jbouddyW209

I've been doing some researching on struts and shocks since I plan on getting them installed with my H&R springs. I haven't seen much information on Koni SRT-T (Orange) struts/shocks and was wondering if anyone has any experience with them. I was originally leaning towards Koni Yellow's but I don't ever plan to track or need to make adjustments. My car is only used for street/highway driving. I don't know what other differences there are between the two, should I just go Orange?

eteller

Look at Bilsteins. I have Koni yellow's on my Trans Am, adjusters broke within a week.

kb24forlife24

I've got Bilstein B8s on my car and love them.

abqhudson

I put Bilsteins on my 2005 CLK320 and thought they were too harsh. My 2 cents.

kb24forlife24

Remember if you get Bilstein shocks/struts, get the B8 if lowering. If you want a heavy duty OEM-style shock, B6 is better. The B8 is meant for lowering springs.

jbouddyW209

Was your car on lowering springs?

jbouddyW209

A lot of members seem to have B8's and are happy with them. They were my first choice but I wanted to know experiences with Koni Orange.

kb24forlife24

Yeah I installed Bilstein shocks and struts at the same time I installed lowering springs (Eibach).

Amir_AMG

i had bilsteins on my w208 and loved them. I was lowered on vogtland springs at the time

kb24forlife24

If you need Bilstein B8 part #, let me know.

floridawriter

Just curious how you would judge the ride with the Bilsteins and Eibachs compared to the OEM setup. I have Eibachs with the stock AMG struts and like the ride.

kb24forlife24

It doesn't bounce at all, it feels so smooth and every imperfection in the road is dealt with in one "up and down" motion, nothing else. My relative has a stock CLK500 and my car rides better than it.

jbouddyW209

I have all the part numbers and if anyone else needs them, here they are:

Koni Yellow front
8741-1412Sport

Koni Yellow rear
8041-1319Sport

Koni STR.T front
8750-1077

Koni SRT.T rear
8050-1122

Bilstein B8 front
35-053453

Bilstein B8 rear
24-068819

kb24forlife24

Yup, those numbers are correct! Thanks for posting them.

kb24forlife24

OP, are you gonna get Koni or Bilstein?

Fatz

I have and like the B8s as well. They are firm but not jarring; steering (with H&R sways) is responsive and it does not "float" when pushed into a curve.

I don't know how different the AMG OE setup vs the OE 550 setup would be, but the "floaty" ride and handling and the slow steering response were things I did not like about my car before the mods began.....

jbouddyW209

I came across a great deal for Koni SRT-T that I can't pass up, why not give it a try. If I end up unhappy with them I'm definitely going to go with B8's.

floridawriter

There is definitely no "float" to the OE AMG suspension and the front axle is instantaneous but the stock struts can get a little chattery and and harsh over the rough spots. I've also had the struts bottom out a few times which makes me worry about possible damaging a wheel. Probably time for new OE struts or Bilsteins.

Fatz

Yeah, it sounds as if they are just worn out. I ran my OEs after lowering the car and they lasted about 20K miles after. They to would bottom out and got to be quite harsh, even on just rough concrete, and jarring even across expansion joints and man-hole covers....

Did some damage to several bushings before I got around to replacing them.

It altered the meaning of "riding on rails"....

jbouddyW209

Also, has anyone experienced too much "bouncing" with their shocks/spring set up?

kb24forlife24

Nope, not at all. I find the ride to be actually better than the stock setup. Like I said, my relative has an '04 CLK500 and when I drove that car, every time it hit a bump it felt like the car was doing the good ol' Mustang wheel hop. My car stays planted and rides great. Get the Bilstein B8 shocks with either H&R springs or Eibach and you'll love them.