[NewMBie]

Before this 560 SEL, I drove a Lincoln Continental for 4 years. I like that soft floating suspension over what are on my MB.

I read about there are comfort Bilsteins. Any one here has experiences with both the HD and comfort Bilsteins? Is the comfort shock that much soft? How could I tell what is on my MB now? I could handle minor things like R & R fuel accumulator, rear SLS accumulator and T-stat. Is replacing a set of front shocks within my ability? Do I have to deal with the spring?

Many thanks.

 

[jdc1244]

Your 126 is not supposed to ride like a Continental – I also owned a Continental once [:I] and I prefer the 126s more stable ride, particularly at high speed.

 

[jhodg5ck]

You're the first person I have Ever heard call an MB's stock ride to stiff!! These things lean like boats when sprung w/ stock springs and tired shocks.

I've got a set of Blasted bilsteins, they're so soft I can compress them Easily w/ one hand..[xx(]

Jonathan

 

[janos_z]

mewmbie-- just wondering about your daughter's ride -- what car did you guys settle on for her? last we heard, you were considering an old bimmer, right?

 

[NewMBie]

o.k. May be my front shocks have worn out. How to check that? When I push down on teh front , it just bounces back up once, indicating a working shock.

With about 32 psi of pressure, I could feel a bump just riding over a pensil. If I ever get on an old raod, everything in the car rattles from the bump.

Another part of my original question is whether it is aneasy diyable job to replace the front shocks. Those who has done these before, please give me some tip.

Changing gear a bit. My D is 15 and she has expressed no desire to learn to drive yet. Since both our cars are on the old side (99 Buick), we may get a new vechile for the family. Last time I checked, we only have $53,000 in our checking accounts so the best we could do is putting $3000 down to get her what she wants at her 16th BD and let her find a job to take over the payment.

 

[jdc1244]

NewMBie - 2/6/2005 11:20 AM

...we only have $53,000 in our checking accounts...

[:0][:0][:0]

How much in your Savings!? []

Speaking for those of us who are POOR, you can understand why we may not empathize. []

 

[janos_z]

NewMBie - 2/6/2005 11:20 AM

Changing gear a bit. My D is 15 and she has expressed no desire to learn to drive yet. Since both our cars are on the old side (99 Buick), we may get a new vechile for the family. Last time I checked, we only have $53,000 in our checking accounts so the best we could do is putting $3000 down to get her what she wants at her 16th BD and let her find a job to take over the payment.

sounds like a good plan. maybe you can but a continental for the family and hand your benz down to your daughter... just a thought...

 

[mattman]

I doubt it's the shocks that is causing the hard ride. Worn shocks normally give a soft wallowy ride.

Replacing front shocks is pretty straight forward though, no need to remove the springs. The W126 comes with the comfort shock as standard, going to the HD will stiffen the ride somewhat.

Your hard ride is most likely caused by all the bushes and ball joints in the front end being old and tired.

At some point you just need to bite the bullet and do a complete front end rebuild.

Matt.

 

[NewMBie]

Thank you for a straight answer, mattman.

Could the bushes be bad if I don't get any noise from the front at all. Also, mine has only 106000 miles. At relatively high speed, the car rides very well. It is at ~ 15 - 30 miles/hour range that I feel most of bumps.

 

[mattman]

Even though everything seems okay after 14 years and 100k miles the bushes will be hard and ready for replacement.

Matt.

 

[Ramesh]

Hi NewMBie

I recently put new Bilstein Comfort for my front end. They told me that if you put Bilstein Heavy Duty, you will feel the road. But even with the Comfort shock, I feel every pothole in the road. Some of my friends riding the car, were disappointed that this huge Mercedes was not giving them a smooth ride. They said even a five old Saturn gives a much smoother ride. I don't know what is wrong with the car. So changing it to Bilstein Comfort will not help. Don't waste your money on it. Look for other things. There may be something else wrong.

Yours,

Ramesh.

 

[284037]

Ramesh that's because we live in Baltimore. I have been in many Third World countries and I assure you they have better roads than what we are paying for.

 

[jhodg5ck]

Funny, my 91 SEC w/ 17's and Bilsein HD's has recieved quite a few comments as to how smooth and comfortable it is to ride in. And no, they weren't from 16 year old teenagers either[]

Jonathan

 

[NewMBie]

Just to give everyone an update. The main reason I had those problem was tire pressure. That guy who charged me $7 per tire (for everything including balance) put over 40 Psi on all 4 tires.

In any case, I have set the front to 30 and back to 33. The front is riding much better now with the new Kumho tires. The back is still not quite what I like.

Question to the board, the old tires on my car are very old Michelin (the car was not driven for two years when I got it). Could the tires become stiff as they become old?