211 air suspension question

[R W]

I am in the process of buying a 2007 211 from Germany & the car will be transported to Kyrgyzstan by rail, it may take a week or 10days. The car has air suspension.
Question is, will the suspension remain “active” during the train journey.
I did read somewhere years ago about an S class left for a few days in windy weather & because of the wind buffeting the car, the suspension was always “ active “ & flattened the battery. Is this likely to happen to my 211 on its train ride??. Or is the suspension dead when the car is locked up.

 

[V12]

I can't imagine that being true. Lots of airmatic equipped cars drop onto the bump stops if left for a few weeks. If the system remained active, every battery would be flat due to the compressor constantly running and reinflating the struts.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using MBClub UK

 

[developer]

I can only apply logic, not technical know how, but many airmatic cars sit at dealers for considerably longer than 10 days, presumably without problems.

 

[SavMan]

I think the concern is related to the fact the car will be on a train and whether the movement is likely to cause the suspension to attempt to correct itself during the journey.

 

[developer]

I think the concern is related to the fact the car will be on a train and whether the movement is likely to cause the suspension to attempt to correct itself during the journey.

When the key is out it's deadski as far as I know, however, modern trains offer a magic carpet ride so I suspect movementof a two tonne car will be negligible.

 

[SavMan]

When the key is out it's deadski as far as I know, however, modern trains offer a magic carpet ride so I suspect movementof a two tonne car will be negligible.

Try walking through one with a coffee!

 

[clivemercedes]

It only works when the engine is running

 

[Alps]

It only works when the engine is running

not True!

as long as the key is not in the ignition and the doors are locked it will not liven up any circuits and airsuspension will be off

 

[R W]

I think the concern is related to the fact the car will be on a train and whether the movement is likely to cause the suspension to attempt to correct itself during the journey.

Yes SavMan, that is my concern. That due to the motion of the train the suspension would always be active. The train from Europe to Kyrgyzstan that my car will be on will not be a modern train & definitely not any magic carpet ride.
If as developer215 & Alps says its dead with the key out & doors locked then that is fine, & thinking logically I would imagine that is how the system would be designed. It was only the story about the S class that put doubt in my mind. Maybe the story/article was not correct.
Thank you all for your replies.

 

[SavMan]

I would have to agree with them, the only thing my airmatic has done when left for long periods is drop!

 

[R W]

I would have to agree with them, the only thing my airmatic has done when left for long periods is drop!

Then it may be correct, if the system was still active it shouldn’t/wouldn’t drop. But your car is probably standing motionless so not detecting any movement, the only movement it will detect is the car dropping due to lack of pressure. Mine on the other hand will be sitting on the train sensing bumps & movement similar to being driven on a road except its engine isn’t running & its locked up.
I am totally unfamiliar with this airmatic system so, a few questions
How long does your car stand before it drops ?.
When on the road & cornering, does the system compensate to stop body roll?.
From what I understand it can raise or lower to whatever height you want, how about stiffening or softening if for example you wanted to drive the car enthusiastically.

 

[whitenemesis]

Why not download an owner's handbook for the vehicle and read up on the system?

Mercedes-Benz - Home of C, E, S, CLS, CL, SLK, SL, R, GLK, M, GL, G Class

It's US but the spec will be generally the same.

You can also find useful/interesting info on this website

Welcome to the W211 E- Class!

 

[shorty]

The compressor will not run unless the engine is started . The car will sometimes lower itself after locking .
The car should not drop when left standing , we have had cars in work sit for months and not drop , if the car arrives and has lower on its suspension then this would suggest theres an air leak .
Cars fitted with airmatic will not correct for body roll , however the suspension will correct the pitch of the car when accelerating .

 

[whitenemesis]

The compressor will not run unless the engine is started . The car will sometimes lower itself after locking .
The car should not drop when left standing , we have had cars in work sit for months and not drop , if the car arrives and has lower on its suspension then this would suggest theres an air leak .
Cars fitted with airmatic will not correct for body roll , however the suspension will correct the pitch of the car when accelerating .

Are you sure? Mine corners as if on rails!

Quote from the link in my post above -

"Excellent dynamic properties are also assured in the comfortable settings, as it is possible to alter the spring stiffness and the damper setting automatically more towards the sports characteristics by means of the sensor control, for example when rapidly changing lanes. Dynamic movements such as roll and pitch are reduced and the overall driving comfort is improved.."

The compressor may not run when the engine is off but -

"The engine-off function in the SAS control module lasts 1 minute. During this time it is possible to compensate the vehicle level by means of the central reservoir (pressure in reservoir> 10.5 bar)"

 

[R W]

Thank you Whitenemesis & Shorty for your replies. & thanks for the links.
Hopefully when it arrives on the train it will be still standing correct & not dropped.
I will have to have a play with the car when it arrives to see what it does & doesnt do. I am also unsure about the auxilery heating & how it works & if it can be programed to come on at preset times.I am sure I will have lots of questions to ask.

 

[shorty]

"Excellent dynamic properties are also assured in the comfortable settings, as it is possible to alter the spring stiffness and the damper setting automatically more towards the sports characteristics by means of the sensor control, for example when rapidly changing lanes. Dynamic movements such as roll and pitch are reduced and the overall driving comfort is improved.."


This could be refering to the different suspension setting , and how each setting changes the stiffeness of the suspension.
IIRC it is cars with ABC suspension that can control body roll , there is no anti-roll bars on these cars , Airmatic cars do have anti-roll bars