So, for the past 3 days my car has started giving me the dreaded "Visit Workshop!" message. I have not noticed any sagging, or anything like that yet. Today I stopped by the dealership to have the codes read, and it has a 5508 Code "The pressure line system leaks". The tech said this could mean either one of the air springs themselves was leaking, or there was a leak somewhere in the feed system. Anyone have any insight into this issue that this newbie hasn't found yet? If there is a possible easy fix, I would take it.

Now the main issue from my perspective is, I seem to have missed something in my research before buying this car. My fallback plan should I run into Airmatic issues, was replacing the whole thing with BC Coilovers. I had a set of them on my old 200 BMW 540i, and they were actualy quite good, so I wouldn't hesitate to go with them again. The thing is, I didn't realize until the other day that BC doesn't actually make a kit for the E55 Kombi, AKA Wagon, just the Sedan. DOH!!! Their kit apparently fits the E500 wagon, but not the E55 Wagon? I don't get it.

So, can anyone explain the difference between the suspensions on the Sedan and Wagon? E55 Wagon vs E500 Wagon? Are there any reputable companies that make a well designed kit for the E55 Wagon? I read a thread where a guy seems to have installed the BC Coilovers on his wagon and found it rode too low in the rear. Shims were suggested as the answer to his issue, but he never posted whether they worked or not. I did send him a PM, but I have no idea whether he is still active, so I'm hedging my bets by asking the board in general.

So, if you had an E55 Wagon with 130,000 Kilometers (about 80,000 miles) and were getting this message, what would you do? I can do any work that needs done myself, as I have access to a military auto craft center with all of the tools, lift, etc, and have plenty of experience with suspensions, having replaced them entirely on my previous 540i, 135i, and Cayman S (5 times so far on that one. Don't ask).

 

Maybe get one of the sedan kits with an uprated set if springs in the rear to deal with the extra weight?

Other option is to replace the airmatic. It lasted 130k km so a new set is good for another 130k right? I've only had to do my front struts so far rears have held up...

 

The issue I see with keeping the airmatic is that I don't have any information on where the leak is coming from, like at all. It doesn't appear to be one of the struts, as none of the corners are sagging. If I could easily find a way to locate and repair the leak, then I would consider it, but I don't have a good idea on where to start with this issue.

With the BCs, I would like a little clarity before I purchase a set of coilovers that might not actually work on the car. It's just peace of mind, as I don't want to deal with tearing everything apart only to find it doesn't work.

 

You could start with a squirt bottle of soapy water. All the lines and connections are easy to find. Would be good to do before you cook the pump from constantly running. Change the pump intake filter while you are in there. The bottom cover and / or the fender liner has to come out anyway to see the pump.

 

Which fender liner are we talking about here?

 

SAS air filter: A220-320-00-69
Hose, air filter to compressor line: A211-327-01-82

Located under driver's side headlight; pull the fender liner to access the pump. The hose will dry rot over the years. It is cheap so replace it when you replace the filter. $15 for both.

 

I own an E55 wagon and was facing the same issue "visit workshop" On diagnosing it was an issue with the rear shock which was leaking. The wagons have option code - 489 and the rear shock are expensive to replace. I've bought the shocks and have scheduled a fix it this weekend.

I concur with birdwell and would change the SAS filter and to avoid any potential headache later as it's doesn't cost much.

Regarding coilovers for the wagon, KW is good. They are more expensive than BC but worth it. I've been sceptical about moving to coilovers as I'd like to lower the car with a module and will be geting one soon. I hope this should improve the handling.

 

Neither BC nor KW make a coilover system for the Wagon, according to their websites. I have KW V3s on my other car, so I'm familiar with their product. They are okay, but I have never been able to get them dialed in precisely where I would like them to be. Ride is either too firm, or a bit jiggly.

 

Both sedans and wagons were available with suspension option code 489 which I believe will be the same suspension parts. Does this mean a Coilover kit that's applicable to the sedan be a fit for the wagon?

I believe there was also a different suspension setup on some cars without option 489.

Hope someone can chip in with more information on this.

