w204 Strut replacement
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 680
Likes: 152
2008 C350 Sport 4Matic Swap
w204 Strut replacement
So my front struts are finally giving out on my 2008 c300 sport 4matic.
With 245 000km on them and a lot of city driving, they held up quite well but unfortunately, my passenger strut started making noise and Im debating which one to get.
I have 3 choices ;
First would be spoiling the car with these HD's, im curious if anyone has used them and if they are truly worth the extra cost;
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Suspension-Strut-Assembly-fits-2008-2014-Mercedes-Benz-C300-BILSTEIN-HD/112481990460?fits=Year%3A2008%7CModel%3AC300&hash= item1a3072f73c:g:4m8AAOSwQWxbGv7L:rk:52:pf:0&vxp=m tr
Second would be some Bilstein B4 which are more resonable and seem like a direct OEM replacement ;
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Mercedes-W204-C300-C350-w-Code-486-Pair-Front-Struts-Bilstein-B4-TC-22-193483/152786981535?fits=Year%3A2008%7CModel%3AC300&hash= item2392d0529f:g:4H0AAOSwdSRaCrNG:rk:94:pf:0&vxp=m tr
Third choice is to get them used. I have local MB scrap which has them in stock for 100$ each with 90 000km on them, so they say. My fear with this issue is, they seem like a pretty common failure on early w204's now that I have done research, even a TSB for "clunking struts" which is what mine is doing, is it worth risking getting another used one and did I just got lucky with mine lasting this long ?
With 245 000km on them and a lot of city driving, they held up quite well but unfortunately, my passenger strut started making noise and Im debating which one to get.
I have 3 choices ;
First would be spoiling the car with these HD's, im curious if anyone has used them and if they are truly worth the extra cost;
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Suspension-Strut-Assembly-fits-2008-2014-Mercedes-Benz-C300-BILSTEIN-HD/112481990460?fits=Year%3A2008%7CModel%3AC300&hash= item1a3072f73c:g:4m8AAOSwQWxbGv7L:rk:52:pf:0&vxp=m tr
Second would be some Bilstein B4 which are more resonable and seem like a direct OEM replacement ;
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/Mercedes-W204-C300-C350-w-Code-486-Pair-Front-Struts-Bilstein-B4-TC-22-193483/152786981535?fits=Year%3A2008%7CModel%3AC300&hash= item2392d0529f:g:4H0AAOSwdSRaCrNG:rk:94:pf:0&vxp=m tr
Third choice is to get them used. I have local MB scrap which has them in stock for 100$ each with 90 000km on them, so they say. My fear with this issue is, they seem like a pretty common failure on early w204's now that I have done research, even a TSB for "clunking struts" which is what mine is doing, is it worth risking getting another used one and did I just got lucky with mine lasting this long ?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 566
From: Milwaukee, WI
2010 C300 4MATIC........ 2011 C63 AMG.............. 2015 CLS400 4MATIC.....
2 weeks ago, so recent
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w204/724710-w204-sport-shock-opinion-oem-sachs-bilstien-b4s.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w204/724710-w204-sport-shock-opinion-oem-sachs-bilstien-b4s.html
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 608
Likes: 107
From: Western NC
2009 MB C300 Sport 4matic
I would double check with a place like FCPEuro to see if they fit...most of these aftermarket struts do not fit the 4Matic, RWD yes, despite the eBay listings suggesting otherwise.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 680
Likes: 152
2008 C350 Sport 4Matic Swap
So I ordered some B4 Bilsteins from Rockauto, which had the best price at 380$ shipped and import charges. Local german part store wanted 250$/ea+ tax for the same B4's .. I will report back once I install them.
Last edited by W204Motorsports; Nov 7, 2018 at 03:22 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 283
From: Canada
A car
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 44
From: Los Angeles, CA
2015 C400 Tenorite Gray
Please provide an update. I presume Sachs are what came with the car. I have a 2009 C350 and I'm hearing good things about the B4. I can't seem to find any feedback on B6s
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 680
Likes: 152
2008 C350 Sport 4Matic Swap
Sorry, forgot to update.
I've had the B4's on for over two months and they are fantastic. Although when I removed the springs from my original struts, they were completely done, I'm surprised how well it still rode on such bad struts. They did last over 230k km and to say I drive slow and with care would be a lie.
Highly recommend the B4 Bilsteins, Il probably be changing out the rear original Sachs with Bilsteins as well. I have yet to be disappointed with a Bilstein product.
