Early W211 Air Suspension - is it a no no?

[Stocho]

What exactly is air suspension an why would one want it on Elegance that offers smooth ride anyway?

Does it allow to raise the car (for example when travelling on dirt and bumps roads) like Citroen does?

Is it unreliable and prone to expensive faults and breakdowns?

Example car:
Mercedes-Benz E Class 3.2TD E320 CDI Elegance 5dr

 

[prprandall51]

I have Airmatic on my 2005 211, which I have had from new.

It had a new pump under warranty shortly before its fifth birthday, and that is about their lifespan (so another one due soon, I guess). Apart from that, it has been faultless.

Why should you have Airmatic? Firstly, the ride is better than that of springs (it's a really "wafty" ride - very comfortable) but, much more importantly, if you select Sports II mode, then suddenly your car is firmer sprung and more tightly damped than the Avantgarde model (the spring rate is halved in Sports II mode - which is a significant change). I love having a comfortable luxury car that I can switch to being sporty should the mood take me.

Of course, should the struts develop a problem then it's going to be more expensive to fix than a steel-sprung car.

Yes, you can raise the suspension from standard position by an inch or so (that's actually quite a lot in suspension terms) for increased ground clearance - I use it on rutted or bumpy roads. In Sports II mode, it drops by 15mm, so the total travel is around 40mm.

 

[prprandall51]

That's an 03 car. If you follow up on that one you definitely need to check that the radiator was changed. Look in this forum for radiator issues on 211s (issue affected early cars, of which this is almost certainly one).

 

[Stocho]

That's an 03 car. If you follow up on that one you definitely need to check that the radiator was changed. Look in this forum for radiator issues on 211s (issue affected early cars, of which this is almost certainly one).

That car went within 30 minutes of me posting this - so did not get even to see it. But useful to know that you can raise the car like that on bumpy roads and change modes.

Thanks a lot for the reply.

 

[Benzowner]

Not absolutely certain, but I do believe that all estate cars W210 and 211's were supplied with self levelling rear suspension, which was obviously air activated. So on the car in question, is only been added to the front wheels

 

[MD5]

Airmatic will also automatically lower and raise your ride height at certain speeds for improved aerodynamics.

 

[Mr Kripling]

the spring rate is halved in Sports II mode - which is a significant change

I'm not sure about that. The spring rate for an air suspension system is determined by the load on the spring (weight of the car) and the volume of the air spring (ride height). The various suspension settings just alter the damping rate, rather than the spring rate.

 

[prprandall51]

I'm not sure about that. The spring rate for an air suspension system is determined by the load on the spring (weight of the car) and the volume of the air spring (ride height). The various suspension settings just alter the damping rate, rather than the spring rate.

Airmatic adjusts both damping and spring rate. Sport I setting adjusts only the damping, but, in Sport II, a valve cuts off half of the air chamber and effectively halves the spring rate. I am not sure why they bothered with Sport I setting as it is very similar to Comfort setting (as it shares the same spring rate), but Sport II setting is notably different.
(All of this may only apply to the 211 - I cannot comment on Airmatic on other MBs).

 

[prprandall51]

Not absolutely certain, but I do believe that all estate cars W210 and 211's were supplied with self levelling rear suspension, which was obviously air activated. So on the car in question, is only been added to the front wheels

Although all 211 estates had self-leveling air suspension at the rear and steel springs at the front, Airmatic added adjustable spring rate and adjustable damping to the rear suspension (as well as the front), so there was more to it than a couple of extra air struts at the front.

(starting to sound like an Airmatic bore now, so I will shut up).

 

[E55BOF]

Not absolutely certain, but I do believe that all estate cars W210 and 211's were supplied with self levelling rear suspension, which was obviously air activated. So on the car in question, is only been added to the front wheels

The W210 estate's rear self-levelling is hydraulically operated, a la Citroen - a gas-filled sphere as the springing medium. Also a la Citroen, the gas sacs in the spheres eventually give up the ghost and the sphere has to be replaced. Much cheaper than an Airmatic strut, though.

 

[paullucas]

my 2005 e class estate is VERY LOW at the rear !! Any suggestions ?

 

[mickday]

my 2005 e class estate is VERY LOW at the rear !! Any suggestions ?

There really is only one option get it on STAR for AIRMatic diagnosis

 

[E55BOF]

The car is a 2003 E55K estate with 140K miles on it. Driving home, the little icon showing a white outline of the car with a vertical white arrow and the 'visit workshop' message came on. The RHF corner is noticeably lower than the left front; the rears are the same height.

I assume it's the strut. Can I replace just the air spring? SHOULD I at this mileage? Is replacing either the spring or the strut a DIY job? Finally, do I need it on a STAR afterwards to set up/calibrate the height on that corner?