New to the forum, looking for cheap(er) yet good quality shocks/ struts.
04-22-2012, 04:54 AM
#1
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2005 C230 6spd (MT)
New to the forum, looking for cheap(er) yet good quality shocks/ struts.
Hi first post here, Im Nathan and absolutely love my 2005 Sport sedan (manual 
) and looking for a cheap or cheaper set of good quality shocks and struts, I was looking at Konis for roughly 7-800 a little cheaper would be nice, Im open to the brand as long as quality is good and the price is right. Where is a reliable online source? Thanks in advance!
) and looking for a cheap or cheaper set of good quality shocks and struts, I was looking at Konis for roughly 7-800 a little cheaper would be nice, Im open to the brand as long as quality is good and the price is right. Where is a reliable online source? Thanks in advance!
04-22-2012, 08:44 AM
#2
Out Of Control!!
Congrats on your purchase, and welcome to the small, proud group of Mercedes owners with a manual transmission. 
Right now, Tirerack is having a sale (as is Koni on its own site, which you can buy shocks from) of 20% off Koni stuff, so you might want to re-price those again.
I have Eibachs myself, but they are about 7 years old and I think ready to go off to the great shock graveyard in the sky. So I'm in the same boat.
Since you'll be doing the shocks, might want to think about swapping out the springs too. If you're going to do it, do it all at once. I have Eibach Pros, which offer a decent drop while not killing you on potholes.
People here generally give Koni Sports (also called yellows) pretty good marks.
The other alternative, coilovers, start at around $1,100, and up to as high as about $2,400 for KW V3s / Bilstein PSS9s. So they may be out of your price range, and more importantly, may offer something that you don't really care about or need, like me - I don't want the lowest drop ever, or really the option of changing my drop. But thought I'd mention them anyway.
Happy shopping!
Right now, Tirerack is having a sale (as is Koni on its own site, which you can buy shocks from) of 20% off Koni stuff, so you might want to re-price those again.
I have Eibachs myself, but they are about 7 years old and I think ready to go off to the great shock graveyard in the sky. So I'm in the same boat.
Since you'll be doing the shocks, might want to think about swapping out the springs too. If you're going to do it, do it all at once. I have Eibach Pros, which offer a decent drop while not killing you on potholes.
People here generally give Koni Sports (also called yellows) pretty good marks.
The other alternative, coilovers, start at around $1,100, and up to as high as about $2,400 for KW V3s / Bilstein PSS9s. So they may be out of your price range, and more importantly, may offer something that you don't really care about or need, like me - I don't want the lowest drop ever, or really the option of changing my drop. But thought I'd mention them anyway.
Happy shopping!
04-22-2012, 11:11 AM
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2010 SLK350
Tommy knows his shiz, and he said about it all!
It's hard to beat that sale on Koni @ tirerack. Otherwise I'd have you consider Bilstein.
Will probably end up in a set of Koni's due to the cost, otherwise I could care less about the adjustability.
It's hard to beat that sale on Koni @ tirerack. Otherwise I'd have you consider Bilstein.
Will probably end up in a set of Koni's due to the cost, otherwise I could care less about the adjustability.
04-22-2012, 01:15 PM
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Dang, I was really hoping for a slightly cheaper recommendation. I could have sworn that was with the 20% off, Im not looking for any more of a drop as Im fairly tall and the car is low enough. I purchased the car in June last year ridiculously cheap, it had 99K (now @ 118K) Im hoping the stock springs are not in need of replacement.
04-22-2012, 01:41 PM
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The springs are fine.
Well, also on tirerack go ahead and look up Bilstein. They have 3 different "levels" of offerings, from OE Replacement all the way to a kind of "super sport".
You should perhaps consider the OE Replacements @ I think $80/piece ? Anyway. You can expect OE Performance, but will probably receive better being a Bilstein product.
Well, also on tirerack go ahead and look up Bilstein. They have 3 different "levels" of offerings, from OE Replacement all the way to a kind of "super sport".
You should perhaps consider the OE Replacements @ I think $80/piece ? Anyway. You can expect OE Performance, but will probably receive better being a Bilstein product.