Last edited by W204Motorsports; Jun 14, 2019 at 09:13 PM.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 608
Likes: 107
From: Western NC
2009 MB C300 Sport 4matic
Any of the folks posting here have Bilsteins on a pre facelift C300/350 4matic ? If so, can they give part numbers. Much appreciated. I have asked FCP Euro and gotten different answers depending on who answers.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 680
Likes: 152
2008 C350 Sport 4Matic Swap
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...440466&jsn=465
This is exactly what I got for my 2008 c300 4matic sport.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ion,strut,7584
^ Here is the list for other options, as you can see, 4matic strut is obviously different from RWD models but they also have luxury and sport variation. You need to know if your car has a sport or luxury suspension.
Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 197
Likes: 17
From: Connecticut
C300 4matic
I just did my struts on my 20111 C300 I went with FCPeuro. I purchased the Sach's strut kit from them for $427 and new strut mounts for $38. I purchased new springs from MileOne for $158 and new boots and shims, the total for parts was $781 and I had an independent put them in. The total came to less than a grand. Everything fit and the car runs great.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 44
From: Los Angeles, CA
2015 C400 Tenorite Gray
I just did my struts on my 20111 C300 I went with FCPeuro. I purchased the Sach's strut kit from them for $427 and new strut mounts for $38. I purchased new springs from MileOne for $158 and new boots and shims, the total for parts was $781 and I had an independent put them in. The total came to less than a grand. Everything fit and the car runs great.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 44
From: Los Angeles, CA
2015 C400 Tenorite Gray
Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 197
Likes: 17
From: Connecticut
C300 4matic
I purchased the Strut Assembly Kit from FCP it came with the bolts and nuts. Seeing that Mercedes bolts are usually a one time use why not just replace them while you have everything apart. I figure I like do this one time and not have to go back because I was lazy or cheap. That is also why I changed the strut mount and a few other rubber pieces.
thanks
Nelson
thanks
Nelson
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 608
Likes: 107
From: Western NC
2009 MB C300 Sport 4matic
Yet when I give FCP Euro the Bilstein part number of your first link, they say this is for a C300 Sport but not 4matic...same at AutohausAZ.
"This is exactly what I got for my 2008 c300 4matic sport".
https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/22240675
"This is exactly what I got for my 2008 c300 4matic sport".
https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/22240675
Last edited by gamma300C; Jun 26, 2019 at 08:37 AM.
Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 197
Likes: 17
From: Connecticut
C300 4matic
I did not put in Bilstein struts, I put OEM struts. The part number for FCP is # KIT-2043201330KT. They are Sachs struts which are OEM brand. I did not feel like spending the extra money on the Bilstein's. I use my car as a DD and felt the OEM worked well.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
W204 C230
Bringing this back with some CPR....i need some help.
I need to replace the front struts on my 2008 C230 4matic. I'm looking to go the oem used route. Will front struts from a 2012 C250 AMG package with electronic adapting dampers fit my car?
Aesthetically they look identical.
I need to replace the front struts on my 2008 C230 4matic. I'm looking to go the oem used route. Will front struts from a 2012 C250 AMG package with electronic adapting dampers fit my car?
Aesthetically they look identical.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 680
Likes: 152
2008 C350 Sport 4Matic Swap
Bringing this back with some CPR....i need some help.
I need to replace the front struts on my 2008 C230 4matic. I'm looking to go the oem used route. Will front struts from a 2012 C250 AMG package with electronic adapting dampers fit my car?
Aesthetically they look identical.
I need to replace the front struts on my 2008 C230 4matic. I'm looking to go the oem used route. Will front struts from a 2012 C250 AMG package with electronic adapting dampers fit my car?
Aesthetically they look identical.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 680
Likes: 152
2008 C350 Sport 4Matic Swap
If your springs aren't rusted out or sagging, theres no problem with reusing them. Im running Bilstein B9s all around and I reused my stock springs all around with over 350 000km on them, rides perfect.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 882
Likes: 159
S204 C250 CDI Sport
The stock are special dual rate dampers anyway , no need for anything else , it's a wonder why they did the agility option .
https://www.aftermarket.com.au/bilstein-b4-dampmatic/
https://www.aftermarket.com.au/bilstein-b4-dampmatic/
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 435
Likes: 81
From: New Zealand
W204 C200, BMW E30 M3, 1980Gt Mini, Toyota Corona, KTM 200 EXC.
I would highly recommend replacing the 4 alloy suspension arms (caster and camber) also the sway bar link arms this made the biggest difference on how the car maintained a straight line on a long road and what happened when the car hit a pot hole, like night and day.
