shocks for me. id use oem rear bags too if i didnt have to lower the subframe. just not worth it for me.
03-09-2015, 05:07 PM
#31
MBWorld Fanatic!
arnott front struts suck, the rear bags are cool but you lose the additional volume block and suffer a loss of performance when using the sport 1/2 modes. they definitely handicap the car vs the oem stuff if youre staying air, but what do you expect for the price, its a good medium for those who dont care or notice. regardless, for a daily commuter ill take the airmatic, i love on the fly adjustments for entering driveways or going over speed bumps that the city thought was cool to mirror mt everest.
oem fronts, arnott rear bags, oem shocks for me. id use oem rear bags too if i didnt have to lower the subframe. just not worth it for me.
oem fronts, arnott rear bags, oem shocks for me. id use oem rear bags too if i didnt have to lower the subframe. just not worth it for me.
The raising and adjustability thing is just for the cholos who need to ride it low. This does NOT improve handling (on a stock hard-part suspension), it does NOT improve stability, and it looks more stupid the lower you go.
There is a reason most "Sport" suspensions for German cars have TOPS 20-24mm of ride height reduction when you check the option box. More than that and you are affecting total geometry. 
But that's my opinion. People can do as they wish to their own car.
Coilovers seem to GREATLY improve the near-stock-rideheight handling of these cars.
03-10-2015, 04:32 AM
#32
MBWorld Fanatic!
The raising and adjustability thing is just for the cholos who need to ride it low. This does NOT improve handling (on a stock hard-part suspension), it does NOT improve stability, and it looks more stupid the lower you go. There is a reason most "Sport" suspensions for German cars have TOPS 20-24mm of ride height reduction when you check the option box. More than that and you are affecting total geometry.
But that's my opinion. People can do as they wish to their own car.
Coilovers seem to GREATLY improve the near-stock-rideheight handling of these cars.
There is a reason most "Sport" suspensions for German cars have TOPS 20-24mm of ride height reduction when you check the option box. More than that and you are affecting total geometry. But that's my opinion. People can do as they wish to their own car.
Coilovers seem to GREATLY improve the near-stock-rideheight handling of these cars.
I agree on lowering the car though, I hate slammed cars, they look ridiculous. There's a limit to lowering and then it just becomes UGLY.
03-10-2015, 01:34 PM
#33
So you're saying that the car is just as stable on Comfort as it is on Sport 2? Have you driven fast in Comfort, it does not inspire confidence.
I agree on lowering the car though, I hate slammed cars, they look ridiculous. There's a limit to lowering and then it just becomes UGLY.
I agree on lowering the car though, I hate slammed cars, they look ridiculous. There's a limit to lowering and then it just becomes UGLY.
03-10-2015, 01:36 PM
#34
MBWorld Fanatic!
So you're saying that the car is just as stable on Comfort as it is on Sport 2? Have you driven fast in Comfort, it does not inspire confidence.
I agree on lowering the car though, I hate slammed cars, they look ridiculous. There's a limit to lowering and then it just becomes UGLY.
I agree on lowering the car though, I hate slammed cars, they look ridiculous. There's a limit to lowering and then it just becomes UGLY.
Uh - I would be cautious with such a bold statement.
03-10-2015, 01:38 PM
#35
http://techcenter.mercedes-benz.com/...dc/detail.html
Whether you prefer a sporty or comfortable ride, the electronically controlled semi-active AIRMATIC air suspension with ADS II adaptive dampening system operates fully automatically. The electronics system adjusts the air springs, making them harder or softer to suit the situation. If, for example, the sensors register a sporty driving style, the comfortable base suspension is automatically stiffened. The suspension and damping system can also be manually adjusted to sporty/comfortable at the flip of a switch.
03-10-2015, 01:53 PM
#36
MBWorld Fanatic!
03-10-2015, 02:15 PM
#37
Senior Member
Whether you prefer a sporty or comfortable ride, the electronically controlled semi-active AIRMATIC air suspension with ADS II adaptive dampening system operates fully automatically. The electronics system adjusts the air springs, making them harder or softer to suit the situation. If, for example, the sensors register a sporty driving style, the comfortable base suspension is automatically stiffened. The suspension and damping system can also be manually adjusted to sporty/comfortable at the flip of a switch.]
If my car wasnt under warranty I would of already thrown out my air for coils.
03-10-2015, 02:47 PM
#38
MBWorld Fanatic!
I've had my coilovers for about 2 years now and I will never go back to airmatic, the car feels so much smoother and tighter on the road and a lot more stable at higher speeds. I do miss the raise your car future but it was a sacrifice I was willing to make and I didn't use it much anyways.
03-10-2015, 02:50 PM
#39
Senior Member
I've had my coilovers for about 2 years now and I will never go back to airmatic, the car feels so much smoother and tighter on the road and a lot more stable at higher speeds. I do miss the raise your car future but it was a sacrifice I was willing to make and I didn't use it much anyways.
03-10-2015, 04:39 PM
#40
MBWorld Fanatic!
03-10-2015, 09:11 PM
#41
MBWorld Fanatic!
03-11-2015, 02:04 AM
#42
Senior Member
In currently using bc coilovers for over 3 years now and still adjusting fine and hold up to the scrappy cobble stones of Italy.
03-11-2015, 10:27 AM
#43
Super Member
As others have said the main reason for NOT going coilovers is the ability to raise when you need it, I would have been stuck on many occasions without this.
03-11-2015, 11:21 AM
#44
MBWorld Fanatic!
Yup, that's why I am sticking with my airmatic. I didn't like replacing them with Arnotts bc of the price but I do enjoy its features. I will never go to coil overs unless somehow down the road they become adjustable on the fly.
03-11-2015, 12:50 PM
#45
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2006 E55 AMG
I'm not arguing, but I just find it interesting that so many people keep the airmatic for the ability to raise the car on command. I have had over 20 cars/trucks/motorcycles with several of them being lowered and never thought "if only I could raise the car on demand". I kind of get it, but I guess for me its not a function that I really cared about.
03-11-2015, 01:09 PM
#46
Senior Member
If one had lowered their car while still on airmatics then having the raise option helps. However, in stock height there is plenty of clearance. However, those with steep driveways or often times I find myself in under ground parking garages that prevents vehicles lower than stock very difficult to get out of. Clearly it is something you need to think about and if having a coilover outweight airmatic due to your needs then definitely do it or vise versa. You decide.
03-11-2015, 02:20 PM
#47
MBWorld Fanatic!
I'm not arguing, but I just find it interesting that so many people keep the airmatic for the ability to raise the car on command. I have had over 20 cars/trucks/motorcycles with several of them being lowered and never thought "if only I could raise the car on demand". I kind of get it, but I guess for me its not a function that I really cared about.
03-11-2015, 02:26 PM
#48
MBWorld Fanatic!
Raising it for a hill? How low is the car?
03-11-2015, 05:09 PM
#49
To each thier own. But it's simply not adjusting ad much as some people are inferring. It's nothing like the current oem stuff. It was an early version and simply does not work well. I have driven several e55s during my search. It either does little at all, or goes from somewhat jiggly to super jiggly. It's a placebo for most - they push the button and think it's acting very differently. After asking the owners of the cars I was looking at "what's that noise" and getting the answer "I don't hear anything" - the slight difference in ride is simply not that big of a deal.
Raising it for a hill? How low is the car?
Raising it for a hill? How low is the car?