 

So the issue with the code coming up has been very hit or miss since my last update. Some days it comes up, some days is doesn't. I have noticed that several times the message appeared immediately following an aggressive driving maneuver, as in if I really get on it out of a light or something, the message will appear immediately in some cases.

I'm also starting to notice a deterioration in ride quality recently. The car is giving me a bit of head toss as slow speeds, and on the autobahn it's starting to give a shimmy after a bump that seems to be getting worse. Used to be it was only there if the car was loaded up with passengers and/or luggage. Now it's there all the time. Starting to think one or more of the dampers might be done, and possibly the system is reading to much travel in the suspension as a leak, when it could actually be a bad damper allowing to much movement?

 

I replaced both the rear shocks on my wagon, it has improved my ride quality but still not perfect. I have to reset the Airmatic adaptation as the garage didn't have star. My front suspension lower arm bushings are due and will be in next week to replace. I have a suspicion that the sub frame bushing could be on its way out after much reading based on the symptoms. I will be having that checked this time and replace if required. Car is 14 years old, 145000 km and guess and I guess it's time that these fail.

Parts replaced:

A2112366900
A2113267000

 

I have an 05 E55 Wagon on BC coilovers instead of the factory air suspension. Only thing is you need the control arm from a non AMG W211(same for the sedans) for the rear because the air suspension one is different. I believe I have seen recently a new company make a coilover conversion that uses the AMG rear control arm but I don't remember the name.

 

Forgive my skepticism, but I would need a little more information before I could take this post at face value, given that at least 3 manufacturers have now told me that the suspension is different between the wagons and sedans, and that they do not make a product that fits the wagon. That would be BC Racing themselves, KW, and Bilstein.

Could you please answer a few questions? Who installed your suspension? If it was you, were there any complications when you installed it? Do you have any pictures of the suspension on the car? What are your impressions of the suspension's performance?

My thinking is that it might be physically possible to install the sedan suspension on the wagon, but you could be running afoul of some issues that may not be immediately obvious. For example, if the rear dampers are shorter on the wagon, as has been stated, you could be running with an increased risk of bottoming them out. The mecahnical advantage of the suspension itself is most likely also different between sedan and wagon, meaning you would be effectively running mismatched front and rear spring and damping rates.

Given that I drive this vehicle in excess of 150 mph routinely, I am not willing to take a chance on replacing the suspension without solid information.

 

with a wagon there's no way I would save a couple hundred to convert to coilovers.

it's barely more expensive to just replace with arnott remanufacturered, which come with a lifetime warranty and are dead simple to replace.

 

I didn’t install the coilovers the previous owner did. I talked to him in depth about them though. He didn’t raise any concerns about installation difficulty. Only thing that is a pin is removing all the interior trim in the trunk to adjust the damper stiffness.

the ride is still surprisingly comfortable yet sporty. It‘s not a harsh at all. I really like it. Never had any shocks bottom out or anything.

I don’t have a picture from under the car of the coilovers. But here it is as it sits

 

That's a great looking car!

 

Eevrything I can find on the Arnotts says "sedan only" on the rear shocks.

Also, I tend to like simplification of complex problems, and conventional coilovers have a lot few maintenance and reliability issues than air suspension, provided they actually fit.

 

Hmm, thanks for the answer, but unfortunately not the answer I was hoping for. Don't suppose you still have a way to contact the former owner? Also agree with the poster below. I love the wagon in black.

 

I called arnott and asked. have them on all 4 corners.

 

Submitted an informational request to Arnott, and they just finally got back to me today. They do not make dampers for the rear suspension on the Wagon. So basically the only known good option at this point is factory replacement. I just checked the price on that, and it's basically 1100 Euro for a pair of factory rear dampers. Cheapest I have found them anywhere so far is like $900. Frankly, that's insanity.

 

So I noticed the other day that BC racing now has a suspension option for the W211 E350 Wagon. Called up BC Racing of North America and talked through things with them, and the explained that you can order a custom, AKA Hybrid kit by applying notes to your order at checkout. So, I just ordered a hybrid kit with the front suspension from the E55 AMG kit, and the rear suspension from the E350 Kombi kit, which has softer front spring rates than the E55 kit. They said it would probably take 4-6 weeks to get it ready, but once it is here I will let you guys know how it works out.