W211 E55 Airmatic problem - visit workshop!

[GreetMe]

It only did 6k miles in the two years immediately before I bought it so I think it was probably sat around in the previous owner's garage for ages before he sold it. His reason for PXing it was that he just didn't use it any more.

 

[GreetMe]

The Visit Workshop message with the suspension icon appeared again on the way home today. Fortunately I was only about half a mile from home so I nursed it back to the garage to discover that both front wheels have disappeared into the arches. Oh dear. Looks like I can't just clear the message and ignore it this time.

Nothing happens when I try to manually adjust the suspension level; no noise, no movement, nothing.

 

[BlackC55]

It's quite likely to be a faulty pump, relay, chaffed pipe or burnt wiring.

The pumps are so common to fail. I did two today.

 

[GreetMe]

Thanks Olly.

Both sides are the same height if that makes any difference to the diagnosis.

What are the approximate costs for the things you've mentioned?

 

[BlackC55]

The pump and relay fitted inc calibration is about £400 so not too bad.

It takes about an hour to work out the cause.

The problem often lies with an inefficient pump. The pump wears then as it can't pump so efficiently it tends to come on more compounding the problem. This then over heats the pump and burns the wiring. Also if the pump is on more often the relay sticks on, again compounding the issue.

As soon as you get the warning the first time get it plugged in.

The airmatic pipes are a bugger to find a leak on other than in the areas where they are visable. Near the pump they tend to chafe and leak causing the pump to operate more often...

 

[GreetMe]

Thanks a lot Olly.

 

[GreetMe]

I still haven't been able to get this looked at.

The garages I've contacted won't come to where the car is which means I'll have to move it. It can't be driven as it is and it's so low that I don't think it would even make it up the ramp onto a flat bed.

Is it OK to tow an E55 as long as it's in neutral or should it be lifted?

 

[sinewave]

Have a word with a local Clamping firms 'Lifting Contractor'

They could lift your car on to a Transporter and drop it at the garage of your choice.

 

[John]

Is it OK to tow an E55 as long as it's in neutral or should it be lifted?

It's got to be lifted or towed with the rear wheels up in the air and steering locked.

There is or was small scope at very limited speed and distance for towing an auto but it is bugger all. The problem is the ATF is not circulating.

Personally, I wouldn't tow an auto at all with all wheels on the ground.

 

[GreetMe]

Thanks both.

That confirms what I suspected about it needing to be lifted.

I should have bought a C5 RS6. I've never heard of any suspension problems with them.

 

[John]

I should have bought a C5 RS6. I've never heard of any suspension problems with them.

Then you'd spend your life driving a boring car with no personality and plenty of understeer.

Yawn yawn yawn.

 

[GreetMe]

My post was heavy on the sarcasm: C5 RS6s suffer from horribly expensive DRC problems. Most of the ones that are enthusiast-owned have had the whole system ripped out and replaced with coilovers.

I do find the idea of a twin-turbo V8 appealing though. I know the E55 is a quicker car but I keep looking at the RS6 ads nonetheless. Maybe it's an itch I should just scratch and get it over with...

 

[Ian Donkin]

Maybe it's an itch I should just scratch and get it over with...

I had an A8 4.0 TDI Quattro on the itch to scratch basis (awesome v8 diesel), but hated both the drive on country roads and appalling ride quality (bump absorption and noise suppression into the cabin from poor roads).

I can get more steering feel on a computer game; if you enjoy an engaging drive, an Audi of that generation won't provide it!

 

[GreetMe]

I had an A8 4.0 TDI Quattro on the itch to scratch basis (awesome v8 diesel), but hated both the drive on country roads and appalling ride quality (bump absorption and noise suppression into the cabin from poor roads).

I can get more steering feel on a computer game; if you enjoy an engaging drive, an Audi of that generation won't provide it!

Thanks.

I've owned a B6 S4 and a B5 RS4 so I have some experience of older Audis.

I know there are lots of reasons not to buy a C5 RS6: the interior looks really dated, lack of steering feel, etc. But my car choice is always heavily influenced by the engine and a twin-turbo V8 (especially one with an aftermarket exhaust) is hard to ignore.

 

[John]

But my car choice is always heavily influenced by the engine and a twin-turbo V8 (especially one with an aftermarket exhaust) is hard to ignore.

Mine is too, because most of the time, it's the power and soundtrack that does the figures for me.

Handling is good in an E55K, but it is no M3 / M5 - even compared to my 1997 E36 M3 Evo, which handled like it was on tracks.

 

[GreetMe]

Mine is too, because most of the time, it's the power and soundtrack that does the figures for me.

Torque and noise are the most important things for me.

Handling is good in an E55K, but it is no M3 / M5 - even compared to my 1997 E36 M3 Evo, which handled like it was on tracks.

I had an E39 M5 before my E55K and TBH I don't really notice the difference in handling. I'm sure that's down to my lack of talent rather than either of the cars though.

 

[John]

Torque and noise are the most important things for me.


I had an E39 M5 before my E55K and TBH I don't really notice the difference in handling. I'm sure that's down to my lack of talent rather than either of the cars though.

I'm certainly no Tiff but I can get the car moving some sometimes - but I'm sure in the hands of a professional, the Ms would out-handle whereas the E55K would reign those punks in on the straights.

Need to compare against an E60 M5 really to be fairer.

 

[GreetMe]

My suspension isn't as borked as I thought it was.

The message was relayed to me by my girlfriend who was on the phone when the mechanic was talking to her but apparently the pumps are fine; a rod (or rods) going to a sensor (or sensors) has failed.

I'll post up the costs when it's fixed next week but the message is "it won't cost as much as replacing the pump".

 

[Alps]

top news the arms are a little plastic peice and can fall out of the socket, theres no real pressure so its may have just popped out.

always overlook the simple fixes

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

The rods can stick too. Off the shelf part at the parts counter.