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Hi Guys, I need help making a value-based decision. I'm driving a 2007 w203 C200 diesel.
The struts (front, obviously) need to be replaced and I'm considering R.U.F struts from germany:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2X-STOSSDAMPFER-VORNE-MERCEDES-CLK-KLASSE-C209-2002-2010-/181769822192?hash=item2a52535ff0
I read about RUF and it seems they're quite an interesting company: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruf_Automobile
Does anyone have any experience with these struts They cost ≈ half of Bilstein's, and from my experience cheap is mostly but not always bad - Sometimes you actually pay a lot more just for the brand (not that we have any of that in a Mercedes community )
What do you guys think? anyone can put in a good word for these struts? Obviously Bilestein are the safer, more expensive choice..
Thanks
Last edited by ladi_eladi; Sep 15, 2015 at 04:05 PM.
Reason: typos
2016 E350 Sport; Mom Wrecked the 2008 E350; sold the 2002 C320
I am not familiar with the brand however, I never trust products from brands that don't have a solid history of good reviews. Name brands are not necessarily more expensive simply because you're paying for the name - it's because they have invested heavily not only in quality materials, but also in research and development to make sure the part fits and works as intended. Cheaper brands can sell for less because they have not made that investment and thus do not have the overhead of known brands.
For example, when I bought coilovers for my last car I found some for a very low cost. After I researched them, I read some horror stories (some with very catastrophic results) from other BMW owners because the mounts broke off due to cheap welding. Other shocks that sell cheap (i.e., ebay), you'll read how they wear out within a few short months.
Moral of the story: your life and your passengers' lives may depend on the quality of those parts - it's your call.
Another thing to consider is that Bilstein shocks and struts come with a lifetime warranty = buy once & you'll never have to buy them again.
[QUOTE=FCPEuro;6558120]
urge you to consider the strut kit which includes the upper mounts and the removal tool.
--Kyle[/URL]
First of all, thank you, Kyle.
Guys, you have to agree at least partially, that seeing how this is not even a 4k$ value car, (It's a 2007 W203 C200 380k miles ex-taxi diesel!), spending 386+200+... on shock absorbers set (front+back) for it is quite unreasonable.
Seeing as how I really don't want to let the car rust in a rut just yet (I love it), I'm thinking again about the replacement option..
eBay has several generic german-made complete sets (Front + Back + Mounts) for little under 300$.
I think I might just give them a try
Last edited by ladi_eladi; Sep 17, 2015 at 12:51 AM.
How much time do you have left with it, do you think? If 2-3 years or so, any POS strut system should hold up well enough. If more, I would think about spending a little more for better quality. But I agree with you.
I would almost guarantee those will arrive made in china, sold by german company. Even the performance may not be the same as oem. It's up to you though. I just know I had to replace an ebay control arm twice in 2 years and it was a real pain in the ***. Replaced with better part and learned the hard way. Especially with ebay parts. Especially.
Guarantee it's made in china? How? The guy states it is made in Germany, RUF restores Porches as their flagship effort.. It has a warranty.. I think you're projecting your bad experience maybe? I know you're trying to let me have a better experience with replacements than you did, I'm grateful for that, but I still think outside the box.. Just to clarify, I'm not set on anything yet and all advice (definitely including pro Bilstein) are accepted and considered.
Originally Posted by tommy
How much time do you have left with it, do you think? If 2-3 years or so, any POS strut system should hold up well enough. If more, I would think about spending a little more for better quality. But I agree with you.
No more than 2-3 years, for sure...
Here's another set to consider..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-Premium-Gas-Stosdampfer-inkl-Domlager-Staubschutz-Mercedes-Benz-C-Klasse-/191311798295?hash=item2c8b126017
From a quick google, this company looks like they restore sport/luxury German cars for a living. I like that..
Last edited by ladi_eladi; Sep 17, 2015 at 01:08 AM.
...its a different RUF.
The RUF we all know and love is a car manufacturer and they do restoration of Porsche specific products. If its not related to Porsche, or the one off models they designed and manufactured, they are not involved.
Guarantee it's made in china? How? The guy states it is made in Germany, RUF restores Porches as their flagship effort.. It has a warranty.. I think you're projecting your bad experience maybe? I know you're trying to let me have a better experience with replacements than you did, I'm grateful for that, but I still think outside the box.. Just to clarify, I'm not set on anything yet and all advice (definitely including pro Bilstein) are accepted and considered.
From a quick google, this company looks like they restore sport/luxury German cars for a living. I like that..
I think they are confusing you. That is not the same ruf that mods the maxed out porsches and super cars. Do you really think they would sell the cheapest parts on the market half the price of the already cheap bilsteins even if it were? and it doesn't say anywhere on there that they are made in Germany, it says the seller is located in Germany. Im not trying to project bad experiences but logical thinking. Ebay people are not always honest either. Its all about risk and reward, it could turn out positive with any of the parts you are looking at too especially if you are only keeping the car a few years and the seller will honor the waranty.
I think they are confusing you. That is not the same ruf that mods the maxed out porsches and super cars. Do you really think they would sell the cheapest parts on the market half the price of the already cheap bilsteins even if it were? and it doesn't say anywhere on there that they are made in Germany, it says the seller is located in Germany. Im not trying to project bad experiences but logical thinking. Ebay people are not always honest either. Its all about risk and reward, it could turn out positive with any of the parts you are looking at too especially if you are only keeping the car a few years and the seller will honor the waranty.
I stand corrected Seems like "Bilstein" prevails. Thank you all!
BTW, the strut mounts are very hard to come by with their covers (see below link). Actually I only saw these covers in these "deutche parts" brand and in original Mercedes' (but originals are super expensive, out of the question). I understood from my mechanic these covers are actually quite important for durability. Can anyone verify this? Or disprove? Or have a say about "deutche parts" in general?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERCEDES-W203-FRONT-STRUT-MOUNTS-BUMP-STOPS-BOOT-2033200944-2033200273-SET-6-/150742779985?hash=item2318f84851&vxp=mtr
Thanks again guys, promise that we're close to a decision
Last edited by ladi_eladi; Sep 19, 2015 at 10:09 AM.
Again I stand corrected.
Kyle - Is it true that the Mercedes strut mounts actually come with bumpstops? If so the price of purchasing OEM struts and bumpstops is pretty close to genuine MB (which I would prefer in that case).
One of the tricks with the strut mount is to find ones that come with the ball bearing inside. I noticed a lot do not include the bearing. Some sellers will show a picture of the top 'hat' part of the mount and the underside of it with a white ring inside, which is the bearing.
Reusing the old bearing is also an option many people will do.
Just ordered mounts, bump stops, bump mounts, and sway bars, all Lemforder, from FCPeuro. Sachs shocks are on their way too.. Thank for your help everyone, and to Kyle at FCP too!
Just ordered mounts, bump stops, bump mounts, and sway bars, all Lemforder, from FCPeuro. Sachs shocks are on their way too.. Thank for your help everyone, and to Kyle at FCP too!
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Seems like "Bilstein" prevails. Thank you all!
