help- koni, bilstein or g500 shocks for 05 g55??

[Tupps11]

Originally Posted by rhyno Sorry I can't edit my last two posts. I had the years wrong on my friends G. Alright I have solved the problem for G55 owners that want a softer ride!!!!!!!! My friend has a 07 G55 and he installed 2011 G550 shocks. read his review...... "After a month of phone calls and online research I discovered no one could tell me if G-Class shocks were interchangeable! I decided to roll the dice and just try as I was tired of hearing peoples endless theories. Guess What? Not only do G550 shocks fit a G55 AMG they make it ride and feel like a Mercedes should! Attached are two pictures of the shocks side by side (2011 G550 and 2007 G55 AMG). The rears as you can see look the same and match perfect. The G550 front shocks are taller when un-compressed. The guys at Fairview Automotive in Vancouver fully compressed the fronts to make sure they matched so there was no issue with bottoming out. The G550 shocks are also noticeably softer when manually compressed. After the install the difference was amazing! The bone jarring bumps of the AMG shocks were gone! The ride is firm but very comfortable, It almost feels like I'm driving an ML. Cornering at speed feels pretty much the same. I guess the AMG sway bars & springs provide most of the so called cornering performance. This swap is a must for anyone using their G55 in the city or off road. Parts, installation and taxes for the complete job was $1,700 Canadian." Any chance you guys can post part numbers for the G550/G500 shocks? My dealer here in Beirut is kinda dumb, and i dont trust them to order the right shocks for this swap... Thanks

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[Tupps11]

Originally Posted by Tupps11

Any chance you guys can post part numbers for the G550/G500 shocks?

My dealer here in Beirut is kinda dumb, and i dont trust them to order the right shocks for this swap...

Thanks

Well...I just placed my order today for the front and rear G500 shocks. My G55 is a 2009, and since i needed to have a vin number to place the order, i walked into the showroom floor and took a VIN off of one of the new 2011 G500's.

I then went back to the parts department, and used that VIN to order the front and rear shock absorbers. I pray that nothing has changed in the way they are manufactured or installed between 2009 and 2011. Otherwise, im screwed if they dont install correctly on my car.

Needs 2 weeks to get here...wish me luck!

Part numbers for G500 shocks:
0063230200 (x2)
0053261700 (x2)

[howielambert]

All,

I have read the many posts regarding the stiff g55 suspension, but i remain a little confused. I live in mongolia where there are very few good roads and in some cases no roads at all. I bought a 2009 g55, as much as i love it the ride is just too hard. I am confused bout the benefits of changing the shocks or the springs or both to g550/500 units. Please could someone give me a little overview and how best i can improve the terrible ride quality.

Many thnks in advance

Howard

[shochu]

Originally Posted by howielambert

All,

I have read the many posts regarding the stiff g55 suspension, but i remain a little confused. I live in mongolia where there are very few good roads and in some cases no roads at all. I bought a 2009 g55, as much as i love it the ride is just too hard. I am confused bout the benefits of changing the shocks or the springs or both to g550/500 units. Please could someone give me a little overview and how best i can improve the terrible ride quality.

Many thnks in advance

Howard

the G500/550 set tup will give you softer ride, slightly longer wheel travel
but will also sit the G higher than an AMG set up

[howielambert]

If you change the springs to 500 do you need change the shocks to match?

Alternatively, if i wanted to keep the car at the same height but want it softer what is rhe best combination?

[rhyno]

If you want a review just read my post above. If you want the Cole's note version then just buy G550 shocks and keep the factory springs and you will have a better ride on your G55!!

If you install G550 shocks you can keep the G55 springs.

Installing G550 springs will get you the best ride and keeping your G55 springs will keep your G at the same ride height.