04-23-2012, 12:36 AM
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2005 C230 6spd (MT)
Very cool, I went with the Koni's from tirerack, theyre actually cheaper than the koni website!
**the 80.00 ones are for touring and not the sport unfortunately.. I wish I could pick up OEM replacement for 80.00 each.
**the 80.00 ones are for touring and not the sport unfortunately.. I wish I could pick up OEM replacement for 80.00 each.
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04-23-2012, 03:48 PM
#8
Out Of Control!!
I talked to Luke for a bit, and decided to go with the Koni FSDs instead of the Sports. Should be on my car within two weeks.
$636 plus tax.
$636 plus tax.
04-23-2012, 03:55 PM
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06 C230 SS 6spd
I've heard bad reviews on the fsd for or cars. It'll actually lift the car up more. For 636 I would've paid a little more and got the comfort of adjusting the dampening with the yellows.
04-23-2012, 03:59 PM
#10
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Actually, yellows were the same price exactly. Luke hasn't steered me wrong yet.
I'll find out soon enough. I'm just something that will not make my teeth rattle when I go over an expansion joint.
I'll find out soon enough. I'm just something that will not make my teeth rattle when I go over an expansion joint.
04-23-2012, 04:17 PM
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06 C230 SS 6spd
Hell if the same price go yellows that way you can adjust from soft to hard or vice versa if the ride feels harsh or not firm enough. Also you can rebuild the yellows which will save money later on instead of having to buy a new set again. I'm glad I have the ability to adjust my ride comfort, let's me dial in to my driving style with a comfortable ride.
04-24-2012, 10:55 AM
#17
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I've never had that problem.
The Mercedes dealer I was at recently said my rear springs are showing some age because they are sagging.. he either said by 4mm or by .4mm. But the car rides fine now that the control arm bushings have been replaced. You've really gone through 2 sets of suspension components in 150 some odd thousand miles?
The Mercedes dealer I was at recently said my rear springs are showing some age because they are sagging.. he either said by 4mm or by .4mm. But the car rides fine now that the control arm bushings have been replaced. You've really gone through 2 sets of suspension components in 150 some odd thousand miles?
04-24-2012, 11:16 AM
#18
Out Of Control!!
No, the first set of shocks were replaced around year 3 as an upgrade. These shocks have been on the car since, so about 7 years total, with a mix of PA/NJ potholes.
04-25-2012, 11:15 AM
#19
Out Of Control!!
Hell if the same price go yellows that way you can adjust from soft to hard or vice versa if the ride feels harsh or not firm enough. Also you can rebuild the yellows which will save money later on instead of having to buy a new set again. I'm glad I have the ability to adjust my ride comfort, let's me dial in to my driving style with a comfortable ride.
6 weeks out for the FDS ones, so I switched out. Remember, if I hate the Sports, it's on your head.
04-29-2012, 01:47 AM
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I went with Koni yellows for the front and Bilsteins for the rear (saved me $70) what tools will I need for the fronts? Thats my main concern, I did a search and could not find a DIY post but certainly did find some other useful info on the strut bearings and misc. bushings I should be replacing while Im at it.
04-29-2012, 01:50 AM
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2005 C230 6spd (MT)
Another C-Class NOOB question for you guys.. I absolutely hate taking off the undercarriage everytime I change my oil.. does any one just leave it off? Reason I ask is previously I had a Passat and left the undercarriage off and ended up with a plastic grocery bag wound up in my CV axle and devoured my axle seal.. no bueno.
04-29-2012, 09:56 AM
#24
Out Of Control!!
Been shown that it takes out at least the same amount of oil as the old-fashioned way. I got one from the Tool Warehouse, and works great for me.
04-29-2012, 02:35 PM
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2005 C230 6spd (MT)
Took some digging but found what I was looking for...
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ont-strut.html
I will definitely look into the oil extractor, hopefully theyre fairly inexpensive.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...ont-strut.html
I will definitely look into the oil extractor, hopefully theyre fairly inexpensive.
