Sensible family daily wagon - Mercedes Benz S211 E500
Discussion
WMAC95 said:
Please can you confirm which bags you or any other readers with e500 estates confirmed what you have used in the past?
Kind regards,
Will.
Will, I fitted 2 of these to my 2004 e500 last year, easy to do.Kind regards,
Will.
https://m.autodoc.co.uk/arnott/13243661
I did a write up here:
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/s211-airmatic-...
Thanks for the response, J Wood.
I suspected my mechanic was advising incorrectly and the Arnott A2724 will work and clearly have for others. I shall speak to him tomorrow.
Enjoy the trip to Provence, BM. I too have a euro trip planned ultimately ending up in Zermatt, Switzerland. I just hope to do it in my e500, once finally sorted!
I suspected my mechanic was advising incorrectly and the Arnott A2724 will work and clearly have for others. I shall speak to him tomorrow.
Enjoy the trip to Provence, BM. I too have a euro trip planned ultimately ending up in Zermatt, Switzerland. I just hope to do it in my e500, once finally sorted!
Thank you WMAC for the kind words and to J.Wood for the helpful guidance. Interesting that the rears don’t affect the (full) airmatic functionality.
Before WMAC goes the whole hog, there is also a potentially easy fix that I tried, but ultimately didn’t work for me. The metal flange output from the reservoir for each rear air spring can corrode. The consequence is that air can seep between that and the enveloping rubber hose that feeds the spring. This leads to a gradual sinking, particularly noticeable when left unused and also overworks the compressor, so can escalate in associated failures and ultimately, cost and time.
A resolution is to rub down the corroded surface, apply a quick hardening metal paste, with a smooth finish, to replace the perished surface and re-attach and secure the hose.
Mine worked then failed spectacularly; I couldn’t be bothered doing a quick fix again with the far-away indy and so opted to replace them both with new OEM.
Before WMAC goes the whole hog, there is also a potentially easy fix that I tried, but ultimately didn’t work for me. The metal flange output from the reservoir for each rear air spring can corrode. The consequence is that air can seep between that and the enveloping rubber hose that feeds the spring. This leads to a gradual sinking, particularly noticeable when left unused and also overworks the compressor, so can escalate in associated failures and ultimately, cost and time.
A resolution is to rub down the corroded surface, apply a quick hardening metal paste, with a smooth finish, to replace the perished surface and re-attach and secure the hose.
Mine worked then failed spectacularly; I couldn’t be bothered doing a quick fix again with the far-away indy and so opted to replace them both with new OEM.
Edited by bolidemichael on Wednesday 16th August 06:17
bolidemichael said:
They await new stock via used items, as Stegel alluded to above. Recently, I couldn’t find any reconditioned front springs so had to opt for a new one for the nsf.
The MB rear units (the bellows and the attached aluminium reservoir) are identical to, and presumably manufactured in the same plant as, the Bilstein units. I purchased two MB exchange units in 2021; through stupidity and enthusiasm I damaged one unit before the car even saw the road, and bought a Bilstein unit from Autodoc to replace it (yes, I lowered the subframe twice). MB could not take back the damaged unit without having a new unit purchased, which I thought rather wasteful, especially if they are short of refurbishment stock. Stegel said:
bolidemichael said:
They await new stock via used items, as Stegel alluded to above. Recently, I couldn’t find any reconditioned front springs so had to opt for a new one for the nsf.
The MB rear units (the bellows and the attached aluminium reservoir) are identical to, and presumably manufactured in the same plant as, the Bilstein units. I purchased two MB exchange units in 2021; through stupidity and enthusiasm I damaged one unit before the car even saw the road, and bought a Bilstein unit from Autodoc to replace it (yes, I lowered the subframe twice). MB could not take back the damaged unit without having a new unit purchased, which I thought rather wasteful, especially if they are short of refurbishment stock. I wonder whether there is an aftermarket for reconditioning, someone must buy these for repair and sell reconditioned ones on ebay.
The Arnott does away with that reservoir setup so don't have to drop the rear axle. Plus its a better design.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xqK8_2ZFhw&t=...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xqK8_2ZFhw&t=...
Edited by alpinab3 on Wednesday 16th August 10:58
Ive now had the shocks, springs and front arms all replaced as well as the engine mounts. One of the engine mounts was completely trashed with the centre moving around and the top flapping about!
I just have one more lower ball joint to be replaced and then it will be in for alignment. Cant believe the difference it has made, it feels like a proper Mercedes now!
I have a question about the diamond cut wheels - how long do they last before refurb? Mine were originally diamond cut like yours but have been refurbished with paint, and one of them is flaking badly so ideally need doing.
Wondered whether to go with diamond cut or paint for durability?
I just have one more lower ball joint to be replaced and then it will be in for alignment. Cant believe the difference it has made, it feels like a proper Mercedes now!
I have a question about the diamond cut wheels - how long do they last before refurb? Mine were originally diamond cut like yours but have been refurbished with paint, and one of them is flaking badly so ideally need doing.
Wondered whether to go with diamond cut or paint for durability?
I would say 80% of people opt for the simplicity and durability of refurbishing their alloys with a silver finish.
The lacquer on diamond cut is so susceptible to knocking when removing the bolts that the finish can quickly
degenerate.
I, however, opted for the diamond cut because it looks so good.
It’s worth noting that there is talk on forums that there’s a finite number of times the surface of the alloy can be skimmed before it becomes too thin.
The lacquer on diamond cut is so susceptible to knocking when removing the bolts that the finish can quickly
degenerate.
I, however, opted for the diamond cut because it looks so good.
It’s worth noting that there is talk on forums that there’s a finite number of times the surface of the alloy can be skimmed before it becomes too thin.
Okay, a quick recap of the PH25 event. As I had not been able to attend the last Bicester Scramble, which has become the default meet up for a number of barge-thread losers associates, Premier Inn allowed me to roll the booking over to another date — so I thought that PH25 would be suitable and that it’s be a nice occasion to bring the family, if not just the children (as Mrs BoMi may have had it up to her eyeballs with them over the summer). As it turns out, I had organised a visit for work in Leeds after the event, so a solo visit ensued (and Mrs BoMi got the pleasure of entertaining the children by herself).
The drive up was fairly busy, but I arrived in good time to arrive at the restaurant in town — Monty’s Burger — I dined alone on this occasion, but the ambience and food quality were top notch.
The burger selection is quite smart, as one has the option of either brioche or sourdough. I took the server’s suggestion of the latter and the experience was better for it. A nice, tactile unit that doesn’t fall apart.
I didn’t tell them that actually the most optimal bread for a burger is bolo do caco; that’s my secret, so don’t tell anybody, okay?
Having met a barge chum for a beer or two afterwards, I headed back to the hotel.
The drive up was fairly busy, but I arrived in good time to arrive at the restaurant in town — Monty’s Burger — I dined alone on this occasion, but the ambience and food quality were top notch.
The burger selection is quite smart, as one has the option of either brioche or sourdough. I took the server’s suggestion of the latter and the experience was better for it. A nice, tactile unit that doesn’t fall apart.
I didn’t tell them that actually the most optimal bread for a burger is bolo do caco; that’s my secret, so don’t tell anybody, okay?
Having met a barge chum for a beer or two afterwards, I headed back to the hotel.
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