Does this E320 (2004 S211) have air suspension that can fail a-la-Airmatic?

[ezaj]

Hello,
I have read here and there that S211 have rear suspension leveling, even if they don't have the airmatic option.
Is that true? And if yes, does it fail like the Airmatic suspension? Is it as expensive to fix?

If that is the case, it means that it is really not interesting to buy those S211... On the W211 you have the choice, but on the S211 you have no choice?

For info, here is the car I am interested to buy: WDB2112821X161627

Your inputs are highly valuable!! Thanks a lot!

 

[Ian Parkin]

Yes w211 estates do have self levelling suspension that operates on air rather than oil as the previous estates W123,124,210 s
Though I understand it's a very reliable system
I had trouble with the system on all the oil systems but not had any with my s211 so far and not noticed many threads about trouble on here

 

[television]

As above, standard on the estates, a possible option on some of the saloons

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Yes as above, the 211 does have rear airmatic suspension on the S211 estates and very little posted on here regarding problems so must be very reliable.

I bought a fully (front and rear suspension) airmatic S212 on the basis that the rear suspension was airmatic as standard and the air pump, valve block etc were already present on the car so all that was required were the two front airmatic struts.

Quite pleased with the full S212 estate airmatic system it performs very well

 

[V6Matty]

Ran my 2004 S211 for 6years and 120k miles and only had a small problem with a rear stut right at the end of ownership which may not have been a problem in the end

 

[ezaj]

Thanks to all of you for your replies!

I am then wondering, what is the cost of replacement of the rear self levelling parts if they fail? Are we talking 1-2k, or 3-5 k?

 

[V6Matty]

think I looked at replacement costs on mine and worked out it was about £1500 for the two struts and pipe work including labour, not silly money but yes not cheap, but now I'm in a car without SLS I really do miss it, in fact I really miss my 211, I really shouldn't have sold her

 

[Craiglxviii]

Your next 211/ 212 is just around the corner and you know it!

 

[V6Matty]

the 215 is still more appealing Craig This one has a lot of options and the seller doesn't know what he's got, the pictures aren't great either, looks like it's just missing keyless and the fridge which is ok

 

[Craiglxviii]

the 215 is still more appealing Craig This one has a lot of options and the seller doesn't know what he's got, the pictures aren't great either, looks like it's just missing keyless and the fridge which is ok

It is an appealing car... considering those KG keycards are not supported any more I'd say it's a better choice not having them. The fridge is also tiny and I prefer having the first aid kit in the space.

Nasty wheels though. I have the original 5 spoke light alloy 18" for mine if you want them.

 

[V6Matty]

very true regarding the keyless and fridge, their both something I'm not particularly bothered about either. Oddly I do actually like the 17's, ok they are a little tatty but a £250 refurb powder coat will make them look nice again, will keep that in mind though as a set for winter would never go a miss

 

[Craiglxviii]

very true regarding the keyless and fridge, their both something I'm not particularly bothered about either. Oddly I do actually like the 17's, ok they are a little tatty but a £250 refurb powder coat will make them look nice again, will keep that in mind though as a set for winter would never go a miss

That's what I thought, then I read the reviews on all season tyres vs winter tyres (there's about 5% in it performance wise), bought a new set of wheels that I prefer- thinner spokes, AMG style- and whacked the all seasons on them instead. So the original wheels are taking up a corner of my garage. I actually quite like them, I just prefer my new ones.