sjh500

I have a 1994 E320 sedan, and was hoping someone could tell me if I can use the Bilstein Comfort shock with the H&R lowering springs? I am trying to decide whether to use the comfort(if it works with H&R) or the HD's. I don't want too harsh of a ride, and some people have said the HD can be a little harsh.

Second, where is the best place to buy Bilstein's? When I look at the usual suspects websites, most only give prices for the comforts, and only have the HD's listed for E420's?

I have already purchased the springs, so I am ready to go as far as buying the shocks. I will probably go with a better rear sway bar also.

Thanks for the help.

sjh500

I know these type of questions have already been answered, I just can't seem to find where someone mention's whether you can use comfort Bilstein's with HR's. Please help guys, I have looked...maybe I'm a jackass!

RHW

search function will likely lead you to HDs.

Floobydust

I have the H & R springs and a set of Bilstein Comforts and Bilstein HDs. Either shock if fine with the stock springs, but I think you find that the Comforts will feel "bouncy" and may bottom out frequently with the H & Rs. The shock, spring, and any unsprung weight (e.g., tires & wheels) form a damped harmonic oscillator which should be as close to critically damped as possible for the best ride versus excessive suspension travel. In order for the H & R springs to absorb the same suspension loads over the shorter suspension travel of a lowered car, they have to be stiffer than the stock springs. The stiffer springs in turn require higher dampening rates, like those provided by the HDs, to keep the suspension within limits.

Based on my limited experience with both HD and Comfort, I would speculate that a shock with valving somewhere in between would probably be optimal for the H & Rs, but I think there are only two valve rate choices with Bilstein for the W124. I have been that told that the third Bilstein option, the Sports, have the same valving as the HDs, but total travel that is ~ 2.5 cm shorter than the HDs. I'm not sure they are needed for the drop provided by the H & Rs.

ptoro01

The hr springs are slightly stiffer than eibach. Ive driven both vogtland springs, which are very stiff/low and eibach. Each time with bilstein sports. The spring affects comfort significantly.

The difference between the shocks is how quickly they compress and rebound. With stock springs having the most movement, comforts are typical but for increased stiffness the HD's fit. With a stiffer spring, a stronger shock absorber would match better. The valving in both the HD and sports are the same, HD are just longer. As the spring supports the car, using HD's or sports only affect the range in which the struts operate.

I've also driven on stock shocks with cut springs and that was a little unprofessional..

As such, I'd say stiffer shock, softer spring(eibach).

Saijin_Naib

Running Koni Yellows + H&R Sports here.

The ride is firm & planted, but not uncomfortable by any means. You will get more road feel into the cabin though, that comes with stiffer springs and higher damping (4/5 damping rate for Yellows currently).

I'd suggest the Konis so you can at least adjust the damping rate if you desire.

sjh500

Thanks for the info guys, it seems h&r and Bilstein's is my easiest route, although, Koni's are intersting.

sjh500

Thanks for the responses! I will go with the HD's. It looks like going to Partsgeek would be the best for price, but it's confusing, there website doesn't really list which one is comfort, HD or Sport?

grane

Go to the Bilsteinusa website and look it up there. Then call them at the US headquarters and get someone to verify the fitment. They have true engineering specs that are not published on the Internet. Then you can buy retail with the correct part numbers.

How do I know? Check out the G500, etc thread for my post about Bilsteins.

sjh500

Thanks grane, I was able to contact Bilstein and they gave me the correct part numbers.

Makahveli

Sorry to change the focus here guys but I gotta know, are those foam bump stops for the front shocks really needed, do they have a true purpose?

Saijin_Naib

Yes, they prevent excessive upwards travel of the suspension geometry, hopefully preventing you from adjusting the fender from the inside over crap roads

Makahveli

Aight then didn't know took them off 5 years ago and haven't driven the Benz in two years but its back running finally now!