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The sleek, zippy Mercedes-Benz E550 is pure joy to drive — until the AIRMATIC suspension starts acting up. A failing air suspension is a common issue for owners of the vehicle, and fixing those issues can cost a fortune. However, you have several options for solving your Mercedes E550 suspension problems to consider.
In this article, our experts go over the most common suspension issues we see with the Mercedes E550 and some early warning signs of those issues. We also cover your options for fixing these problems, along with their costs, and which option may be the best for you and your Benz.
Mercedes E550: Common Suspension Issues
The Mercedes-Benz AIRMATIC suspension is a complex, high-tech system with lots of components, meaning there is a long list of things that can go wrong. But there are a few E550 suspension problems that are much more common than others. These include:
Leaking Mercedes E550 rear air springs
Faulty AIRMATIC compressor
Malfunctioning E550 ride height sensors
Leaking E550 front air springs
Failure to maintain ride height
Leaking air supply lines
Mercedes-Benz E550 Suspension Failure: Warning Signs
When the diagnostic system in your Mercedes E550 detects a fault in the suspension, it will display a warning sign on the dash panel that reads “AIRMATIC - STOP TOO LOW” or a similar message.
However, there are some signs of a faulty suspension that may appear before the diagnostic system detects a problem. These include:
Sagging: When one or more air springs in a Mercedes E550 isn’t working, the vehicle body may sit lower than it should. In the E550, this most commonly occurs in the rear wheels, but it can occur at one or more of any of the air springs.
Noisy compressor: The compressor that powers your AIRMATIC system runs very quietly under normal conditions. But if there is a leak somewhere in the system, the compressor may work harder than usual to correct the issue. If you notice the compressor in your E550 running very loudly or for longer than normal, this indicates a problem.
Rough ride: Your AIRMATIC system should provide a smooth, cloudlike ride. If you’re noticing a lot of feedback from the road, the system isn’t working as it should.
Swaying or leaning: The E550 is designed to offer tight, responsive handling. If you feel like the body of your Mercedes is swaying or leaning while turning, the air ride is likely to blame.
Long stopping distance: Your Mercedes E550 suspension absorbs a lot of the force when bringing the vehicle to a stop. If the AIRMATIC system isn’t working properly, you may notice that it takes longer than it should to come to a stop, especially at higher speeds.
How To Fix Mercedes E550 Suspension Problems
If you’ve noticed any of the early warning signs listed above or seen the suspension warning light on your Mercedes E550, you should address them as soon as possible. AIRMATIC problems only get worse over time.
You have a few options when it comes to fixing these problems. It’s worth considering each option, along with your budget and personal preferences when deciding how to proceed.
Repair Mercedes E550 Suspension
Most owners’ first option for fixing E550 suspension problems is to visit the Mercedes dealership. If you choose to have your AIRMATIC system repaired, the techs at the service center will replace faulty components with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts.
This leaves your E550 with its factory suspension configuration, but it is an expensive job. Replacing a single AIRMATIC air spring on a Mercedes E550 costs an average of just over $2,300, according to data from RepairPal.
It’s important to understand that your first AIRMATIC repair certainly won’t be your last. Air suspension components tend to wear out at similar rates, meaning you’ll eventually have to replace the remaining air springs. You’ll also likely have to replace other components such as the ride height sensors and compressor.
All in all, repairing your Mercedes E550 AIRMATIC suspension typically ends up costing many thousands of dollars and multiple trips to the service center. That’s more than many owners can or want to spend on an aging E550.
Replace Mercedes E550 Suspension With a Conversion Kit
You do have a more affordable option for ending your AIRMATIC suspension problems — a conversion kit. The Strutmasters Mercedes-Benz E550 suspension conversion kit enables you to replace your failing AIRMATIC system with a brand new coilover suspension. It gets rid of your malfunctioning air ride, installing sturdy steel struts and robust coil springs in its place.
Mercedes E550 Conversion Kit Cost
Price is one of the biggest advantages of our E550 kit. For less than it costs to replace one air spring, you can give your Mercedes an entirely new suspension at all four wheels.
We design our kits to be fast and easy to install, too. That means you won’t have to pay for a lot of labor hours at the shop, either. In fact, the Mercedes-Benz E550 suspension conversion kit installation is so simple, many of our customers choose to do the job themselves at home, saving even more money.
Advantages of E550 Suspension Conversion Kit
There are more upsides to fixing your Mercedes E550 suspension with a conversion kit than just price. Some of the biggest advantages include:
Problem-free suspension: The coil-spring-over-strut design of our conversion kit doesn’t have any moving parts or electronics. Plus, each strut works independently of the others. That means there’s far less that can or will go wrong with a coilover suspension.
Long-lasting performance: Thanks to the simple design of the E550 conversion kit and the premium components Strutmasters uses in it, your new suspension will last you for many miles to come.
Precision engineering: Our engineers spent countless hours testing and refining this kit to provide a fit and performance that rivals the stock AIRMATIC suspension. You don’t have to sacrifice ride quality when you convert.
Strutmasters Mercedes-Benz E550 Suspension Conversion Kit: The Best Fix
In terms of value, the AIRMATIC suspension conversion kit from Strutmasters is the best fix for your E550 suspension problems. For less than the cost of replacing one AIRMATIC strut, you can give your Mercedes an entirely new suspension. The new coilover system provides the ideal balance of damping capability and responsiveness, allowing you to enjoy driving your Benz once again.
You can purchase the Strutmasters Mercedes E550 air suspension conversion kit right here on our website. If you still have some questions or want help finding the right kit for your Benz, our Suspension Experts are standing by at our Roxboro, NC headquarters to help with anything you need.
