When I went to MB W220 training (late 1999) I remember being told about the lifting/jacking issue, so following your advice, I checked out the PDI checklist. The list for model year 2000-01 says (exactly as you stated) to make sure the instrument cluster turns off before raising the car. The checklist for subsequent years doesn't include this warning. I checked WIS-net for work instructions concerning Air-Matic equipped MB's and found no warnings or recommendations with regard to lifting/jacking these cars. After speaking with an MB rep, I learned that when the 220 was launched, there was some concern that the air-struts could leak if the car was lifted while CAN was awake. This could result in strut damage if the car were to be lowered with no air pressure in the struts. This concern (leaking when raised) was later proven to be unfounded, hence the change in the PDI checklist, WIS instructions, etc.