3199cc

Hello. I have stock springs and I have decided my next maitence item is shocks as my car rides like a boat.

Anyway, I want a soft, supple ride.

What do I do. Get Bilstein Sport Shocks or Koni adjustables. How much of a difference is there in the ride?

Also, I am leaning towards bilstein at the moment cause I can get a better deal on them but I am willing to pay more for the konis if any only if the ride is that much softer.

Should I just go with the bilsteins or shell out more for the Konis because they could possibly be softer?

CLK430ROB

I'm more biased toward Koni's as these are what I have. I've heard good things about bilsten too. Advantage in going with Koni's are that the sensitivity is adjustable, but you need to remove them off the car everytime you make an adjustment. I have mine set at medium and my car is lowered about 2" all around and the ride, IMHO, is great!

Rob

allenjdmb

the Koni's and wouldn't buy them again. I've always bought Bilstein, and should have done it this time as well. Some guys on this board have them and think they're great. I just don't care too much for the setup I have with my H&R springs. Way too busy, and the ride does not have the supple quality you get with Bilsteins. If I had to do it over again, I would buy the Brabus kit with springs and shocks, or do the AMG Euro springs with Bilsteins. Just my .02..

thuged_out

i have bilstein sports with h&r and the ride is not soft. if u want softer ride maybe bilstein HD is a better choice for u

3199cc

i have stock springs tho. Do you think it would make a noticeable difference?

allenjdmb

the HD's may be a better choice. I'm now convinced that my car is oversprung with the H&R setup. Would make a different choice if I did it again...

CLK430ROB

What are you refering to.. when you say "way too busy"? Maybe your adjustment setting on the shocks may be incorrect? I live in SF and the roads are pretty jacked up in certain area's and my Koni's handle great. Then again, I never rode in a CLK with bilstens

theine

The stock springs are a little softer than H&R springs, but the shocks are the ones giving you the stifness.

Bilstein sport = very stiff
Bilstein HD = mild
Koni sport adjustables = mild - stiff - very stiff
Kleeman sensitive = soft all around - stiff when needed

Josh K

I have Koni's and I think they're great. Ride is comfortable even with my 19"s and Eibachs and handling is great.

varainstructor

I installed a set of Bilstein Sports while I was waiting for my set of Eibach springs to come in. So I had a chance to see how they worked with the stock springs. The handling characteristics of the car were great: Much improved cornering and braking. A HUGE improvement over the stock shocks. And the best part for your situation, the comfortable ride wasn't sacrificed at all. I don't know about the Koni's but anything that requires adjustment might not be the way to go for your use. With the Bilstein's, just put them on and smile... Good luck.

turboriceco0ker

For those of you who have installed eibach/hr/koni/bilstein.
How easy is it to have it done?
Or do I need a pro/expert to install it?

varainstructor

Shocks are a piece of cake on the W208. Access for the front is via the engine compartment and and the lower a arm assembly. The rear requires the removal of the trunk liners, which is easy, for access to the top mounting bolts and easy access to the lower a arm much like the front. You can do it in your driveway in a couple of hours.

Chevota

Doesn't Koni have a short life span? I've owned cars that had them and they were always worn out. I like a shock to stay as new, not wear down like a battery in a toy car. I think Bilstein is the best shock for the money there is.