Buying W220 with collapsed front suspension

[amazighman]

Hello guys.

I would like to get a bigger car, i had a look at some old w210 but they almost all are rusty, i then decided to search for a 2004 onwards W220 to avoid rust issues.

I found one S320 CDI 2004 model but the air suspension has collapsed/sunk to the floor on both front wheels.
I guess it is probably one of the air shocks has failed and leaks air.
I am quite good with the spanners and i can change an air shock or compressor quite easy, is there anything else that could have failed in the airmatic system?

Are these W220 Mercs any good and reliable apart from the airmatic trouble?what to look for in one of these?

Thanks

 

[Flyinspanner]

Valve blocks, pump.

Electrics - check they all work.

 

[98Dynaglide]

Valve blocks, pump.

Electrics - check they all work.

Pump is easy and cheap to replace, behind front bumper, pop headlamp out to help removal from underneath driver's side corner. Nuts can break off so take care.
Remove engine cover and check for ' black death' around injectors.
Plastic fuel lines become brittle over time, around £120 to replace.
Two working keys! Replacements are expensive.
Sat nav has disc in.
Auto fluid been changed.
Ball joints can clunk, but only a tenner each, need tool to fit.
Second hand bits are cheap.
New ones not bad either, just did rear discs and pads on mine, £60 from EuroCar parts.

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[98Dynaglide]

Pump is easy and cheap to replace, behind front bumper, pop headlamp out to help removal from underneath driver's side corner. Nuts can break off so take care.
Remove engine cover and check for ' black death' around injectors.
Plastic fuel lines become brittle over time, around £120 to replace.
Two working keys! Replacements are expensive.
Sat nav has disc in.
Auto fluid been changed.
Ball joints can clunk, but only a tenner each, need tool to fit.
Second hand bits are cheap.
New ones not bad either, just did rear discs and pads on mine, £60 from EuroCar parts.

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Sometimes a leak in the system lowers the front end over a few days, once the car is run it pumps up again and all is well unless left standing again.
Run every day or two, all should be ok.

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[Botus]

1500 a corner (will need 4 !)
600 for the compressor (pikey 200)
200 valve block (pikey 70)
or 900 quid to fit conventional shocks

my advice would be get a mondeo will last longer and its a nicer drive

 

[98Dynaglide]

1500 a corner (will need 4 !)
600 for the compressor (pikey 200)
200 valve block (pikey 70)
or 900 quid to fit conventional shocks

my advice would be get a mondeo will last longer and its a nicer drive

Compressors, part number 211 320 0304, are £126 new on eBay including postage.
Tons of W220s in the breakers yards, bits are cheap - unlike the W221.
Just done rear discs and pads on mine, £52 new from Euro Car Parts - less than Fiesta prices?
Can be run on a shoestring budget these days...

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[98Dynaglide]

1500 a corner (will need 4 !)
600 for the compressor (pikey 200)
200 valve block (pikey 70)
or 900 quid to fit conventional shocks

my advice would be get a mondeo will last longer and its a nicer drive

Compressors, part number 211 320 0304, are £126 new on eBay including postage.
Tons of W220s in the breakers yards, bits are cheap - unlike the W221.
Just done rear discs and pads on mine, £52 new from Euro Car Parts - less than Fiesta prices?
Can be run on a shoestring budget these days...

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[amazighman]

1500 a corner (will need 4 !)
600 for the compressor (pikey 200)
200 valve block (pikey 70)
or 900 quid to fit conventional shocks

my advice would be get a mondeo will last longer and its a nicer drive

I know that parts for air matic suspension are not expensive as like other guys said.
Nobody pays 1500 for an air shock these days,maybe was when car was new and costed a fortune.
I have seen air shocks for as little as 60 pounds used, and 300 pounds for the pair new refurbished on ebay, compressors are not that expensive too.
Does anyone know if black death is common on s class diesel especially post 2003 cars? Any oil leak issues?

 

[98Dynaglide]

I know that parts for air matic suspension are not expensive as like other guys said.
Nobody pays 1500 for an air shock these days,maybe was when car was new and costed a fortune.
I have seen air shocks for as little as 60 pounds used, and 300 pounds for the pair new refurbished on ebay, compressors are not that expensive too.
Does anyone know if black death is common on s class diesel especially post 2003 cars? Any oil leak issues?

Not really as bad as everyone makes out.
Think it's more common on the smaller engines.
Not that big a deal to fix either, if caught early enough - just messy. Honda Accord 2.2 injector seals are the answer. Need that slide hammer tool to get em out, and don't forget they're coded to the car.
If you can't remove the engine cover to check and the cars not misfiring I wouldn't worry too much.
Oil leaks are usually confined to the turbo pipe down by the rad at the front of the motor, again seals are around £6 and easy enough to do.
Clumsy oil changes are sometimes mistaken for leaks.

