Many modern Mercedes use a property "Airmatic" suspension system instead of the more common coil spring suspension found in many vehicles. This system offers several significant benefits to drivers, including auto-leveling and adjustable ride height. But, unfortunately, this sophisticated system also comes with its fair share of problems and potentially expensive repairs.
Although the details vary from model to model, these systems all include various specialized components, including an air compressor, level sensors, control unit, and more. The air springs are the core of the system, and they include multiple chambers to provide varying levels of suspension stiffness. All of these parts work together to provide an adjustable, comfortable, and sporty ride.
Common Failure Points
Despite their reputation as being somewhat temperamental, the Airmatic components on most Mercedes vehicles are relatively reliable. In most cases, you aren't likely to experience failures until your car has well over 100,000 miles, and you're unlikely to replace these components more than once. Still, it's a good idea to recognize these common failure points to maintain your car's handling.
The air springs (or the dampers on the front wheels) will usually fail first. These components tend to last longer than the gas struts on many luxury cars, but you can still expect them to fail once your vehicle is into six-digit mileage numbers. With a leaky damper or spring, you'll notice your car begin to sag at one or more wheels.
The compressor is another common issue that occurs in higher-mileage Mercedes. When the compressor fails, you'll lose features such as auto-leveling, and your overall ride height may drop. You'll also usually receive an error message from the car. In severe cases, the ride height may fall low enough that the vehicle will become undrivable.
Repairing Failed Air Suspension Components
While there are many potential problem areas for an air suspension, the good news is that components typically fail individually. So in most cases, you can address the immediate problem without needing to repair the whole system. For some parts, this can mean that restoring your suspension to normal operation should be relatively cheap.
For some components, such as the air springs or dampers, you may want to consider proactive repair when one fails. These parts will often begin to wear out around the same mileage, so a failure in one damper typically means that the others are not too far behind. At a minimum, you should replace them on a per-axle basis and have your technician check for leaks at the other wheels.
Maintaining an Airmatic suspension requires a bit more knowledge and care than a more standard design, but the benefits can be worth it. Reach out to a Mercedes mechanic shop like Wayne Purdy European Motors if you've noticed issues with your suspension.
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