What is your question?
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What is your question?
Smooth on asphalt, but on concrete tire slap on expansion joints, rougher ride
What makes this problem better or worse?
Nothing
How long has your 2016 Mercedes-Benz S550 had this problem?
The last year
1 Reply
Hi, this is Bo, an auto expert on RepairPal's Car Genius team! At 50,000 miles, your S550’s **AIRMATIC suspension** is likely showing signs of wear, especially if you’re feeling more tire slap and a rougher ride. The springs themselves (air springs in this case) don’t usually "wear out" at this mileage but can develop leaks over time. However, the shocks (or air struts, since they’re integrated) typically start to degrade after 50,000–60,000 miles, depending on driving conditions. If your ride feels rough and sharp impacts like expansion joints are more pronounced, the shocks may no longer be effectively damping the suspension movement. You could also check the suspension bushings and tires, as they contribute to ride comfort. If you’re replacing the air struts, stick to OEM or high-quality equivalents—cutting corners here can lead to some expensive regret. If you need any further advice or want help finding a trusted RepairPal shop in your area, please feel free to call us at 877-913-1554.