fleishman

Sachs super touring struts are the least expensive at $160.
Bilstein seems to have the best reputation and I've found all four corners for $700
Koni's are a little more performance being adjustable but $400 per strut seems prohibitive.

Input? Alternatives?

precisionmike

I have Bilsteins on my Merc, and love them. Great ride. I had Koni yellow adjustable on my 540i, and could never get them right. From my research also, the Bilsteins rank on top.

fleishman

http://eshocks.com/bil_veh.asp?Model...tein&SubChar=Q

This is the best price I could find on Bilsteins. Anyone find cheaper?

503C43 ////AMG

Tirerack has them a little cheaper:
http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/S...2&autoModClar=

precisionmike

Check Autoanything.com. Usually cheap, and they have coupons too

fleishman

Thanks, tirewrack doesn't have free shipping.

And autoanything comes in at about $1000 -%15.

Accidental L8 apex

No specific opinions on the 3 for our cars, but overall, Bilstein and Koni are more performance oriented while Sachs is usually a direct OEM replacement. I've always gone w/ Bilsteins and actually used to race on a set of Gruppe B monotubes I had revalved for ultra-stiff springs. Went w/ those over the Konis because of reputation and the fact that the Bilsteins were not adjustable. I was new to modding and racing and wanted one less variable to mess with as I'd redone a lot already. I've heard from those w/ both that Konis are softer on small impacts like expansion joints or frost heaves on highways and what not.

Both have lifetime warranties w/ a receipt, so that's a wash. If the car was to do double duty as a daily and track car, I might try some Konis for the adjustability. Full soft for daily duty and full hard for track time.

lkfoster

I put Koni FSDs on a mk 1 Audi TT and was very impressed with how subtle they were while being significantly tighter than the OEM S-line shocks. I poked at Koni a bit to see about valving for w203 FSDs on a C55 but came away thinking that they'd be too soft.

From what I've heard the OEM C55 shock set is the tightest.

fleishman

Anywhere to buy oem outside dealership? Every aftermarket shows same p# for c55 and c32.

fleishman

Huh?

FrankW

Thats because they use the same parts.

You can check out getmercedesparts or rmeuropean for oem parts.

As far as sachs, bilstein, and koni goes. Sachs made the oem AMG shocks for c32 and 55. Bilstein sport shock is usually stiffer. Koni are adjustable, but if you are spending $1200 on shocks, you might want to consider coilovers at that point. H&R comes in at around $1100. Other brands like BC racing, TEIN, etc are also around thay price range.

speed7

I have Bilstein's with H&R springs. Its nice and aggressive but not too aggressive.

I will eventually go to coilovers at some point though. Chances are I'd do the Bilstein PSS9 Coil-Over Kit.

kent426

That is true, the stock AMG are a lot stiffer than the Koni's, for the track, they work best, for the street the Koni's are the nicer ride. If you dial the Koni's at firm, the car is like a rock.

EVOII_Racer

Do it Sir, the best upgrade i ever did! Absolutely f amazing set up

fleishman

Coil-overs comfortable for daily driving?

fleishman

Would I be disappointed by bilstein touring class?

fleishman

woah konis on sale, all four for $700!
http://www.koni-na.com/cat_search.cf...TOKEN=78930936

fleishman

I decided to go with the c55 suspension. Upon inspection I found I had a broken spring in addition to the 130k in wear. Greekspec2 had a gently used set of c55 springs struts and shocks that he graciously sold to me.

I plan to install the shorter c55 bump stop and while I'm in there change sway bar links, wheel bearings and strut mounts.

Can I install the upgraded c55 strut mounts in my c32?

Do I need to / can I use c55 sway bar links?

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=233141
Suspension: Compared to the C32, the C55's AMG springs are uprated by 20% (stiffer) in the front, with no change in the rear. The uprated dampers are digressive and have been increased by 30% in bounce and 10% in rebound at the front, and 15% in bounce and 10% in rebound at the rear. The bearings of the front suspension are stiffer to improve steering feel and geometric precision. The elastokinematics were reworked on both axles: Both the tension strut on the McPherson three-link front axle and the spring suspension link of the multi-link independent rear suspension are harder.

johnng117

I have the PSS9 installed, setting are 5 on the fronts and 6 on the rear.
The ride is slightly firmer than original but very acceptable to the point of comfortable.
High speed cornering is much much much better, flatter and inspires confident.
Well worth the price, not sure how they compare with H&R & KW tho.

FrankW

yes, you can use the c55 strut mounts. other than sheet metal, everything suspension wise under the car are the same between the 32 and the 55.

you can also use the endlink. the 55 as well as the 32 comes with the 12mm endlinks.