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 $$$.

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........

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

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

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

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

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1993 e300
1995 e320
1994 e320
2006 s500 4matic
2004 Jeep wj overland
2001 Ducati 748
2004 Honda shadow aero