W204 Saloon Sport with Advanced Agility Package Advice
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Newbie
Joined: Jul 2020
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W203 C220 CDI
W204 Saloon Sport with Advanced Agility Package Advice
Hi All,
Hope you are well.
I'm looking to buy this weekend a pre-facelift W204 C320 CDI Sport 2008 (58) Sport with Advanced Agility Package/Dynamic Handling Package (option code 483, with the Sport button above the climate control).
How reliable is this system and more importantly, do the struts need to be replaced at a specific time-interval/mileage like with standard shock absorbers? In other words, if the struts leak, is it a case of replacing seals and topping up fluid or replacing the whole strut?
The reason I ask is because I just rang MB and they quoted £650 per strut (front) and £350 per strut (rear)! This is unbelievable! Bilstein are selling MB Equivalent strut for 950 euros!! WTH!! Standard suspension gas shocks can be bought off ECP for around £100 (decent brand like Bilstein). MB quotes £180 per shock front and £140 per shock rear. Another thing, is it possible to do a delete on this option? I.e, disconnect sensors, install standard sport shocks and possibly de-code the option to remove it from the ECU? Will standard Sport trim shock absorbers fit in place of the struts?
I'm based in the UK but can't find much info on the UK MB Forums or international MB forums. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks
Hope you are well.
I'm looking to buy this weekend a pre-facelift W204 C320 CDI Sport 2008 (58) Sport with Advanced Agility Package/Dynamic Handling Package (option code 483, with the Sport button above the climate control).
How reliable is this system and more importantly, do the struts need to be replaced at a specific time-interval/mileage like with standard shock absorbers? In other words, if the struts leak, is it a case of replacing seals and topping up fluid or replacing the whole strut?
The reason I ask is because I just rang MB and they quoted £650 per strut (front) and £350 per strut (rear)! This is unbelievable! Bilstein are selling MB Equivalent strut for 950 euros!! WTH!! Standard suspension gas shocks can be bought off ECP for around £100 (decent brand like Bilstein). MB quotes £180 per shock front and £140 per shock rear. Another thing, is it possible to do a delete on this option? I.e, disconnect sensors, install standard sport shocks and possibly de-code the option to remove it from the ECU? Will standard Sport trim shock absorbers fit in place of the struts?
I'm based in the UK but can't find much info on the UK MB Forums or international MB forums. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks
Last edited by benz5; Jul 9, 2020 at 11:14 AM. Reason: Added option code
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Cape town
not a merc
Are you saying that bilstein are selling the agility shocks? Most likely you can just code the agility out of the system. Coding is in the ESP ECU. It's a different ecu that is used for agility. Not sure but possibly the springs differ between the std and agility package. But the mounting will be the same
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2020
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W203 C220 CDI
Hi Russell,
Yes Bilstein sell replacement shock absorbers but they are not the only ones. You can get original Mercedes ones (which are made by Monroe) and Monroe ones which are the same as the originals but without the Mercedes branding and for more than 60% cheaper. I've not come across any threads which talk about the possibility of decoding the option so I think it's not likely possible. From what I've seen the springs are the same on the standard and DHP (Dynamic Handling Package) but the difference is in the shocks and the electric sensors on each wheel.
Yes Bilstein sell replacement shock absorbers but they are not the only ones. You can get original Mercedes ones (which are made by Monroe) and Monroe ones which are the same as the originals but without the Mercedes branding and for more than 60% cheaper. I've not come across any threads which talk about the possibility of decoding the option so I think it's not likely possible. From what I've seen the springs are the same on the standard and DHP (Dynamic Handling Package) but the difference is in the shocks and the electric sensors on each wheel.
