My 1990 300TE is overdue for new front shocks/struts. Would anyone like to compare and contrast the OEM shocks with Bilstein Heavy Duty?

After 9 years or so, oe shocks are due for replacement. Bilstein shocks/struts come in three types: comfort (o.e), Heavy Duty, and Sport (for use with lowering springs). When replacing with new, Bilstein, comfort shocks the difference is very appreciable. The HD shocks are a big jump from o.e. in that you become familiar with every pebble, crack, and bump. You look forward to highway travel. There is no MB enthusiast who knowledgeably buys MB shocks. They come with a 1 year warranty, and Bilsteins come with a lifetime replacement warranty. They are considered by legions to be the Mercedes of shock absorbers. P.

> HD shocks are a big jump from o.e. in that you become
> familiar with every pebble, crack, and bump...

So for the family wagon, driven mainly by the spousette who values the smooth ride, the Blistein 'comfort' sounds like might be the better choice. Its still a Bilstein, so it ought to offer some reasonable level of performance for the more occasionally enthusiastic driver. Correct?

Yes. The ride will be much improved and more comfortable riding than stock, original shocks. If the car has 195/65/15 tires you can expect an excellent quality ride.

Yup, those are my tires (in Dunlop Sport A2's) Thanks for the help.

i have bilstein heavy duty.

i have have them for over a year.

i disagree with pkhaven, you will NOT feel every pebble,crack etc.

it is a VERY comfortable ride.

i have a car that handles a bit better than before and body roll is reduced.

i am very satisfied.

peter

peter
did the HDs raise your car?

no.

i have 205x65x15 tires though. if you have very low profile tires it may 'appear' more raised.

i have heard some people say they do though.

my mechanic/m.b.tech put them on for me.


peter

Have you considered European MB shocks? They are stiffer than Bilstein Comfort but softer than Bilstein Heavy Duty. I bought them from Rusty at www.buymbparts.com. They ride very well on my 1993 300D 2.5L Turbodiesel Sedan.

I saw those same shocks on Ebay a few months back (where buymbparts puts their specials), and I asked for some detail but the answer I got said I could use either the Euro or the Heavy Duty, but offered no advice on what the difference might be. Knowing the Euro shocks fit between Comfort and Heavy Duty would have helped. Too late now, I have the Comfort in the car.

i am surprised euro shocks and struts are different...is this a for sure FACT?

i didn't think rusty had 'euro spec stuff' to begin with.

whenever i would try to get euro spec stuff from him, his 'no' would sound just like the local dealer's.

aren't his parts only the u.s. stuff... period?

peter

The parts numbers according to the Autohaus parts department in Pompano Beach FL says they were for a Euro Spec 124 sedan not a US spec. He also said they wouldn't work and that I should purchase his.

The shocks were shipped direct from Mercedes in NJ, if that means anything. They are stiffer than stock but work very well with the Michelin 205/60/15 Energy MXV4 Plus.

tonystewart

what is the part number?

did you buy your bilsteins [oem for merc] from mercedes with a 1 year warranty or from bilstein with a lifetime warranty?

m.b. new jersey is just the east coast side of mercedes benz usa, so you probably did not get anything 'euro spec' there.

the link did not work for me

peter

Next time I crawl under the car I will write down the numbers and post them. This would be considered an OE purchase for warranty purposes. I would have to disagree with you on your assumption about NJ. I recently ordered some water hoses that came through NJ from Stuttgart. The water hoses on my 93 300D do not have any similarity or part numbers that match US spec cars. Only the Upper Radiator hose matches. The other 27 hoses that were replaced all came from Stuttgart, through NJ. My friend, Helmut, from Renntech told me many years ago that this sort of thing happens alot in model year late builds. Sorry about the "link" not working. Maybe buymbparts isn't offering that product at this time.

tony

i'm not trying to give you a hard time.

my experience has been that n.j. is the east coast side of m.b.usa.
most every part will probably come [originally] from germany.

they are very TIGHT about 'euro spec stuff'.
the u.s. dealers [so they say] can't order euro parts because the parts numbers are not accepted by the computer program they have.
if you have a 'grey market'car and a vehicle registration to prove it, they have to have someone [at mb usa] look up the part numbers then and only then [again they say] can you order the parts.

regarding the hoses [and i admit i don't know for sure] a lot of times m.b. changes parts numbers and sometimes the part itself may be of a new material or design.

anyway i would still [if poss] like to know those numbers and see what i can find out about them.

tia

peter

Thanks Peter I understand completely and I will get those numbers. They should clear up this issue. The hoses are the same numbers and seem to be off equal material/quality. Just happy to get them, you know what I mean. The dealer, Autohaus, seems very helpful, as long as I have the part numbers.