markben
Senior Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2017
- Messages
- 191
- Reaction score
- 266
- Location
- Bristol UK
- Your Mercedes
- w220 2004 S320L CDI
Dear w220 S Class owners / techies
Can anyone help with a continuing problem with harsh suspension / ride on my pristine but very 'lumpy' 2004 S320L CDI! Mileage 112k, airmatic compressor & relay replaced at approx 70k, no airmatic leaks, front strut tops appear perfect (no cracks) car always maintains height / no 'dropping' when left for a few days. 3 lots of STAR diagnostics have shown-up NO airmatic faults other than a front accelerometer - which was replaced with no improvement - and the struts reported 'to be actuating ok'. No warning lights coming on, car raises as it should using the dash button. Tyres / pressures all checked (Continental Conti Eco contact 5 XL). Lots of front bushing / control arms / ball joints replaced along the way. Very thorough service and maintenance history - cherished by previous owner.
BUT...! The car rides atrociously (i.e. extremely stiff / harsh damping) over even small depressions and ridges on urban roads - almost as if the airmatic sytem pressure is too high / not releasing or adjusting to enable effective 'soft' damping, especially at the front? It rides more like a go kart!
Could this be down to a faulty / 'sticky' valve block and / or pressure release valve - but which isn't showing up on STAR when the car is stationary (only a guess)? The harshness seems to vary a little at times but is never 'butter soft', as one member described it should be like. The car was unused for several months before I bought it. In all other respects, it's superb.
Any ideas much appreciated...
Many thanks
Markben
Can anyone help with a continuing problem with harsh suspension / ride on my pristine but very 'lumpy' 2004 S320L CDI! Mileage 112k, airmatic compressor & relay replaced at approx 70k, no airmatic leaks, front strut tops appear perfect (no cracks) car always maintains height / no 'dropping' when left for a few days. 3 lots of STAR diagnostics have shown-up NO airmatic faults other than a front accelerometer - which was replaced with no improvement - and the struts reported 'to be actuating ok'. No warning lights coming on, car raises as it should using the dash button. Tyres / pressures all checked (Continental Conti Eco contact 5 XL). Lots of front bushing / control arms / ball joints replaced along the way. Very thorough service and maintenance history - cherished by previous owner.
BUT...! The car rides atrociously (i.e. extremely stiff / harsh damping) over even small depressions and ridges on urban roads - almost as if the airmatic sytem pressure is too high / not releasing or adjusting to enable effective 'soft' damping, especially at the front? It rides more like a go kart!
Could this be down to a faulty / 'sticky' valve block and / or pressure release valve - but which isn't showing up on STAR when the car is stationary (only a guess)? The harshness seems to vary a little at times but is never 'butter soft', as one member described it should be like. The car was unused for several months before I bought it. In all other respects, it's superb.
Any ideas much appreciated...
Many thanks
Markben