Best place to order Bilsteins?
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From: City with Tall buildings!
C43/55,2k11 Volvo S60 T6AWD,2k Audi B5 S4,95 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD 500+awhp
Best place to order Bilsteins?
I need two rear Bilstein sports. Can anyone recommend a spot where I can order them online?
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From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
Thread Starter
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From: City with Tall buildings!
C43/55,2k11 Volvo S60 T6AWD,2k Audi B5 S4,95 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD 500+awhp
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From: Dallas
'99 C43
I've bought Bilsteins from TireRack also (C43 and other cars).
I didn't find a Bilstein application for the C43 anywhere on the aftermarket, including the Bilstein website, so you may have to go with the C280 Sport application or try the dealer.
The shocks on the C43 were advertised as having special valving with more firmness on short strokes with less firmness as the stroke progresses.
I put the Bilstein HD settings for the C280 Sport on my C43, and I can't tell the difference from the originals in terms of ride comfort or handling. I'm running the "Euro AMG" OEM springs, and they also ride just like the original US versions, although much lower.
I don't think my original shocks were really worn out, but I learned that Bilsteins can and do lose gas pressure with age, and they can lose performance over time regardless of mileage. That happened to me in 2008 with my '91 Corvette with less than 30K miles. The rebound control became completely shot. The experience with Bilsteins was confirmed by an engineer that had worked for the company who was on the Corvette forums at the time.
I didn't find a Bilstein application for the C43 anywhere on the aftermarket, including the Bilstein website, so you may have to go with the C280 Sport application or try the dealer.
The shocks on the C43 were advertised as having special valving with more firmness on short strokes with less firmness as the stroke progresses.
I put the Bilstein HD settings for the C280 Sport on my C43, and I can't tell the difference from the originals in terms of ride comfort or handling. I'm running the "Euro AMG" OEM springs, and they also ride just like the original US versions, although much lower.
I don't think my original shocks were really worn out, but I learned that Bilsteins can and do lose gas pressure with age, and they can lose performance over time regardless of mileage. That happened to me in 2008 with my '91 Corvette with less than 30K miles. The rebound control became completely shot. The experience with Bilsteins was confirmed by an engineer that had worked for the company who was on the Corvette forums at the time.
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Mizzou
1998 C43 AMG
Looking also and this was my outcome as well. I found a complete set on eBay for $339?! I'm in contact with a vendor from my old BMW forums and they wanted about $500 for a set of Koni's, so I asked him about a set of Bilsteins since I'm a cheap ****....
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From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
I do not know why they are not on tirerack.com anymore but that's where I bought them like 6 months ago. I think I paid $360 with shipping.
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
I checked out the Bilstein factory site in Germany and nothing is listed in the 2011 catalogue for the 43 
Hmmm what gives 
Is it a special order now or replaced by something else? I wonder...
Hmmm what gives Is it a special order now or replaced by something else? I wonder...
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: City with Tall buildings!
C43/55,2k11 Volvo S60 T6AWD,2k Audi B5 S4,95 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD 500+awhp
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From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
Here are the part #'s for C43 bilsteins:
HD part numbers:
Front - B36-1856
Rear - B36-1857
Sport part numbers:
Front - F4-B36-1854-H0
Rear - F4-B36-1855-H0
I got the sports from tirerack.com, again I am unsure why they are no longer selling them. the part number should be the same regardless of where you look for them.
HD part numbers:
Front - B36-1856
Rear - B36-1857
Sport part numbers:
Front - F4-B36-1854-H0
Rear - F4-B36-1855-H0
I got the sports from tirerack.com, again I am unsure why they are no longer selling them. the part number should be the same regardless of where you look for them.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: City with Tall buildings!
C43/55,2k11 Volvo S60 T6AWD,2k Audi B5 S4,95 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD 500+awhp
Here are the part #'s for C43 bilsteins:
HD part numbers:
Front - B36-1856
Rear - B36-1857
Sport part numbers:
Front - F4-B36-1854-H0
Rear - F4-B36-1855-H0
I got the sports from tirerack.com, again I am unsure why they are no longer selling them. the part number should be the same regardless of where you look for them.
HD part numbers:
Front - B36-1856
Rear - B36-1857
Sport part numbers:
Front - F4-B36-1854-H0
Rear - F4-B36-1855-H0
I got the sports from tirerack.com, again I am unsure why they are no longer selling them. the part number should be the same regardless of where you look for them.
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
So I went back to the factory product catalogue and found the sports series (B8) in the CLK range (208). See attached page
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From: PDX
1999 C43, 2008 P30 E63, 2014 SQ5, 2024 Model Y Performance
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From: Canada
eclectic assortment of cars
When I ordered mine from Essex Distributors (for a Canadian source), I used the CLK numbers. They weren't sure it corresponded to the C43, but clearly it does. I've had them on the car since November... 
