Beware: Cars with Lowered AIRMATIC
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Banned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 49
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From: North Las Vegas & La Jolla, CA
Beware: Cars with Lowered AIRMATIC
I was at my local dealer waiting for my car to be released from service (had a due bill) when I saw my friend who works as a tech in the back.
He asked me to walk with him to the service bays where he showed me a W211 E500 he was working on. The car was on the ground - and I mean ON THE GROUND! The side skirts were sitting a few inches from the ground.
So I asked what was up with this car (only 4,280 miles), and he said that it has an AIRMATIC failure and he advised that it will NOT be covered under warranty.
I was in shock, then I asked "really? what's the problem?"
He said that the car had been there for 2 days and the trouble was originating from the front suspension. They were going to replace the front suspension units under warranty when they discovered WASHERS in the ride height sensor links.
Unfortunately, a regional rep from MBUSA was onsite watching him by his workbay when the front suspension was pulled apart. The rep was interested to know what caused the failure.
The MBUSA rep immediately flagged it on the RO as "suspension warranty void" after discovering the washers.
Now rumor has it that a bulletin is to be released from MBUSA to all dealers where the suspension warranty will be automatically voided if they find non-authorized washers on any car equipped with electronic suspension.
I am crossing my fingers. I wonder if this also applies to lowering modules.
He asked me to walk with him to the service bays where he showed me a W211 E500 he was working on. The car was on the ground - and I mean ON THE GROUND! The side skirts were sitting a few inches from the ground.
So I asked what was up with this car (only 4,280 miles), and he said that it has an AIRMATIC failure and he advised that it will NOT be covered under warranty.
I was in shock, then I asked "really? what's the problem?"
He said that the car had been there for 2 days and the trouble was originating from the front suspension. They were going to replace the front suspension units under warranty when they discovered WASHERS in the ride height sensor links.
Unfortunately, a regional rep from MBUSA was onsite watching him by his workbay when the front suspension was pulled apart. The rep was interested to know what caused the failure.
The MBUSA rep immediately flagged it on the RO as "suspension warranty void" after discovering the washers.
Now rumor has it that a bulletin is to be released from MBUSA to all dealers where the suspension warranty will be automatically voided if they find non-authorized washers on any car equipped with electronic suspension.
I am crossing my fingers. I wonder if this also applies to lowering modules.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 398
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From: Socal
E500
well....
I have posted under E500 W211 section that modification to airmatic will void the factory warranty. This is just a perfect example.
I have been "attacked"those who think modification will not void warranty. Now, read it for yourself.
Modification is definitely ok, but only happen when you remove the modification before service.
I have posted under E500 W211 section that modification to airmatic will void the factory warranty. This is just a perfect example.
I have been "attacked"those who think modification will not void warranty. Now, read it for yourself.
Modification is definitely ok, but only happen when you remove the modification before service.
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 533
Likes: 3
From: Los Angeles, Ca
2016 GLC300 sport
Originally posted by rusnakmb
Modification is definitely ok, but only happen when you remove the modification before service.
Modification is definitely ok, but only happen when you remove the modification before service.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 398
Likes: 0
From: Socal
E500
what are you talking about?
It is your own car and you owned it. You can do what ever you want, but if the warranty were void. TOO BAD. You pay for it.
On the other post that someone mention that MB tech does not do the lowering job for clients, and that is a bad customers service.
NOW.
If the tech does perform the lowering for client, I am sure his *** will be on fire. I am sure htat customer will made the MB tech pay for his airmatic repair.
What is misleading and illegal? I told people modification will void the warranty. It that consider misleading? That was only a suggestion for those who does modification to their vehicles. It is a personal opinion, and does a personal opinion make it illegal?
It is your own car and you owned it. You can do what ever you want, but if the warranty were void. TOO BAD. You pay for it.
On the other post that someone mention that MB tech does not do the lowering job for clients, and that is a bad customers service.
NOW.
If the tech does perform the lowering for client, I am sure his *** will be on fire. I am sure htat customer will made the MB tech pay for his airmatic repair.
What is misleading and illegal? I told people modification will void the warranty. It that consider misleading? That was only a suggestion for those who does modification to their vehicles. It is a personal opinion, and does a personal opinion make it illegal?
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,399
Likes: 1
From: Irvine, CA
07 M6, 05 Noble, 01 S4, Smart ForTwo
thats BS.. how could a sensor make the whole system fail. he must have really dropped it. an E55 has an inherently lower suspension, but same bananas. One time I walked out to my car and the whole damn car was tilted to the left as you look at the trunk... wtf. I got a tape, and the entire left side was an equal 1.5" lower than the right.. probably a semi-failure or software glitch. after 3 days (looking at it in same spot) it went back. i have zero mods.
most likely just a coinsidence or the washers just brought about an inevitable problem sooner. but who knows..
most likely just a coinsidence or the washers just brought about an inevitable problem sooner. but who knows..
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 533
Likes: 3
From: Los Angeles, Ca
2016 GLC300 sport
Originally posted by rusnakmb
what are you talking about?
It is your own car and you owned it. You can do what ever you want, but if the warranty were void. TOO BAD. You pay for it.
