Air suspension covers

[bc100]

At a recent service, Mercedes highlighted that the gaiters surrounding the front air suspension bags are split and need replacing. In fact one has come away and slipped down.
The work was flagged as "amber", and as the quote was £730, the service manager said not to worry too much. Of course I decided on the spot not to do it and perhaps leave it for next year.
Has anyone here had this problem and what would their thoughts be?

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

If it’s not an MoT failure (which I’m sure it‘s not) I wouldn’t bother this Is a common failure, those on my car were like it at 4yrs old when I bought it and it’s 10yrs old now and it’s not been a problem just cut them back so they don’t foul the wheel. Unfortunately it’s a design failure as the airbags are fitted to a type of McPherson strut design and the gaiters deteriorate from object/snow/ice/mud damage from being close to the road wheel and the new ones will go the same way. The Original MB designed air strut was fitted to a wishbone suspension so the damage issue didn’t occur it was the Chrysler partnership that introduced Mcpherson struts and since the divorce MB have reverted to the much better wishbone suspension on the W213.

 

[alexanderfoti]

We cut them off when they are falling apart.

By the time they have deteriorated, the struts are normally fairly worn. They tend to rub on the inside of the tyres when falling apart.

 

[bc100]

Well I feel better now about the service manager's advice and I think he said it was not an MOT failure as well. I might get them removed next time I get the rear disks done. No warning of worn struts came up though. Ive done around 72000 miles, how would I know my struts are wearing?

 

[alexanderfoti]

Well I feel better now about the service manager's advice and I think he said it was not an MOT failure as well. I might get them removed next time I get the rear disks done. No warning of worn struts came up though. Ive done around 72000 miles, how would I know my struts are wearing?

Same as traditional, bouncing suspension or dropping/leaning