OEM Shocks
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,435
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
99CLK320,
OEM Shocks
Has anyone that has lowered their car w/springs stayed with the oem shocks and if so what was the outcome? I have heard some say that the oems go out quickly because they have less travel/room to move than a Bilstein or a Koni. My car is not slammed but lowered slightly with Vogtlands. I have my originals and I would like to use them up so to speak but I'm concerned that they will bottom out if I put them back on. Running Bilstein Sports now.
Anybody?
Anybody?
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
From: West Los Angeles, CA
CLK55 / E350 Coupe
It's really not so much the travel room, its the excess heat generated from just the shocks moving more and doing more work. If shocks are bottoming out its blown cause the seals have failed. If my memory recalls your driving distances are a short, so you will be hard pressed to see your OEM shock seals fail prematurely.
My OEM shocks Bilstein comforts were still in good shape at 50k miles. I only had replaced them cause i wanted a more planted feel.
My OEM shocks Bilstein comforts were still in good shape at 50k miles. I only had replaced them cause i wanted a more planted feel.
Last edited by GiZzO; Oct 9, 2012 at 03:56 AM.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,435
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
99CLK320,
Hey GiZzo. How ya been? We've talked before about my Vogtlands being stiff or rather Nebraska roads sucking. Its just getting old and I'm thinking of switching back to my oem shocks to smooth the ride out a bit. I still have vipclk strutt bars so I don't think I will lose much.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
From: West Los Angeles, CA
CLK55 / E350 Coupe
Sup man,
I was hoping those shocks have toned down by now! I don't see any problems going back to OEM. Just by age i would still go on the path of having newer shocks. Would you consider looking at Koni as an option? I've studied the differences between the two quite extensively. There something to do with the initial compression rate of Bilstein, i find undesirable. Its a bit too hard, which is really great keeping the car flat. Koni on the other hand if you were to graph this, its compression curve is a bit more gradual. It all down personal preference, but atleast with Koni are adjustable and i can dial this in more to my liking. I'm at medium and medium front and back.
I was hoping those shocks have toned down by now! I don't see any problems going back to OEM. Just by age i would still go on the path of having newer shocks. Would you consider looking at Koni as an option? I've studied the differences between the two quite extensively. There something to do with the initial compression rate of Bilstein, i find undesirable. Its a bit too hard, which is really great keeping the car flat. Koni on the other hand if you were to graph this, its compression curve is a bit more gradual. It all down personal preference, but atleast with Koni are adjustable and i can dial this in more to my liking. I'm at medium and medium front and back.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
From: West Los Angeles, CA
CLK55 / E350 Coupe
Also like to add, i've heard of some re-valving their Bilsteins Sports.
And take a look at the Comfort model i think they call em touring now? 10% harder then stock.
And take a look at the Comfort model i think they call em touring now? 10% harder then stock.
Last edited by GiZzO; Oct 13, 2012 at 01:59 PM.
