A modern-day Mercedes Benz is designed to be the best luxury executive car in its class which means that a modern-day Mercedes packs an abundance of 21st-century technologies that make the car more comfortable and luxurious, but also make it more prone to having issues.
Brands like Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Range Rover, and Jaguar are not intended to be reliable, they are designed to be innovative and brimming with technology. This means that they are incredibly complex and that these systems require constant attention in order for them to work optimally for the longest.
The Mercedes AIRMATIC system is a Mercedes-branded air suspension system that is designed for optimal comfort, adjustable ride height, and adjustable stiffness to make Mercedes performance cars both stiff and comfortable at the same time.
These systems often suffer from air compressor issues, air strut failures, faulty airlines, electrical issues, and valve blockages. You need to maintain these systems constantly and try to spot any issues as early as possible in order not to completely bankrupt yourself.
Video: Mercedes Airmatic Suspension Fault – Step By Step DIY Diagnostic
Read more about Airmatic issues below the video.
Most common issues associated with the Mercedes AIRMATIC system:
- Air suspension compressor issues
- Air strut issues
- Fuse or relay issues
- Faulty airlines
- Valve blockages
Air suspension compressor issues
The air compressor is designed to generate compressed air which raises the suspension whenever you or the car deem it necessary. The compressor is tied to a motor that is known to blow and sometimes leave the air bellows partially inflated or deflated which often makes the car tilt to one side or the other.
This will cause the brushes within the system to wear out a lot faster and it will also make your Mercedes a lot different to drive. If your compressor fails you are likely going to notice it because your ride height is going to be either uneven or too low to the ground.
Air strut issues
One of the most common issues associated with the AIRMATIC system are air struts cracking and leaking. This issue is the easiest one to spot because it makes your ride height uneven thus making the car lean to one side or the other. This is both uncomfortable and dangerous because the weight distribution will affect your traction and tire wear considerably.
Whenever you sense your Mercedes tilting to one side or the other, be sure to visit a workshop as fast as possible in order not to cause any more issues.
Fuse or relay issues
The purpose of the relay is to engage or disengage the compressor depending on whether the system needs air or not. If the relay is not able to disengage the compressor in due time, the compressor will keep on running in the background which can easily damage it or blow a fuse or two.
This issue is not all that noticeable, but the compressor can usually be heard if you pay close attention.
Faulty airlines
Air lines are designed to send the air to all the associated systems in order to change the car’s ride height. These lines are not made to last forever which means that they can often wear and cause all sorts of air leaks. This leads to your bellows being underinflated which also causes your car to lean to one side or the other.
These lines are known to crack over time and thus need replacing in due time.
Valve blockages
The purpose of the air valve is to let the air out from the reservoir in order to engage the air suspension. The valve is connected to a relay which means that it engages whenever the system needs more air. However, the vales are sometimes known to block themselves and send the air back to the reservoir.
This means that the air bellows are not going to inflate themselves and this should be easily noticeable because your ride height is likely going to drop. If you don’t take care of these issues fast enough, it can even make your car undrivable.
FAQ Section
How much does it cost to repair the Mercedes AIRMATIC system?
The Mercedes AIRMATIC system is known to fail from time to time and the national average costs associated with repairing it are around $800. This $800 price tag comes with labor and parts included. The best thing you can do is ask around and try to find the right balance between the costs and time necessary to repair your car.
The AIRMATIC system is fairly complex and there are many parts that can go break. This means that the costs associated with fixing the system can be worlds apart.
How much does it cost to replace the entire Mercedes AIRMATIC system?
If your Mercedes constantly experiences issues with the AIRMATIC system or if something breaks due to a crash, you will have to replace the entire system at the same time. This can easily cost upwards of $5000 depending on the car in question and how thoroughly damaged the system is.
It is rarely ever necessary to replace the entire system at once, but this can happen if you ignore the issues listed above. As such, always be sure to maintain your Mercedes regularly in order to never experience the need to pay more than $5000 for car parts.
Is the Mercedes AIRMATIC system worth it?
It costs a lot of money to fix the AIRMATIC system and that’s not really a secret. This begs the question of whether the AIRMATIC system is even necessary considering that it costs more than most systems found in a car. The answer to this question is rather subjective as some people believe that a luxury car, especially a Mercedes is not a luxury car without air suspension.
The air suspension system does make the car a lot more comfortable and capable, thus it makes sense to buy a Mercedes with the AIRMATIC system. You do need to take proper care of it in order for it to last a long time. It is indeed worth it to buy a Mercedes with the AIRMATIC system, but don’t ignore any issues you come across, otherwise, you will have to pay.