I recently purchased a 93 300E which appears to be bone stock. Who made the shocks/struts for these cars (factory). Does Bilstein make their HD shock for this car?; I think that the Sports would be just too stiff and ruin the ride. Any Ideas?
Shocks/Struts
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Try Sachs. I have them on my 87 and they're reasonably comfy (haven't tried the Bilsteins though, so really can't compare).
Shady
Shady
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568 Posts
This is what I have read many many many times on the forums.
Bilstein has three versions of shocks for your car. This is USA terminology.
Comfort (black) – like OEM
HD (black) – firm, about the same as Sport, but normal travel suitable for a car that is not lowered
Sport (yellow) – firm and reduced travel for lowered ride height
I used the HD shocks and I lowered my car, just a little, with the Eibach springs. The lowering was only about an inch, so I was told it was OK to use the HD shocks, although I could have also used the Sport shocks. If you lower you car more than an inch, you should definitely go for the Sport shocks.
Like everything else, there are quite a number of opinions about shocks on the forums. For example, I was also told that Koni shocks are “from the same shelf� as the Bilstein shocks, meaning that the Koni shocks were comparable in quality to the Bilsteins. If you search, I think you will find that the majority prefers Bilstein and personally I can’t imagine using anything but Bilstein shocks on these cars.
Bilstein has three versions of shocks for your car. This is USA terminology.
Comfort (black) – like OEM
HD (black) – firm, about the same as Sport, but normal travel suitable for a car that is not lowered
Sport (yellow) – firm and reduced travel for lowered ride height
I used the HD shocks and I lowered my car, just a little, with the Eibach springs. The lowering was only about an inch, so I was told it was OK to use the HD shocks, although I could have also used the Sport shocks. If you lower you car more than an inch, you should definitely go for the Sport shocks.
Like everything else, there are quite a number of opinions about shocks on the forums. For example, I was also told that Koni shocks are “from the same shelf� as the Bilstein shocks, meaning that the Koni shocks were comparable in quality to the Bilsteins. If you search, I think you will find that the majority prefers Bilstein and personally I can’t imagine using anything but Bilstein shocks on these cars.
I'm running Bilstein HD's in place of all my conventional shocks. Feels great in every car. I've tried Boge and comforts..too soft for my taste. KYB's are pure crap.
Haven't had a set of Koni's yet, but if I could get a set of yellow's w/ the adjutable bit on top I would...!!
Jonathan
Haven't had a set of Koni's yet, but if I could get a set of yellow's w/ the adjutable bit on top I would...!!
Jonathan
Thanks for your helpful info! At the present time I'm thinking that the combination of Bilstein HD's and Eibach springs will about do the trick. Best wishes, Will
I've just put some Monroe Gas shocks on my 300D and what a difference.
I now have a much firmer ride (probably back to how it should be, as my shocks were completely worn out)and the ride height is no longer drooping at the front.
They have also got rid of all the knocking noise I was getting from the front
I now have a much firmer ride (probably back to how it should be, as my shocks were completely worn out)and the ride height is no longer drooping at the front.
They have also got rid of all the knocking noise I was getting from the front
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568 Posts
Something to consider
As for tuning the ride height, most people settle on using a 1-bump difference from front to rear, i.e., 1-bump front pads and 2-bump rear pads. This is necessary because the Eibach springs drop the rear of the car more than the front and you need to adjust the height with the pads to get a symmetrical drop.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the slightly lowered look of my car and I love the firm ride and improved handling, but for me it has been a struggle getting things sorted out. Right now I need to go back for ANOTHER alignment to set the front caster at the maximum to undo the most recent adjustment that caused some rubbing.
If I did it again, I think I would seriously consider JUST getting larger wheels, HD shocks, and big swaybars. It might be worth it to avoid the lowering and the resulting aggravation.
Slightly lowered
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That sounds great, BUT be ready to deal with the issues that result. Fine tuning the ride height with the appropriate shims and getting the alignment just right can be nuisance. You will have to deal with the excessive negative rear camber in the rear, by purchasing K-MAC bushings or adjustable camber arms from speedybenz.com.
As for tuning the ride height, most people settle on using a 1-bump difference from front to rear, i.e., 1-bump front pads and 2-bump rear pads. This is necessary because the Eibach springs drop the rear of the car more than the front and you need to adjust the height with the pads to get a symmetrical drop.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the slightly lowered look of my car and I love the firm ride and improved handling, but for me it has been a struggle getting things sorted out. Right now I need to go back for ANOTHER alignment to set the front caster at the maximum to undo the most recent adjustment that caused some rubbing.
If I did it again, I think I would seriously consider JUST getting larger wheels, HD shocks, and big swaybars. It might be worth it to avoid the lowering and the resulting aggravation.
Slightly lowered
#1 Don't put Monroe shocks on your fine Merc.
#2 O.E. is Bilstein comfort, although factory did use BOGE/SACHS at times.
#3 Bilstein sports are not too firm at all, and will cancel out a lot of the body roll. Fantastic shocks-noticeable difference.
#2 O.E. is Bilstein comfort, although factory did use BOGE/SACHS at times.
#3 Bilstein sports are not too firm at all, and will cancel out a lot of the body roll. Fantastic shocks-noticeable difference.
Innocent question....whats wrong with Monroe shocks?
Compared to the ride quality I had before I replaced the existing shocks, these Monroes have given me a much better ride quality, all the clonking I had from the front has disappeared and they are neither too soft or hard.
Seem fine to me
Compared to the ride quality I had before I replaced the existing shocks, these Monroes have given me a much better ride quality, all the clonking I had from the front has disappeared and they are neither too soft or hard.
Seem fine to me
Monroe's are designed for an American spring/suspension system where the spring and the shock share a lot of the same responsibility. Germans design their suspension so the spring supports the car and the shocks only roll is to control the movement of the spring.
Monroe's are what gas stations generally install as they are cheap and compared to worn out shocks, feel fine. Put a set of quality suspenders in there and you Will feel the difference. Firm, yet more supple w/ higher quality internals and valving that is more suited to our cars
Also, Bilsteins will Far outlast any shock monroe produced.
Jonathan
Monroe's are what gas stations generally install as they are cheap and compared to worn out shocks, feel fine. Put a set of quality suspenders in there and you Will feel the difference. Firm, yet more supple w/ higher quality internals and valving that is more suited to our cars
Also, Bilsteins will Far outlast any shock monroe produced.
Jonathan
You'll have camber & alignment issues with this set-up. Go with a stiffer set-up H&R or Vogtland springs with Bilstein sports. Trust me Eibachs are to soft and you WILL have
problems. Like I said before just look at everybody on here with the Eibach set-up. Camber & alignment probs..
~Cali
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