Shaun,

Unless I'm mistaken, ADS was never offered on the W210 E55 over here. May have been an option on your side of the pond.

Good luck in your search.

Mike K.

 

Mike, option 214 which is rear only...Need to look up "skyhook", it doesn't mention it here but it does on the data card.

 

....Method and apparatus for controlling a vehicle suspension system based on sky hook approach - US Patent 7035836 Description

 

It's probably not a bad thing to have, but make sure that the dampers have good life left in them as they are mega money to replace.

 

By the way thanks for the information earlier, I've been setting up a new PC so just read it.....I had read that before but couldn't remember or find it....As for this ADS sounds good in theory but like you say replacements will be silly money. I think I'll give that one a miss although it looks really nice,maybe I'll do some more research....The other thing going off what you said I might hold out for an '01.

 

Just a random thought....but maybe the estate version had it?

 

I'm not sure, but doesn't the road tax change on an '01 which makes that more costly?

I have converted self levelling to standard suspension on one of my other cars when the original shocks wore out. All as it takes is the removal of some pipework and replacing with standard shocks and springs. I bet the computer would throw up an error in these cars though if you were to remove the electrical connectors from the ADS shocks.

 

The road tax goes up from the current £205 a year to £245 which is about 90miles round town in petrol! ( At the moment ) It won't be enough to get off the drive soon.

 

Shaun,

Thanks for setting me straight on that item. Again, I don't believe it was offered over here.

Which brings me to another point. I'm somewhat envious at the different options (from MB,AUDI, and others) that are available in the EU than in the US on the W210. A couple that come to mind would be the folding ext. mirrors, heated rear seats, rear reading lamps, skid plate, etc.

I have a MB vehicle option code book that even lists a floor safe available in our cars.

Cheers !!

Mike K.

 

You can always retrofit some of those EU options on your NA E55. Just need to find an auto slavage yard in Europe that will ship to the USA.

 

Shaun,

Mine has ADS, self levelling at rear and Adaptive front. Have replaced front dampers as found some new ones on ebay cheap. Have replaced one of the rear shocked too but that was not too expensive.

Have not driven one without ADS so have no comparison

Matt

 

I'm still trying to find more info on it.....On the datacard it says adaptive dampening system (ADS) with skyhook.......Option 214....It doesn't mention front or rear, but as you can see on my other post 214 says rear and 216 says all round. Does yours have a button on the console for changing settings or does it just just control it's self......If you PM me your VIN and e-mail address I can look up you data card and see which options it has and send it to you, that's if you don't mind? Cheers. Shaun.

 

Mine has a button above front right window button which turns the electronically controlled from dampers on and off.

 

B15 MAT...........Appreciate some pics please!!!!

We need to see this!

 

I ended up buying a 2001 facelift with ADS, the button as B15 MAT says is above the front window switch. The rear is supplied with oil from the pump which also is the power steering pump and one reservoir for both. The front shocks have an electric solenoid, the switch only has on and off settings.....I found this article that explains it quite well. V12 Uber Alles, Diagnosing the Adaptive Damping System (ADS) in a Mercedes Benz S600 . Although it may be modernised a bit since.I read about the "skyhook" somewhere but can't find it.

 

My ADS switch was lighting up when pressed but to be honest I couldn't tell any difference between on and off.
Today while using my friends computer system to activate the phone, I noticed in options it said "off" next to ADS.
I did a few clicks and turned it on, only driven round the corner so I haven't noticed anything but why would it be turned off at a software level?
Only thing I can think of is that with it being an option is that it was never turned on from new, it's in a list of other options such as TPMS....Possible mistake at the factory or someone in the past turned it off?

 

I have a CLS with SPORTMATIC and I honestly can't tell the difference between I,II or comfort. More MB horsecrap to drive up the price. My 97 E50 had that, same thing didnt notice a difference. I think its a gimmick. Either that or it wears over time to the point you can't tell. Sky hook is just saying that its computer controlled Solenoid/valve actuated.