ItalianTuneUp
MB Enthusiast
What's your worry? Airmatic components wear out just like any other component and has a certain lifetime before it wears out.
My front struts and valve distribution block were leaking and needed replacing at about 100k miles. Working great again.
My front struts and valve distribution block were leaking and needed replacing at about 100k miles. Working great again.
V12
MB Enthusiast
It's worth every penny. Go for it.
Depending what year car you are going for, lots will have already had things like compressor, valve block and possibly struts changed.
My current W220 has had no airmatic issues in the last 3.5 years I've had it. It's a 2004 car.
We've had dozens of W220s and W211s with airmatic/air suspension and not suffered many problems to be honest.
The odd air compressor getting weak but the £25 repair kit usually sorts that.
We've had a lot more snapped springs on cars with traditional coil springs but they are obviously not so expensive to replace.
Just do your research and go in with your eyes open.
MB do some repair kits, arnott industries refurbish airmatic components and there are other engineering firms out there branching out into air suspension repair parts.
Depending what year car you are going for, lots will have already had things like compressor, valve block and possibly struts changed.
My current W220 has had no airmatic issues in the last 3.5 years I've had it. It's a 2004 car.
We've had dozens of W220s and W211s with airmatic/air suspension and not suffered many problems to be honest.
The odd air compressor getting weak but the £25 repair kit usually sorts that.
We've had a lot more snapped springs on cars with traditional coil springs but they are obviously not so expensive to replace.
Just do your research and go in with your eyes open.
MB do some repair kits, arnott industries refurbish airmatic components and there are other engineering firms out there branching out into air suspension repair parts.
What worries me is the reoccurring issues. I have heard people say even when they replace struts they sometimes go within a month. One person said he had to replace his car due to the issues. I wanted to find out are these just internet horror stories and in most cases do people have no issues at all?
V12
MB Enthusiast
That is utter rubbish. The struts last 5+ years no problem. Obviously rubber does age and perish but you can also see some cars on original struts after 15 years which I recently saw with my own eyes. One front strut of the 4 had been replaced on a 99 S320. 1 owner from new it had done 140,000 and the owner said he didn't drive it much in the winter and his garage was heated, both factors probably preserved the rubber well.
prprandall51
MB Enthusiast
My 10 year-old, 100K E-Class estate was fine - just needed a new pump at 5 years. And I frequently transported up to 500Kg in the rear.
The luxury ride you get on air is worth it.
The luxury ride you get on air is worth it.
Wow this is why i wanted to check people's experience because you only hear horror stories on the internet like in the US somebody said there were either trying to or there was a recall on the suspension system.
What about the Harmon Kardon amplifier issue? That and the airmatic were the two major ones I was worried about
What about the Harmon Kardon amplifier issue? That and the airmatic were the two major ones I was worried about
prprandall51
MB Enthusiast
Also had HK and it never missed a beat 
Mr Kripling
Active Member
That's the problem with car forums - people are usually posting because they've got a problem, hence you'd think that all cars were unreliable junk since you never hear from the many more people who are getting on absolutely fine
V12
MB Enthusiast
The facelift W221 is starting to come down close to this money.
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2008
- Messages
- 19,515
- Location
- Bournemouth/Poole Dorset
- Car
- W210 E280 x2, w211 E55, W212 E63 biturbo, S204 C180K
You will get some advise if you tell us what size engine you prefer and type of mileage you expect to do annually. Do you place performance above economy and have you enquired about insurance costs for both a high performance and an economy model?
Doodle
MB Enthusiast
V12
MB Enthusiast
A 2010 S350 went for £14k at BCA last month.
I was offered one for £15k recently by a customer who was trading it in and this was the offer by MB. It had 50k miles on it but only basic spec.
I was offered one for £15k recently by a customer who was trading it in and this was the offer by MB. It had 50k miles on it but only basic spec.
Doodle
MB Enthusiast
Ah, so more like £15k-16k on the market. Panic over 
I am just about to change the airmatic pump on 57 reg S320 I have had it checked and it was saying it took too much time to fill the reserve tank,so then via the electronic tester the system was checked by taking some air from that tank and seeing if the pump faulted again this time it was spot on so the fault went,but driving home the fault came back so will have a pump fitted next week,this one has lasted 7 years hope the next one does,all cars have problems,I suppose the bottom line is do you want to drive a Mercedes or if not buy a new car and sell it after a couple of years.
guydewdney
MB Enthusiast
194,000 miles on air......
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2005
- Messages
- 7,539
- Location
- Weybridge. U.K
- Car
- 500L ( W221 ), 2014 AMG CL 5.5 Biturbo ( W216 ) Sold, 2014 Brabus Smart ( 451 Coupe ) Mapped 130bhp
My S-Class ( W221 ) is seven years old 119,000 miles and have not had a problem with the Air-Matic.
My 211 has just passed its 10th birthday.
I bought it 5 years ago on 90k and it's now on just under 130k.
All struts are original.
I replaced the compressor when it was on about 115k.
I bought it 5 years ago on 90k and it's now on just under 130k.
All struts are original.
I replaced the compressor when it was on about 115k.
