ARNOTT Rear Springs or Refurbished Merc Ones??

[Graham21]

So sadly my new exciting purchase was short lived. Only bought the car just over a week ago. I've not really driven the car much since the run back from London. Turns out the compressor is failing STAR tests when cold but clearing once warmed up. This is due to the near side rear air spring leaking. On a plus point the front struts are brand new so once these are done the car will be pretty much flawless.

My question is I can get the job done about £450 cheaper by going with the ARNOTT springs or do I stick with refurbished units direct from Mercedes.

Anyone got any thoughts on what's best?

 

[JDL60]

Worth trying Aerosus too, I was told by Jay Manek- Mercland that they're decent...

 

[Major774]

If it's a keeper, go OEM.

 

[JohnBell]

Arnott are perfectly fine.

 

[nickjonesn4]

So sadly my new exciting purchase was short lived. Only bought the car just over a week ago. I've not really driven the car much since the run back from London. Turns out the compressor is failing STAR tests when cold but clearing once warmed up. This is due to the near side rear air spring leaking. On a plus point the front struts are brand new so once these are done the car will be pretty much flawless.

My question is I can get the job done about £450 cheaper by going with the ARNOTT springs or do I stick with refurbished units direct from Mercedes.

Anyone got any thoughts on what's best?

Best to stick with the Merc ones in my opinion especially given the overall condition of your car.

My go to guy down when I lived in London, Terry at Wayne Gates Mercedes, had a few bad experiences with the Arnotts so I went with the refurbed ones and they work perfectly. You should be able to narrow that price gap a little tho.

 

[nickjonesn4]

Graham. I'd also say to make sure whoever is looking at the star really knows what they are doing. I had misdiagnosis from both a specialist and a Merc dealer before being pointed in the direction of WG. Have they done a proper leak test?

 

[Graham21]

Graham. I'd also say to make sure whoever is looking at the star really knows what they are doing. I had misdiagnosis from both a specialist and a Merc dealer before being pointed in the direction of WG. Have they done a proper leak test?

Nick,

Thanks for the info. Yes I have Colin at Klasse Series Automotive near Edinburgh who has diagnosed the fault. He was master tech at Edinburgh Mercedes for 20 years and a very knowledgeable and helpful guy.

The actual spring is fine although original. The leak is coming from the reservoir which is deteriorated quite badly. The offside side is fine but as always, its advisable to change the pair. The compressor is on the road out due to having to work longer and harder to compensate the leak.

 

[nickjonesn4]

Nick,

Thanks for the info. Yes I have Colin at Klasse Series Automotive near Edinburgh who has diagnosed the fault. He was master tech at Edinburgh Mercedes for 20 years and a very knowledgeable and helpful guy.

The actual spring is fine although original. The leak is coming from the reservoir which is deteriorated quite badly. The offside side is fine but as always, its advisable to change the pair. The compressor is on the road out due to having to work longer and harder to compensate the leak.

Ah great. I now use Colin too, top guy and he's done a great job on my car.

Definitely worth doing the lot in one go as I ended up doing mine piece meal and it just means more time for the car off the road!

Cheers

Nick

 

[AMGeed]

Arnott are perfectly fine.

Not according to two indies on here who have both had problems with Arnott air bags.

I'd go Aerosus or OEM.

 

[icarus51]

I've had Arnott rear air springs on my E55K for over 4 years. My indie commented on the precision and quality of engineering when fitting them and I've had no problems whatsoever.

Sent from my D2303 using Tapatalk

 

[SMS]

The ally resivoir can be repaired if it's leaking, they tend to corroded where the rubber pipe from the bag is joined to it. We have repaired quite a few new without having to change the air spring assm.

 

[Alps]

Hi Graham

Save yourself some money and get it repaired

see the link below

https://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/wheels-tyres-brakes-suspension/143680-e55-airmatic-leak.html

I have still got this temp repair on mine and its been a number of years, you can take the reservoir off and get the tail machined and new one welded which will still be cheaper.

good luck!

Nick,

Thanks for the info. Yes I have Colin at Klasse Series Automotive near Edinburgh who has diagnosed the fault. He was master tech at Edinburgh Mercedes for 20 years and a very knowledgeable and helpful guy.

The actual spring is fine although original. The leak is coming from the reservoir which is deteriorated quite badly. The offside side is fine but as always, its advisable to change the pair. The compressor is on the road out due to having to work longer and harder to compensate the leak.

 

[nickjonesn4]

Hi Graham

Save yourself some money and get it repaired

see the link below

https://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/wheels-tyres-brakes-suspension/143680-e55-airmatic-leak.html

I have still got this temp repair on mine and its been a number of years, you can take the reservoir off and get the tail machined and new one welded which will still be cheaper.

good luck!

Think it's a bit of luck of the draw Alps. I had the bladders welded and all seemed fine but within 2 months the airmatic units and the compressor had gone. Most likely as a result of being over stressed dealing with a leaking bladder (no pun intended).

 

[Graham21]

Thanks guys. I've actually just sourced a OEM reservoir from a company in the USA who refurbish airmatic kit from Mercedes. They had one left. $100 or £72. I'm going to swap that and fit a new compressor. Got to be worth a shot.

 

[nickjonesn4]

Thanks guys. I've actually just sourced a OEM reservoir from a company in the USA who refurbish airmatic kit from Mercedes. They had one left. $100 or £72. I'm going to swap that and fit a new compressor. Got to be worth a shot.

Sounds sensible. Fingers crossed you get away without the new springs.

If you do need to replace the upside is a noticeable improvement in ride quality from new units so its not all bad.

 

[Alps]

Good find

what was the company your getting it from (for future ref), as im sure my temp repair will need a permanent solution

The pump in mine is also tired and once every few months grumbles with an airmatic error, so it probably isn't a bad thing replacing that too.

Thanks guys. I've actually just sourced a OEM reservoir from a company in the USA who refurbish airmatic kit from Mercedes. They had one left. $100 or £72. I'm going to swap that and fit a new compressor. Got to be worth a shot.

 

[Graham21]

Good find

what was the company your getting it from (for future ref), as im sure my temp repair will need a permanent solution

The pump in mine is also tired and once every few months grumbles with an airmatic error, so it probably isn't a bad thing replacing that too.

Company called Rebuild Master Tech in Florida.

SEDAN AMG AIRMATIC 2003-2009 (W211 Chassis) E-Class Mercedes-Benz Air Suspension Parts | E55 AMG & E63 AMG.

 

[Graham21]

The new part arrived from the states. My local Indy says its a very well done refurb of an original part. Total cost including shipping and import tax was £122.

The car is in the garage today getting the compressor, various pipes, air spring reservoir and I'm treating the old girl to a gearbox service.

Looking forward to getting it back!