I have a 2020 E63S wagon and recently my car threw the dreaded "Malfunction Drive at Max 50 mph" code. Took it to my dealer and they replaced the valve block, compressor and relay for the air suspension. Stated that water was getting into the lines. After picking up the car, noticed it would make a horrible droning/humming/vibrating/whirring noise from the rear at low speed between 1200-1800 rpm. Took it back to the dealer and they said it was a loose "spring" in the compressor. They "fixed" it. Got the car back, but the damn noise was still there. Took it in again! Now the shop foreman works on my car and diagnosed worn bushings for the compressor.

Got the car back yesterday, and the noise is gone while driving, however, my air compressor is pretty loud now when I press the button to raise the car. The sound it makes is like one of those electric tire compressors/inflators that you use for emergencies or for your bicycles. The noise is sustained the whole time the car is raised. It stops once I hit the raise button again to lower the car back to normal ride height.

Does your compressor make noise when you press the button to raise your car?

I don't think it ever made that noise before and I use the raise button pretty often when I go in and out of driveways.

Sorry for being so long winded...just wanted to give some background info so you guys can share your thoughts on diagnosing the problem. If yours makes noise too then I guess all is good and I just never paid attention before. I really don't want to bring the car back to the dealer a 4th time! This has been so frustrating!

Thank you in advance!

 

That sounds like a very frustrating dealer experience! Sorry you have to go through that.

While I don't have a wagon, my 2020 sedan is very quiet when using the raise function, and it certainly does not sound like one of those electric emergency compressors. I would take it back or look for a different dealer to get this taken care of.

 

No (in cabin) noise that I can hear and notice that is excessively loud. Mine is 18 wagon

 

bummer, i have a 2020 wagon and no it does not.

 

Thanks all for confirming that I'm not going crazy. I knew mine never made noise previous to the repair.

Spoke with my service advisor and it looks like there will be a 4th trip in for the same issue. I will be meeting with the shop foreman tomorrow morning to demonstrate the compressor noise. Watch him tell me that it's "normal".

 

Do get another e63 on the lot/showroom to compare if the dealer is saying it’s normal.

 

Definitely not normal. I'm beginning to believe that there is a tremendous amount of trial and error and a lack of training on new models and tech at MB service depts.

 

Had same issue with the Suspension Malfunction message on my 2019. First time to the dealer, they noted the Front Dampener Connector was loose and locking tab was missing and also replaced the wiring harness which they noted was broken. Had it back for only 3 days and got the message again. Second time at the dealer they noted Suspension Control Unit & Air Body Control unit saying the Air System was leaky & an internal fault in the AirCompressor. Air Compressor and Relay for the Air Compressor were replaced. Just got it back last night so hoping it won’t have to go back in to the dealer for a 3rd time. Not sure if it was related, but each time I’ve gotten the error message, the outside air temperature was below 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

I have a 19 wagon and I have been using the raised function several times , never a noise .
‘if I pay attention I should say , when I lock the car I hear briefly a hissing sound and i am sure it is normal .
Absolutely a compressor noise it is not normal .

 

Cylinder Head .Fully agreed . On the same note , Air suspension on MB it is nothing new it is not a new technology and the issue OP it is having it is due to the absolute gross incompetence these dealers have and lack of respect for the brand and ABSOLUTE LACK OF PRIDE IN WHAT THEY .
Air sys it is a closed loop sys can’t be no water inside , loose spring in the compressor, what a joke .
You see what I mean , NO PRIDE .
I can’t take it , loose spring in the compressor, they can’t even make up a credible lie .

 

Chill dude.

 

gh1dora, you have my permission to be completely unchill. What a pain in the ***. Selfishly, I hope this is an isolated and unique failure.

To that end, it sounds like you regularly use the lower/raise function, is that correct? I think I have only used mine once...and now you've got me questioning how robust the system is for more regular use.

 

I never use the Lower/raise function and I’m having the same issue. Drove it today without issue after getting it back a second time from the dealer. I guess I’ll have to wait and see if the error message appears again which would require a 3rd trip to the dealer.

 

Thanks all for your input, appreciate it very much! This forum is one of the very few resources we have when we have to deal with issues for our car.

Just a quick update...
The car is back at the dealership since yesterday morning for the 4th time. I met with the shop foreman...we sat in my car and tested the raise button. Sure enough he heard the compressor noise. He explained that the compressor is mounted in the rear of the car by hangers very similar to exhaust hangers and that he personally reinstalled the compressor to MB specs along with brand new rubber bushings. Unfortunately, the noise is caused by vibration from the compressor when it is running. Told him it needs to be remedied because it was not like this before they worked on the car and I shouldn't have to accept it as it is. He will work on dampening the compressor as best as he can and if need be, he will replace the entire unit again. For what it's worth, he is genuinely a nice guy and wants to do the right thing. I feel like I'm starting to be a PITA, but all I want is for my car to go back to the way it was...noise free!

LOL, I would love to just flip out at the dealership, but that wouldn't accomplish anything and would hate to see how they would treat my car if I did act like an a$$hole. Super frustrating to say the least.
I wouldn't say I regularly use it, but I do use it...does that make sense? If I am about to go up a driveway that looks a little steep, I will use it. I might use the raise button more often that others because my license plate bracket is mounted under the front splitter so that tends to scrape on driveways.

 

Thanks , you are right .
Probably I should keep my mouth shut but I can’t , I am loosing my temper when I see and hear such non sense like “ loose compressor spring “ .
You guys have my apologies .