[Yenn]

Mercedes will offer the GLC with the option of air suspension, which they want you to combine with the off road package that will allow you to select ride heights. GLC can be raised by 30-50mm and lowered by 15mm...

 

[Dr.G]

I've read the air suspension on the C-Class offers a marked improvement in ride quality. So I'll likely spec it on my GLC.

 

[2112]

I've ordered mine with the air suspension and the off road package, I'll update the thread when I've had a chance to have a bit play with it.

 

[cmptpad]

back in the late 90s air suspension in MBs was a nightmare (my friend's MB has this technology). Hopefully nowadays it's much better. I think some Japanese cars offer it now. Japanese cars rarely - IMO - lead in car technology , but they know how to take existing technology and enhance it and they are very good at it ... Somehow - IMO - I don't think they know how to manufacture cars with road handling capability like MB and BMW ... I could be wrong , ....

 

[2112]

Late 90's air suspension was a nightmare for a few manufacturers. Anyone that's had a 1995 - 2002 model Range Rover will fully understand...

 

[CRNCYX]

Late 90's air suspension was a nightmare for a few manufacturers. Anyone that's had a 1995 - 2002 model Range Rover will fully understand...

I think the Japanese were the only ones to get it right but just didn't offer it in America.

 

[2112]

OK, so I've only got a few miles on the car but the air suspension is fantastic ! Very compliant, smoothing out the bumps and providing a plush, luxurious ride (it's better than the wife's GLC on bumpy roads but don't tell 'er...). You can notice the difference when you change the mode to 'Sport +' too, although the other options (sport, comfort & eco) don't make a lot of difference in my humble opinion. Worth the extra ? Probably, but mostly because I went with the 'off road' package where it will make a big difference over springs. I guess if you do a bit of towing it would make a lot of sense too. I shall update as I get some miles on the old girl (that's the GLC not the wife...).

 

[BenzSIN]

I went for the off-road package on the GLC, but decided against the air suspension. Unlike the earlier W164 ML, you can now get the off-road package without air suspension. Unless MB has made the system much more reliable, it can be a nightmare. On my W164 ML with the off-road package, the front air suspension struts had to be replaced twice on each side at US$2500 a pop. The right rear air suspension bellows had to be replaced twice, and the left one once. All within 10 years. Caveat emptor!

 

[Klass]

I have heard that the older systems weren't that reliable, but I'm sure they've gotten better over the years. Components get revised and updated all the time, especially when they see that they're selling so many replacements or doing so many replacements.

 

[Bsullivan]

Wife and I ordered GLC 300 in December. We were going to go with air until our sales person mentioned that in our desert environment (Phoenix Arizona) life expectancy of components was about 6 years. We tend to keep our cars much longer than that so opted for standard suspension. I would not normally automatically agree with salesperson, but when they recommend NOT to order something I pay attention.

 

[Klass]

It's a rare occasion when a sales person tells you not to spend extra money so it's always a good thing to listen to them at that point! How hot does it get there??

 

[Muks]

I've got air matic speced on my order (250d amg line). Does anyone know how far the car lowers and raises without the off road package?
Thanks

 

[Philamg]

Highest setting: 227mm (8.94in)
- Comfort: 187mm (7.36in)
- Sport+: 177mm (6.97in)

I believe the boot sill lowers 40mm using switch in boot.

 

[Muks]

Thanks Philamg, can't wait to try it out! Waiting for march is painful!

 

[dejongj]

It's a rare occasion when a sales person tells you not to spend extra money so it's always a good thing to listen to them at that point! How hot does it get there??

Unless perhaps he has a model without it that nobody wants and he/she sniffs an opportunity to sell it

#cynical_old_me :grin2:

 

[gb93616]

I have ordered a GLC with Airmatic. Years ago I had a Range Rover with Air Suspension and loved the ride. I also tow a lot so hoping it helps with that too. I didn't get to test drive an Airmatic, so it's a bit of a gamble...

 

[Toobad]

I think your gamble will pay off in spades. After years of enduring cars with "interesting" suspension, my primary objective was comfort. It wasn't hard to be impressed by the ride quality offered by the steel springs of the demonstrator given my terms of reference but I felt the extra £1495 for Air Body Control was a worthwhile investment in my quest for that Holy Grail of magic carpet rides. Mercedes designed a new multi-chambered air suspension system for the GLC in an attempt to further refine the ride quality but with no other points of reference I can't say if it is better or worse than that fitted to other marques. I did notice a further improvement in ride quality when I had the free all-season tyre swop which I put down to the extra flexibility provided by the change in tread pattern and type of rubber used.

I also specified the Off-road Package for the extra £495 because when paired with the air suspension option it allowed access to more drive modes. I also like the stance the increased ride height brings. The 18" rims included in the package provided a tyre sidewall sufficiently tall to promote the best ride quality and make the car less susceptible to the crabbing issue afflicting the RHD models.

A few months ago I did get a malfuction warning which the Star diagnostic machine attributed to the Air Body Control. It turned out the length of time taken for the system to depressurise when the engine stopped had drifted outside the maximum limit set. Mercedes insisted on replacing the whole air compressor pump under warranty and all was well again.