E55 AMG W211 problem with suspension driving modes

[Londonscottish]

Maybe is different for E500

My 211 E500 had Raised, Normal, Sport 1 and Sport 2.

My 211 E500 has Raised, Normal and Sport.

In both cases, you could see the suspension dropping and raising between the 1st three modes.

Can't remember if I could see a difference between Sport 1 and Sport 2.

 

[GEORGIOS]

are you sure there is no leak? it should not lower when stationary

I have a minor leak which I have it for some time but now the problem is that my car does not get lower when in Sport 1 or 2.After I replaced a level sensor (front left) my car lost the ability to drop in Sport 1 and 2.I tested it even at 80 mph.I notice a slight difference but nowhere close to what I used to have.My car is not safe to drive anymore.Star software says everything is fine and that is my problem.

 

[whitenemesis]

When the level sensor was replaced was STAR used to reset the zero position, so the system knows how high/low the car is?

 

[GEORGIOS]

When the level sensor was replaced was STAR used to reset the zero position, so the system knows how high/low the car is?

This level sensor was replaced at a local garage which does not have STAR.I am thinking maybe the sensor was not specifically for E55 or maybe was not genuine.I will try a mercedes specialist to reset it first as Mercedes main dealership initially was telling me everything ok,then I should have 3 levels.I did not hear back from them.Now due to Covid 19 they have shortage of mechanics.

 

[GEORGIOS]

Just an update.
After 8 calibrations,(1 in a local garage.6 in a specialist Mercedes garage.1 in another specialist Mercedes garage) the suspension modes are working.Still not as they used to be but very close.

1)In the past the car could raise or lower on standstill on all 4 modes.
Now it can only raise from normal mode to raised or lower from raised mode to normal mode on standstill.It can raise or lower on all modes if you moove the car.For example I reverse the car for 6 feet and moove forward 6 feet so the car will raise or lower.

2)In the past when I was on the raised level the dampening was on the soft mode and the ride was like a dream.Now the dampening is on the hard mode which is still good but is less comfortable than the normal level.
On the sport 2 the dampening is on the soft mode which is good enough but not as before when the dampening was on the hard mode giving you the sensation of a rally car.

Thank you all of you for your contributions and especially whitenemesis for the documents he kindly provided.

 

[bolidemichael]

I have been adjusting the ride height on mine since having the rear suspension replaced in January 2021. Long story short, I suspected that it was too low and this was eventually confirmed by Joe at Wheels in Motion based on the lack of adjustability of camber at the standard position, which was available at the raised position i.e. the standard height was too low.

Anyway, I have had the garage look at the height again and now it is sitting higher (perhaps a little too high at the front). I digress, my point is that I have taken the opportunity to test the ride height functions on the full airmatic system and Giorgios (and all of the other contributors here) are correct:

1) Standard height (no lights, comfort mode)

2) Raised height

3) Sports 2: Lower than standard

There is definitely a difference between the three settings and of course, it is barge like when driving on 'raised'.

Giorgios, have you tried Merparts in Port Glasgow? Stef and his brother are the technical consultants for the official MB Club.

 

[GEORGIOS]

I have been adjusting the ride height on mine since having the rear suspension replaced in January 2021. Long story short, I suspected that it was too low and this was eventually confirmed by Joe at Wheels in Motion based on the lack of adjustability of camber at the standard position, which was available at the raised position i.e. the standard height was too low.

Anyway, I have had the garage look at the height again and now it is sitting higher (perhaps a little too high at the front). I digress, my point is that I have taken the opportunity to test the ride height functions on the full airmatic system and Giorgios (and all of the other contributors here) are correct:

1) Standard height (no lights, comfort mode)

2) Raised height

3) Sports 2: Lower than standard

There is definitely a difference between the three settings and of course, it is barge like when driving on 'raised'.

Giorgios, have you tried Merparts in Port Glasgow? Stef and his brother are the technical consultants for the official MB Club.

I had 7 calibrations made elsewhere before going to Merparts.Merparts are the ones who made the 8th and last calibration.As I wrote before now its very close to what I had before.

What I did not like with the car in general is that I had problems,that the right mechanic could fix them with a few hundred pounds and you can easily end up paying more than £1,000.Great car but maybe too complicated or the mechanics are not trained enough.I bought it 2 years ago for £7,000 and in 2 years I ended up paying another £8,000(including full service,spark plugs,tyres,brakes).I paid £8,000 with a lot of research in this forum as I had for example a quote for £4,000 and I fixed it in another place for a little more than £300.I had another problem that would cost less than £100 and ended up paying more than £2,000.

 

[bolidemichael]

I had 7 calibrations made elsewhere before going to Merparts.Merparts are the ones who made the 8th and last calibration.As I wrote before now its very close to what I had before.

What I did not like with the car in general is that I had problems,that the right mechanic could fix them with a few hundred pounds and you can easily end up paying more than £1,000.Great car but maybe too complicated or the mechanics are not trained enough.I bought it 2 years ago for £7,000 and in 2 years I ended up paying another £8,000(including full service,spark plugs,tyres,brakes).I paid £8,000 with a lot of research in this forum as I had for example a quote for £4,000 and I fixed it in another place for a little more than £300.I had another problem that would cost less than £100 and ended up paying more than £2,000.

I've spent loads on my E500 over 50,000 from 115k to 165k (more than you!). Are you going to stick with Merparts now i.e. would you recommend them?

 

[GEORGIOS]

I've spent loads on my E500 over 50,000 from 115k to 165k (more than you!). Are you going to stick with Merparts now i.e. would you recommend them?

I can share with you my experiences from several mercedes specialists and the 2 mercedes dealerships in Glasgow and Giffnock.If interested you can call me on 07972180262

 

[bolidemichael]

I can share with you my experiences from several mercedes specialists and the 2 mercedes dealerships in Glasgow and Giffnock.If interested you can call me on 07972180262

Actually, I'm based in Wimbledon, but visit Glasgow periodically as it is where the mother in law resides and we have some business interests. I'd always be happy to meet a fellow enthusiast and bubble, to compare notes. She's based in the West End near the Botanic Gdns.