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[amazighman]

Not really as bad as everyone makes out.
Think it's more common on the smaller engines.
Not that big a deal to fix either, if caught early enough - just messy. Honda Accord 2.2 injector seals are the answer. Need that slide hammer tool to get em out, and don't forget they're coded to the car.
If you can't remove the engine cover to check and the cars not misfiring I wouldn't worry too much.
Oil leaks are usually confined to the turbo pipe down by the rad at the front of the motor, again seals are around £6 and easy enough to do.
Clumsy oil changes are sometimes mistaken for leaks.

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As you own an S class w220 do you have an idea what could make the front end of the car drop very low equally on both sides?

 

[98Dynaglide]

As you own an S class w220 do you have an idea what could make the front end of the car drop very low equally on both sides?

Weak pump, mine does it after it's been sat for a few days. (6 or 7)
After starting, white warning light on dash then goes off once pump primes itself.
Got my own Carsoft diagnostic, that's why it told me.
Used daily, no problems.

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[98Dynaglide]

Weak pump, mine does it after it's been sat for a few days. (6 or 7)
After starting, white warning light on dash then goes off once pump primes itself.
Got my own Carsoft diagnostic, that's why it told me.
Used daily, no problems.

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Forgot to say, 5 minute job to pop the driver's side headlamp out and check it.

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[amazighman]

Forgot to say, 5 minute job to pop the driver's side headlamp out and check it.

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Now as i have not viewed the car yet, doe the w220 s320 cdi 2004 models have standard airmatic or they have ABC?

 

[LostKiwi]

Easiest way to tell if any car is ABC is if there are wires coming out the top of the strut in the engine bay. If yes = ABC

 

[Botus]

I know that parts for air matic suspension are not expensive as like other guys said.
Nobody pays 1500 for an air shock these days,maybe was when car was new and costed a fortune.
I have seen air shocks for as little as 60 pounds used, and 300 pounds for the pair new refurbished on ebay, compressors are not that expensive too.
Does anyone know if black death is common on s class diesel especially post 2003 cars? Any oil leak issues?

enjoy

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[amazighman]

Botus.
I was checking prices yesterday and found a supplier on ebay who has the front pair refurbished for 300 pounds.
In the breakers yard they are about 60 -100 pounds a corner.... I got quotes around 250 for the pair from Dronsfield and Prestige and Tristar....if you dont know where and how to source the parts on the cheap then obviously you ll head to GSF and ECP and pay mega bucks.

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Front-Air-Suspenison-Shock-for-Mercedes-S-Class-W220-S430-S500-S600-S55-AMG/322386825570?fits=Car+Make:Mercedes-Benz|Plat_Gen:W220&hash=item4b0fc09162:g:y1cAAOSw9GhYddj-

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES-S-CLASS-W220-FRONT-NEAR-AND-OFFSIDE-AIRMATIC-SHOCK-ABSORBER-STRUT/263310602525?fits=Car+Make:Mercedes-Benz|Plat_Gen:W220&epid=1384328788&hash=item3d4e88f11d:g:XOAAAOSwZB9aBFVm

 

[om613]

Not really as bad as everyone makes out.
Think it's more common on the smaller engines.
Not that big a deal to fix either, if caught early enough - just messy. Honda Accord 2.2 injector seals are the answer. Need that slide hammer tool to get em out, and don't forget they're coded to the car.

Your 2001 car must have the OM613 engine?
These CDI2 injectors aren't coded.

 

[98Dynaglide]

Your 2001 car must have the OM613 engine?
These CDI2 injectors aren't coded.

...Yep, it does - didn't know that!
Good to know for future reference.
Thanks.

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[Botus]

Botus.
I was checking prices yesterday and found a supplier on ebay who has the front pair refurbished for 300 pounds.
In the breakers yard they are about 60 -100 pounds a corner.... I got quotes around 250 for the pair from Dronsfield and Prestige and Tristar....if you dont know where and how to source the parts on the cheap then obviously you ll head to GSF and ECP and pay mega bucks.

the w220 is prone to strut failure at this age (and all the other elements pipes, pump, valve block)
If you really found a great example, have 24 hr access to a ramp & heater and like your weekends under the car buy and enjoy....

if I really wanted one and need to do a single strut or pump repair on this model I'd swap out for a set of real springs and dampers two big suppliers and all four corners for 800 or 900 quid, then you never need to worry about any part of this letting go

Lots have listed fun with rebuilt units even form the big name reputable reman companies... and I'd never put on a secondhand unit as will be no better (likely worse) than the one you have

 

[amazighman]

I might have a look at an S320 cdi 2002 model soon...
I am aware of MB rust issues around those years as i have a W208 430 .
Mercedes Benz has gradually moved to galvanized panels around last quarter 2002.
Anyone with a 2002 s class to shed some light ?