On the other post that someone mention that MB tech does not do the lowering job for clients, and that is a bad customers service.
NOW.
If the tech does perform the lowering for client, I am sure his *** will be on fire. I am sure htat customer will made the MB tech pay for his airmatic repair.
What is misleading and illegal? I told people modification will void the warranty. It that consider misleading? That was only a suggestion for those who does modification to their vehicles. It is a personal opinion, and does a personal opinion make it illegal?
what are you talking about?
It is your own car and you owned it. You can do what ever you want, but if the warranty were void. TOO BAD. You pay for it.
On the other post that someone mention that MB tech does not do the lowering job for clients, and that is a bad customers service.
NOW.
If the tech does perform the lowering for client, I am sure his *** will be on fire. I am sure htat customer will made the MB tech pay for his airmatic repair.
What is misleading and illegal? I told people modification will void the warranty. It that consider misleading? That was only a suggestion for those who does modification to their vehicles. It is a personal opinion, and does a personal opinion make it illegal?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,197
Likes: 1
W221 S65 AMG
I had my suspension fail at 5K miles. Backend was on the ground but still drivable...there was a leak in the system. Convered under warranty. I didn't have any mods nor have any suspension mods today.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by e55 baller
I had my suspension fail at 5K miles. Backend was on the ground but still drivable...there was a leak in the system. Convered under warranty. I didn't have any mods nor have any suspension mods today.
I had my suspension fail at 5K miles. Backend was on the ground but still drivable...there was a leak in the system. Convered under warranty. I didn't have any mods nor have any suspension mods today.
Administrator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 12,263
Likes: 901
From: THE Orange County, California
2024 C8 Z06- 2025 BMW CS- 2022 Porsche 992 GTS
The washer deal is really bad. By placing the washer below the bolt that locks down the sensor arm it forces the car to think it should be lower. The problem is that the bolt is not flush due to the washer and it will become loose over time and once it breaks free the sensor arm is gone and so is the suspension.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,399
Likes: 1
From: Irvine, CA
07 M6, 05 Noble, 01 S4, Smart ForTwo
Originally posted by Vic55
The washer deal is really bad. By placing the washer below the bolt that locks down the sensor arm it forces the car to think it should be lower. The problem is that the bolt is not flush due to the washer and it will become loose over time and once it breaks free the sensor arm is gone and so is the suspension.
The washer deal is really bad. By placing the washer below the bolt that locks down the sensor arm it forces the car to think it should be lower. The problem is that the bolt is not flush due to the washer and it will become loose over time and once it breaks free the sensor arm is gone and so is the suspension.
MBWorld Founder
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,599
Likes: 7
From: Scottsdale (aka The Surface of the Sun)
Originally posted by e-fivehundred
Gotta do it the Carlsson or the Brabus way. From what I've heard, they will go all out to help you as long as you have had it professionally installed by one of their partners. Anyone get these lowering modules?
Gotta do it the Carlsson or the Brabus way. From what I've heard, they will go all out to help you as long as you have had it professionally installed by one of their partners. Anyone get these lowering modules?
Anyone interested, let us know.
Thanks
Brad
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,399
Likes: 1
From: Irvine, CA
07 M6, 05 Noble, 01 S4, Smart ForTwo
Originally posted by otoupalik
We have the same module available for much less. All the tuners use the same module as we have, we just sourced it direct from Germany and kept the big tuner name off of it!
Anyone interested, let us know.
Thanks
Brad
We have the same module available for much less. All the tuners use the same module as we have, we just sourced it direct from Germany and kept the big tuner name off of it!
Anyone interested, let us know.
Thanks
Brad
I'm interested.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,488
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A bucket on wheels
Originally posted by dgussin1
which is misleading and illegal...and I would do it if my airmatic failed.
which is misleading and illegal...and I would do it if my airmatic failed.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,399
Likes: 1
From: Irvine, CA
07 M6, 05 Noble, 01 S4, Smart ForTwo
As I mentioned earlier, if the whole system fails because the sensors were moved, thats horsesh*t. System was destined to fail. But if the senser falls off or is damaged (my mod), another issue.
Administrator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 12,263
Likes: 901
From: THE Orange County, California
2024 C8 Z06- 2025 BMW CS- 2022 Porsche 992 GTS
Originally posted by Brav
So failure is from it coming apart, not from being a few mm lower..
So failure is from it coming apart, not from being a few mm lower..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,256
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From: Melbourne, Australia
E55, F550, S600 Ducati 999
We are lowering a couple of customer cars on Friday. I'll take detailed pics of screens etc so you can take them to your local MB dealer, if they will co-operate and have the car lowered by the factory. This is the process AMG provides in Germany, referred to as ride height optimisation, which they charge an arm and a leg for.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 14
From: Houston, Texas - USA
2009 C63 AMG
Does lowering your car endanger it at high speeds? I know that the E55 lowers itself a few cm's at 75mph (thus negating the need for a rear spoiler), would that be too low if you lower it further?
I'm interested too Stephen. Can't wait for the pics.
I'm interested too Stephen. Can't wait for the pics.
