How to test Airmatic...

[Jukie]

Possibly going to look at a late '03 S320 CDi on Thursday. What's the best way to test the suspension to see if it's in order and what should I expect to happen?

TIA.

 

[sspeed]

Mine is an E class but its the same principal.
You will be relying on their honesty to an extent but phone up the day before you go and request them NOT to have started the engine at all..

It should NOT have dropped much at all in a mere 24 hours..
Mine hardly drops from day to day running..(Well I cannot detect it visually, put it that way).

If you get there and it seems very low, or more to the point it pumps itself up when you start the engine then be suspicious.. They are expensive to put right when the struts / motor leak..

My motor may go for 5 - 10 seconds after a few minutes of driving off but then I don't usually here it again.
I have read that with the engine running you select the "High" setting and it should raise itself fairly quickly..

Hopefully others will be along to answer your question in more detail.

 

[b1g1an]

Assuming yours is the same it's supposed to drop to Sport 2 height when you lock it so if set to Comfort it will rise a bit when you start it up.

 

[whitenemesis]

Assuming yours is the same it's supposed to drop to Sport 2 height when you lock it so if set to Comfort it will rise a bit when you start it up.

That's what mine does. Quite a strange sensation if one sits, door open and one foot on the ground.

 

[b1g1an]

Indeed. Mine has to sit with its nose literally wedged against the wall to be able to shut the garage door and so far I've only forgotten once to be sure it's in Sport 2 when turning off as otherwise it is followed by a stomach churning scrapping sound. Luckily I did have a bit of plastic against the wall as protection and that the number plate holder sticks out further than the bottom of the bumper.

So much for being considerate to passengers