Air vs coil over shocks
 

Rebuilding suspension on 2001 s500 front to back and changing shocks at same time...my quandry is this....should I go with air shocks or conventional....opinions please...

Lyle in texas

I’ve driven a number of W220’s with the Air-Matic delete kit. They definitely drive differently but still OK. I don’t know who offers the delete kits or the cost, but I do know that an OE rebuild will cost $$$.

air Vs coil
 

Meaning the air shocks are really expensive....

conventional shocks/springs are a "fit and forget" kind of deal


air ride even when you "fix it" something else will go sooner or later

The struts are a common failure, as is the compressor. Less likely to fail but still common is the valve block. Level sensor failure is uncommon but happens occasionally. ECU failure is very rare........

Shocks
 

The question is can you get the same quality ride with coil over struts....

I suppose it's a matter of opinion, but as I said in my first post, they drive differently. A properly functioning Air-Matic system provides a much nicer ride IMHO.

The 1 year only S350 W220 short wheel base was sold in the US with coil springs from the factory.

I think the op might be intending if the cost to go to a spring kit($2000?) is worth the cost and ride quality vs maintaining the air struts. Maybe it’s possible to just swap out the fronts and keep the rear air shocks? I’ve had a car with the leveling system and it’s the bees knees when hauling around a bunch of fat friends or biatches