[howielambert]

What has the largest impact on softening the ride, the springs or the shocks? Also, by changing the shocks, but not the springs will it upset the traction control? Basically, I want the easiest way to make the car more driveable - with the less amount of trouble if possible

[PCH]

Originally Posted by howielambert

What has the largest impact on softening the ride, the springs or the shocks? Also, by changing the shocks, but not the springs will it upset the traction control? Basically, I want the easiest way to make the car more driveable - with the less amount of trouble if possible

The shocks will have the biggest impact as they are designed to absorb and dampen feedback from the road. The stiffer G55 spring has little to no effect on the suspension with respect to down travel above ride height, (less compression) whereas the softer G500/550 spring will extend the suspension downward giving the G the ability to absorb road inconsistencies better. One would assume MB has completed a significant amount of R&D in mating suspension components to one another in order to offer the best balance between comfort and performance. I would replace springs and shocks.

[jarmakani]

Originally Posted by Tupps11

Any chance you guys can post part numbers for the G550/G500 shocks?

My dealer here in Beirut is kinda dumb, and i dont trust them to order the right shocks for this swap...

Thanks

Glad to hear someone out there has same issues. My wife keeps complaining to me that the G is too stiff...3 years of complaining. Anyway, I would like to know how your project went with the new shocks.
You are right about the Dealer in Beirut. They are very “G-Class unfriendly”, in-fact the whole country is… I feel ashamed when they call it an ML. Also, I just found out recently that the dealer put the wrong Brake Rotors on my G… very unprofessional.
thanks

[Tupps11]

Originally Posted by jarmakani

Glad to hear someone out there has same issues. My wife keeps complaining to me that the G is too stiff...3 years of complaining. Anyway, I would like to know how your project went with the new shocks.
You are right about the Dealer in Beirut. They are very “G-Class unfriendly”, in-fact the whole country is… I feel ashamed when they call it an ML. Also, I just found out recently that the dealer put the wrong Brake Rotors on my G… very unprofessional.
thanks

Sorry for not updating this sooner. I did in fact change my shocks to the G500 shocks with part numbers which i have posted above. My car is a 2009 model, so i simply got a 2009 model G500 VIN number and ordered the shock absorbers. It was an easy swap procedure which took my garage a couple hours.

Honestly...anybody who has even a single doubt about this modification needs to know that its a night and day difference!! My car is 100 times more comfortable on the roads in Lebanon. You can instantly feel the difference and believe me its worth every penny. I love my G55 so much more now because of this and feel i can easily drive it another few years without thinking of selling it. My girlfriend also loves my car. She hardly understands the mechanics of how these cars work, but even she was instantly surprised after taking a ride in my car with the new suspension.

IT IS A MUST FOR LEBANESE ROADS!

Good Luck

[kennyjr748]

Originally Posted by Tupps11

Sorry for not updating this sooner. I did in fact change my shocks to the G500 shocks with part numbers which i have posted above. My car is a 2009 model, so i simply got a 2009 model G500 VIN number and ordered the shock absorbers. It was an easy swap procedure which took my garage a couple hours.

Honestly...anybody who has even a single doubt about this modification needs to know that its a night and day difference!! My car is 100 times more comfortable on the roads in Lebanon. You can instantly feel the difference and believe me its worth every penny. I love my G55 so much more now because of this and feel i can easily drive it another few years without thinking of selling it. My girlfriend also loves my car. She hardly understands the mechanics of how these cars work, but even she was instantly surprised after taking a ride in my car with the new suspension.

IT IS A MUST FOR LEBANESE ROADS!

Good Luck

Thanks Tupps for the info. Any problems with the traction control with the new shocks?

[Tupps11]

Originally Posted by kennyjr748

Thanks Tupps for the info. Any problems with the traction control with the new shocks?

No problem with anything whatsoever

[chudak18]

I did the swap as well. Pleasantly surprised with the difference. Don't know why Mercedes didn't use the 500 shocks from the get go.

[Moozzz]

can i have the G550 shocks part No. ?

my 08 g55 have same stiff problem in china , always get Complaint from my wife

[Tupps11]

Originally Posted by Moozzz

can i have the G550 shocks part No. ?

my 08 g55 have same stiff problem in china , always get Complaint from my wife

Here you go...

Part numbers for G500 shocks:
0063230200 (x2)
0053261700 (x2)

[BonitaBeast]

Hi. Would anyone know the difference in ride height betwen a 2009 or newer G55 and a G550?

Please measure from center of hub to the edge of the bottom of the fender.

Thanks in advance