Front Shock Package

[Ranger_Vet]

I have a 2000 CLK-430 with 98k on it. Although it dose not need Front Shocks right away, I just wanted to beat it to the punch. Now this price dose not come from a Dealership...(I Never go to Dealerships) but my mechanic I've known for quite sometime. I was quoted that to replace the front shocks would run me in the area of 900.00 dollars......Dose that sound correct??

Thank You.

[stim141]

Seems a little high considering a pair of Bilsteins only costs about 250. Labor at 120 per hour (high) takes about 4 hours to replace a pair of shocks!!!!? Think about it. Remove two wheels on a lift + unbolt / compress / unbolt and refit?

I was quoted at the dealership about 825 for the rears - which is insane!

[Hary Gahtoe]

If he replaces all 4 that's an OK price if he uses say HD Bilsteins

AllShocks.com | 2000Â*MERCEDES BENZÂ*CLK320, CLK430 Bilstein Shocks'

[Pancho]

Originally Posted by Ranger_Vet

I have a 2000 CLK-430 with 98k on it. Although it dose not need Front Shocks right away, I just wanted to beat it to the punch. Now this price dose not come from a Dealership...(I Never go to Dealerships) but my mechanic I've known for quite sometime. I was quoted that to replace the front shocks would run me in the area of 900.00 dollars......Dose that sound correct??

Thank You.

1. You can't put HD's on all four corners.
2. $900 is ridiculous for front shocks--dealership level larceny. It's also very steep for 4 shocks.

You can get all four shocks for $347.23. The two front Bilstein HD's are $200.20 for the pair. That shop is charging you $700 to install 2 shocks. Takes about 30 minutes for each at a good amateur pace. That rate works out to $700 an hour. Holy cow, why go to law school. Nice pay, if you can get it. If you've known that wrench for quite some time, then he has been cleaning up on you. You might be better off going to a dealer.

$900 is very steep for 4 shocks. At $347.23 for the shocks, then that still works out at $238 and hour, for installing shocks.

It's not rocket science.
Here's some info to help you with this purchase.
Can not put HD's on all four corners, because
Bilstein does not make an HD companion shock for rear of a W208.
Here is the usual set up when you want HD up front:
Front: BE3-2598-H0 (FRONT RIGHT&LEFT) these are HD, rev. # 24-025980, yellow.
Rear: B36-1857-H0 (REAR RIGHT&LEFT) these are touring, rev. # 24-018579, black.
Got the fronts at Dons Sport Vehicle Sales at eshocks.com $100.10 x2, free ship $200.20
Got the rears on ebay, $65.97 each, 131.94, 15.09 shipping: $147.03
Difference between Bilstein Sport and HD:
HD & Sports (for our car) have the SAME valving. The difference is that the Sports have a 1" shorter shaft and are meant for lowering applications of more than 1".
If I still have the photos, then will do an instructional on this job.

[Ranger_Vet]

I believe that most of you did not read the first line I wrote. I said that I wanted to replace the "Front" shocks" which means "Two". But my mechanic was also telling me that he would replace the "Struts" as well. But google is a beautiful thing. I looked around at the shocks and struts for mh car, and your all correct.....I'll confront him about the price on Monday....It's not that I need the two right now. I just want to do all the preventive work now instead of runing into it when it NEEDS it......

Thank You all for your help and wisdom......

[Pancho]

Originally Posted by Ranger_Vet

I believe that most of you did not read the first line I wrote. I said that I wanted to replace the "Front" shocks" which means "Two". But my mechanic was also telling me that he would replace the "Struts" as well. But google is a beautiful thing. I looked around at the shocks and struts for mh car, and your all correct.....I'll confront him about the price on Monday....It's not that I need the two right now. I just want to do all the preventive work now instead of runing into it when it NEEDS it......

Thank You all for your help and wisdom......

He wants to also replace your "struts".
Ask this crook to show you the struts when he has your vehicle on the lift.
Then, while he's searching high and low for your struts,
you might want to point out that the W208 doesn't have any.
You need another shop, but you've done the right thing by seeking info on the forum.
Don't get distracted--it's not goog that saved you. It's this forum.
Get it. This forum = another enlightened W208 owner.

[Ranger_Vet]

WOW, Thank you VERY much for that Info.....I was totally unaware that my
2000 CLK-430 had no struts......Hell, that should lower the price by 500.00 dollars....lol

[Pancho]

Originally Posted by Ranger_Vet

WOW, Thank you VERY much for that Info.....I was totally unaware that my
2000 CLK-430 had no struts......Hell, that should lower the price by 500.00 dollars....lol

Struts are different from shocks.

A strut is a complicated part, typically found in front wheel drive vehicles. It is a single assembly that can incorporate a coil spring, a ball joint, a damper, and eliminates the upper control arm, and is usually integral to the steering system. Struts are more expensive than shocks. Front wheel drive vehicles are cramped for front end space, so they can eliminate the upper control arm by combining functions in a strut. For the owner, this means that replacing the damper, is much more expensive than just replacing a shock. It's an aid for the manufacturer, but an additional maintenance expense for the owner.

A shock absorber dampens shock, and is not part of the steering system. It is a less complicated part, less expensive, easier to replace, and its performance is not compromised by having to do too many things at the same time.

The W208 is not a front wheel drive vehicle, and does not use struts. It has the separate spring and shock and control arm configuration.

[Pancho]

Here's an instructional I just put together:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w208...ml#post5119269

[Ranger_Vet]

Understood........These ar the Front Shocks that I want to get...

Bilstein Shocks - Sport MERCEDES-BENZ CLK320 1998 - 2002 F4-BE3-2599-H0

Any suggestions??