My question is: Should the height of the car lower after you shut off the engine? Or does that indicate a leak?
Example: After test driving this S500 I'm interested in, I got out and the car lowered about an inch, is this normal? Thanks guys and check out my other post with a carfax on it. What do you guys think about this MB?

 

no, the car should not lower, there is probably a leak in suspension somewhere!

 

my wife just reminded me that I was playing with the "shock height" button while we were test driving it. Now, does that make a difference or should it still not change height after we shut the engine and get out?

I really need your opinion, I don't want to buy a problematic car. I figure it's had enough repairs to work out all the deffects, but I could be wrong.

 

it should stay in the position that you last left it in

 

Not 100% sure re your question.
Tend to agree with Vorpar but I'm not sure whether the command to RAISE the car (Two red lights) on dash "WADING" switch is cancelled on ignition off. I think it might and if so this would lead to the car lowering about an inch and the hiss.
The car should definitely NOt lower on ignition off if at the normal ride height (switch off = no lights on).
However over a few days the car will gradually sink dependent upon tolerances in the various valves etc.. This loss of air is quickly made up when ignition is back on UNLESS there is a significant leak in which case the air pump soon wears out trying to achieve the correct height constantly.
Sorry I can't be 100% sure. Haven't got my cxar with me at present.

 

from what i gather from the info, this is normal. the car will level out after you have shut the car off.around a few minutes. if it has airmatic you will hear a release vlave open, and the car begins to level out to normal height. and if you have it in your garage, you may hear the tires make noise on the floor from change in alignment angles when the car lowers. but if it lower a lot id say over 2 inches, especally more in one corner of the car,there maybe a leak.

 

My S320 from 2000 (w220) is releasing some air after stop the engine and also is lowering, never check how much, but this should be normal.If I park with front over some side walk I have to wait after engine start for raise back in order not to scratch it, becouse it hapend to me second day after purchase :-(
Anyway once I have stop with the care raise all the way up over some tall edge stone and then the car stayed up.