It's probably the OE supplier for Volvo (Mercedes, Audi, BMW), that would be my guess. Even some of the Arnott parts are made in the EU, could be the same supplier as well. If shipping isn't too bad I would go for it.

I mean its made in Germany, how bad could it be?

Looking at their website, you can get two rear bags and both front shocks for about 1400.00 US fun bucks, shipped. That's pretty good.

 

Even if they are OE supplier, most aftermarket lines from the same company are not at the same quality. Sometimes they are. With the fronts, the big question I would have is if the shock is electronically adjustable like the OE shock. Sometimes they are, sometimes they are just a resistor so the car doesn't throw a code.

 

I also do not see the rear bags offered as an option.

 

https://www.miessler-automotive.com/Suspension_612

 

I didn't know Miessler was an option. I just replaced my front struts with Arnott replacements and have been very happy with them so far.

 

Do they raise and lower the car as the original, ie off road, comfort, economy?

 

No mention of where they are manufactured either...

 

My 2021’s are made by ATE. I’ll have to check the 2023 once my wife is home.

 

Looks like they might still be from ATE, at least according to this:

Volvo XC90 Suspension Strut (Right, Front). AIR SPRING - 32269549 | The Autobarn Volvo Cars Oak Park, Oak Park IL

Suspension Strut (Right, Front). AIR SPRING. Volvo XC90. Genuine Volvo Part - 32269549 (31476851, 31658904, 31658928). Ships from The Autobarn Volvo Cars Oak Park, Oak Park IL

parts.volvooakpark.com

 

They’re all made by ATE

 

And ATE is owned by continental. Arnott uses eibach struts and continental rubber, curious what Miessler uses. The prices are definitely cheaper for Miessler.

 

$1800 is MSRP. The part can easily be purchased from online Volvo dealers for $1350. Second, it is not just an air spring, it is an air spring combined with an electronically adjustable shock/strut assembly.

 

But isn’t Arnot and Miessler as well?

 

https://www.miessler-automotive.com/Audi-Q7-4L-Air-suspension-strut-RL-7L6616019

Example product where the description states its made in Germany and that the strut is electronically adjustable.

 

https://www.miessler-automotive.com/VOLVO-XC90-II-XC60-II-XC40-Air-spring-damper-air-suspension-FR

Says "active chassis" in the description and shows the adjustment valve in the product pictures. Looks like adjustable to me, but what shows up in the mail might be different.

 

The adjustment valve is not shown. An electrical connector is shown. Most of these aftermarket products will have the connector but it is simply a resistor behind it so that the car ECU does not complain. I highly doubt there is anyone making an aftermarket electronically adjustable shock for this vehicle. There is simply too much effort and intellectual property involved in the process. I actually have never seen an aftermarket electronically adjustable shock made for any vehicle application. It is always a fixed damper with a dummy electrical connector.

The statement "Front right air spring / active chassis for Volvo " strikes me as the description of what the product is designed to be "compatible" with. It is not a description of the product itself.

I do not expect the Arnott product to be much better, but atleast they source some of the components from quality suppliers.

 

Arnott most definitely makes real replacements. I put them on my car and it self levels and adjusts with the different drive modes..

 

Looks adjustable height to me with the airline attachment and air chamber but what do I know? And I was thinking the damper adjustment for dynamic setting that stiffens the shock not height adjustment for the ride heights at first.

My bad. Guess I'm done here.

 

They are air springs and as such will go up and down as controlled by the car air compressor, valve block and ECU. However the dampeners are (probably) not electronically adjustable.

@Rodtheviking - I'm not trying to be argumentative, just accurate. The product page is showing the connector so that the average consumer thinks they might be electronically adjustable. Honestly, the product description is vague at best but more misleading in my mind.

 

What do you want to improve by swapping?

 

Actually not swapping them at the moment, but got to looking at them, while researching the compressor issue.

Cold weather in Chicago caused the typical compressor issue, pop the breaker when cold, run just fine when warm. Of course just out of the extended warranty.

So just wanted to get a feel for what the suspension would cost if it goes bad and what people were doing.

 

Guys, the air bags are real airbags. All of the leveling stuff will be the same. Independently, this car has electronic adjustable shocks. The car can make the shocks firmer or softer depending on driving conditions. I have been trying to communicate that the aftermarket shocks are not adjustable. Its the adjustable shocks that makes the OE replacements so expensive.

 

Guys, the air bags are real airbags. All of the leveling stuff will be the same. Independently, this car has electronic adjustable shocks. The car can make the shocks firmer or softer depending on driving conditions. I have been trying to communicate that the aftermarket shocks are not adjustable. Its the adjustable shocks that makes the OE replacements so expensive.

So Arnott’s and Meissler for sure do not have electronic adjustable shocks? Just auto leveling?