The C43 and the CLK430 are almost identical underneath, there's enough parts bin sharing to make that work out okay.
The C43 and the CLK430 are almost identical underneath, there's enough parts bin sharing to make that work out okay.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 74
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From: San Francisco
2 55s
I got my shocks from www.shockwarehouse.com
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index....cted_year=2002
The front seems to be different part number. the back is the same.
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index....cted_year=2002
The front seems to be different part number. the back is the same.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 435
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From: Mizzou
1998 C43 AMG
I've bought Bilsteins from TireRack also (C43 and other cars).
I didn't find a Bilstein application for the C43 anywhere on the aftermarket, including the Bilstein website, so you may have to go with the C280 Sport application or try the dealer.
The shocks on the C43 were advertised as having special valving with more firmness on short strokes with less firmness as the stroke progresses.
I put the Bilstein HD settings for the C280 Sport on my C43, and I can't tell the difference from the originals in terms of ride comfort or handling. I'm running the "Euro AMG" OEM springs, and they also ride just like the original US versions, although much lower.
I don't think my original shocks were really worn out, but I learned that Bilsteins can and do lose gas pressure with age, and they can lose performance over time regardless of mileage. That happened to me in 2008 with my '91 Corvette with less than 30K miles. The rebound control became completely shot. The experience with Bilsteins was confirmed by an engineer that had worked for the company who was on the Corvette forums at the time.
I didn't find a Bilstein application for the C43 anywhere on the aftermarket, including the Bilstein website, so you may have to go with the C280 Sport application or try the dealer.
The shocks on the C43 were advertised as having special valving with more firmness on short strokes with less firmness as the stroke progresses.
I put the Bilstein HD settings for the C280 Sport on my C43, and I can't tell the difference from the originals in terms of ride comfort or handling. I'm running the "Euro AMG" OEM springs, and they also ride just like the original US versions, although much lower.
I don't think my original shocks were really worn out, but I learned that Bilsteins can and do lose gas pressure with age, and they can lose performance over time regardless of mileage. That happened to me in 2008 with my '91 Corvette with less than 30K miles. The rebound control became completely shot. The experience with Bilsteins was confirmed by an engineer that had worked for the company who was on the Corvette forums at the time.
As for the blown Bilstein, I'm sure any good company would have offered a replacement or re-valving if you returned the shock to them.
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From: Frederick MD
83 500SEC, 87 300D, 02 C32(x2), 02 C320T (x2), 03 C320T4, 03 C320T, 03 E55, 05 E320CDI, 06 E320CDI
I second mbpartswarehouse.com i get all my shocks from them, no one has found to be cheaper for Bil sports.
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Germany
C43 AMG 5.5 - 396.4HP
The reason the Bilstein B8 are no more listed in the cataloge for C43 is that they are not suitable for our car. A new B8 is much softer than a 10 years old standard Mercedes shock (customized by Bilstein).
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Hi Popey24, that is interesting 
So what do you suggest as a replacement Are the dealer items as good as the old Bilstein?
So what do you suggest as a replacement Are the dealer items as good as the old Bilstein?
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 317
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From: Germany
C43 AMG 5.5 - 396.4HP
Two years ago I ordered the Bilstein B8 shocks, but it was terrible to drive. So after two days I exchanged them with the old ones.
When I phone with a Bilstein engeneer, he told me, the B8 is not suitable for C43.
As far as I know there are no other shocks as stock ones available on marked.
I decided to install the KW screw kit with stainless 2-pipe shocks that seems to be the only one designed especially for C43.
When I phone with a Bilstein engeneer, he told me, the B8 is not suitable for C43.
As far as I know there are no other shocks as stock ones available on marked.
I decided to install the KW screw kit with stainless 2-pipe shocks that seems to be the only one designed especially for C43.
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Land of mountains, cheese, chocolate and watches
12' W204 C63 AMG coupe "T-Rex", 12' W451 Smart Fortwo Pulse (99' W202 C43 AMG + Ultima Can-Am sold)
Thanks Popey24 
Interesting comment. Would the shocks from a w208 be suitable? I have chosen the KW V2 suspension upgrade, but that will be later when I have some available cash 
Interesting comment. Would the shocks from a w208 be suitable? I have chosen the KW V2 suspension upgrade, but that will be later when I have some available cash
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Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Portland, OR
99 c43 / 99 ml430
these guys have a set of sports for $325 (shipped). Is that a good price?
http://www.proamauto.com/page15bco47.htm
What else should be looked at? What bushings are high wear parts? Do you recommend lowering if going with the sports? If so are there any lowering springs that are a mild drop?
thanks!
http://www.proamauto.com/page15bco47.htm
What else should be looked at? What bushings are high wear parts? Do you recommend lowering if going with the sports? If so are there any lowering springs that are a mild drop?
thanks!
