Air suspension failure in 2016 car???

[neil beard]

Hi all. Bad new today. My 2016 c350e air suspension has failed. Main dealer just called and they want £1000 to fit a new compressor. £500 parts, £500 labour! in a car that's just over 3 years old!! so, anybody know a good independent in the Berkshire area who won't take me to the cleaners? Thanks folks.

 

[Petrol Pete]

3 years old is not telling us much . How many miles on it is more relevant. I own a 17 year old motorcycle with less than a 100 hours use on the clock.

See what I mean ?

 

[steve333]

Hi all. Bad new today. My 2016 c350e air suspension has failed. Main dealer just called and they want £1000 to fit a new compressor. £500 parts, £500 labour! in a car that's just over 3 years old!! so, anybody know a good independent in the Berkshire area who won't take me to the cleaners? Thanks folks.

Sorry to hear of your misfortune,does the car have full mb history,if so I would push for a goodwill repair or at least a contribution-good luck .

 

[rf065]

Repair the compressor yourself?

https://www.bagpipingandy.com/

 

[AndrewOl]

Hi Neil,
Welcome. The compressors give good service life generally. Failure is usually caused by a small leak in the system that the error checking systems don’t detect. This leads to the compressor generally just wearing out early. They usually get noisy before they die mechanically. Did you hear it running or notice the ride height different in the morning before starting the car? The compressor itself is easy to change your self if you fancy it. Pattern ones can be bought for around £350. Took me a couple of hours to fit on a GL. Problem is that your new compressor will go the same way if you do have a leak. If it has just died electrically then you may just need a straight swop. There is usually a funky hose and filter arrangement on the air inlet/discharge port. That is worth checking that it is intact/not split as this will let water get sucked into the compressor which will kill it. I didn’t take mb in there kind offer of a bit of hose and a airline filter for £80 and made one out of bits from eBay. Been fine.

 

[neil beard]

3 years old is not telling us much . How many miles on it is more relevant. I own a 17 year old motorcycle with less than a 100 hours use on the clock.

See what I mean ?

Not really. Unclear how that affects many question of “does anyone know a good independant”. Thanks anyway

 

[neil beard]

Thanks everyone for the quick and useful replies. Andrew OI, to answer you, it hasn’t made noises but the car often has to rise up in the morning (once a fortnight you hear the compressor running when you start up). Does that sound normal to you? To the other suggestions re DIY, afraid I fear its beyond me, but I have had a reply from a mobile merc mechanic who is quoting £90 labour which seems a lot more reasonable.

 

[neil beard]

Sorry to hear of your misfortune,does the car have full mb history,if so I would push for a goodwill repair or at least a contribution-good luck .

Yes it does. I did already get a goodwill settlement when the plug in charger unit into caught fire!!!! But maybe this would also qualify. Worth a try like you say.

 

[neil beard]

An update for anyone who replied to me. The dealer sent me the usual video of the mechanic’s inspection. Seems the problem was caused by water getting into the compressor wiring which has cause the compressor to burn out. Suddenly that does sound more like a goodwill claim. Surely should not do that!

 

[Mercsl60]

Hi all. Bad new today. My 2016 c350e air suspension has failed. Main dealer just called and they want £1000 to fit a new compressor. £500 parts, £500 labour! in a car that's just over 3 years old!! so, anybody know a good independent in the Berkshire area who won't take me to the cleaners? Thanks folks.

How many miles on it?

 

[AndrewOl]

Thanks everyone for the quick and useful replies. Andrew OI, to answer you, it hasn’t made noises but the car often has to rise up in the morning (once a fortnight you hear the compressor running when you start up). Does that sound normal to you? To the other suggestions re DIY, afraid I fear its beyond me, but I have had a reply from a mobile merc mechanic who is quoting £90 labour which seems a lot more reasonable.

Neil, one run a fortnight sounds ok but they shouldn’t drop unless left for ages. The rear bags tend to get pin holes from road debt and the vertical movement as they have a fold in them. This can cause them to leak depending on the resting position. You are supposed to clean them regularly but then you are supposed to floss each day too! If both sides are going down equal it is likely to be something common to both bags.

 

[neil beard]

My thanks to everyone who made useful suggestions here. After a day spent talking to the dealer who spoke to merc twice, merc have agreed to pick up50% of the bill. Some folks I’ve spoken to think that’s good, others think they should have paid more. It’s better than nothing

 

[Srdl]

Hi all. Bad new today. My 2016 c350e air suspension has failed. Main dealer just called and they want £1000 to fit a new compressor. £500 parts, £500 labour! in a car that's just over 3 years old!! so, anybody know a good independent in the Berkshire area who won't take me to the cleaners? Thanks folks.

A bit late given your last post but these people are highly regarded on the other side:
Mercedes Garage | Reading | Star Motor Service

 

[neil beard]

A bit late given your last post but these people are highly regarded on the other side:
Mercedes Garage | Reading | Star Motor Service

Thanks. i'll keep them in mind.