mysticblu999

im new can anyone help me out? i got a 97 e320 and i just got h&r sport springs and #1 spring pads. one of my shocks is leaking fuid and it sounds awful like its maxing out. ive been looking at bilstein shocks and koni. are there really any differences? do they have anything to do with ride heigth? i look forward to any comments! thank you in advance.

E55Cent

The Bils are very nice and a bit cheaper than the Koni's. The Koni's only true advantage is they have rebound adjustabilty. I have the front set at soft and the rears in the middle to create more oversteer. Many people have Bils and love them and since Mercedes uses shocks and not struts there won't be any height differences. By the way your car should very close to mine (H&R with #1 pads).
Good luck
Mario

Alexbenz

my vote are the bilstein shocks

carlsson9

ditto!

I've been using it, and i've really felt the difference...a really good buy!

PUREMS

Both Bilstein and KONI are excellent shocks. They both feature lifetime warranties against any defects.

Bilsteins tend to be noticeably more firm on rougher roads than the KONI shocks. Both work very well with lowering springs. KONI's have the added bonus of having adjustable rebound dampen, which allows you to fine tune it with the certain spring you're using.

If you're looking to retain comfort, I'd highly prefer to recommend the KONI shocks. If you want a more agressive and sporty ride, the Bilsteins are great.

E43

I have Bilstein Sports with my H&R springs, and I love the combination. You will really notice a difference in handling and ride when you install a shock that is valved to match the sport springs you have already put on. There is no difference in the ride height with the new shocks, however.

mysticblu999

thanks guys. this site has the best forum i have found on the net so far. and everyone seems to be real nice. thank you for your answers!

the springs have been on for like 3days. how long will it take to settle? when they settle will it get any lower? im thinking about cutting the springs. to get another .5" or so. is that ok?

carlsson9

DUDE....do NOT ever cut your springs......especially for a merc!

probably just wait for a week and see how low it will settle...mine, took about 4- 5 days me thinks...

Whitey

As said, cutting the springs is not a great idea - you'll run into troubles with shocks and worn springs in the long run. If you're looking for a 1/2" drop, you'll come real close by simply using thinner spring pads that are two sizes smaller.

mysticblu999

i have #1 pad all the way around.

Whitey

mmmmm, I guess not then....what springs are you running?

mysticblu999

h&r sport springs with #1 spring pads. still got like a 1 finger gap...

Whitey

Bizzarre indeed cuz the H&R's should give you a slam with #1 pads. Reading your original post again, it sure sounds like your shocks have bottomed out and are restricting the drop (what brand are they BTW?). Since you're in the market for new shocks, I know Bilstein SPs (not HD's) are a sure fit as they are designed for lowering springs and a lot of members here have used that combo with good results (look how low Alexbenz's ride is, which I believe has H&R+Bilstein SPs (fender rolling required)). Another to consider is of course the Konis but I don't know much about those unfortunately.

LorinserLV2

I´m using Bilstein kit....


Probably next month will buy the H&R Cup Kit.

Laters

mysticblu999

that makes alot of sense. i went from #5 springs pads and stock springs to #1 spring pads and h&r sport springs and only gave me like a 1.25" drop... kinda pissed about that by the way.. my shocks i have now say "H4" on them whatever that is. im gonna order some bilstein shocks i guess. i originally wanted the cup kit. i called every where looking for one in stock. no one had any. every one told me there were none in the u.s. and it would take like 10 weeks to get one to me. i said screw that. ill just get the sport springs and use the #1 pad. i want at least another .5" to .75" . im running a 225/35/19 so it shouldn't rub. it just needs to be alot lower
i think i might take the shocks out and see what it looks like in a min.. thanks for you help so far guys!

mysticblu999

just got the rear shocks off... still sits the same... oh.. if i forgot to mention, it sits about a .5" lower on the passenger side....sigh...

JLLG

How does one determine when to replace springs due to them wearing out?

E55Cent

Springs are really not known for wearing out. They do settle over time. I would guess most of us wouldn't have a car long enough to worry about worn out springs. The shocks are a different story. Most shocks wear out around 60k to 80K. Sometimes it is hard to notice that your shocks are wearing out because it is so slow and suttle, but the day you replace them with new ones is the day you say, "damn, my old shocks were toast".

JLLG

I am looking to replace my shocks on my 97 E320. Most of my research has pointed to the Bilstein HD as a good replacement. Is that the consenus for just a straight replacement? I am not looking to lower or anything.

mysticblu999

thats what i would do..

E55Cent

[QUOTE=JLLG]I am looking to replace my shocks on my 97 E320. Most of my research has pointed to the Bilstein HD as a good replacement. Is that the consenus for just a straight replacement? I am not looking to lower or anything.[/QUOTE
No matter what shocks you get for our cars, it wont change the ride height. Bils seem to be very popular over Koni (I think because of price). I'm not sure if the HD is the way to go, don't they make a sport. The HD (heavy duty) might be too stiff and cause your car to ride very harsh.
Just my two cents.

Whitey

[QUOTE=E55Cent]Yes, the SP's are designed for lowering springs, HD's may bottom out with shorter sport springs (if that is what JLLG is using) and where out in no time as well .

LorinserLV2

No one here already tryed H&R cup kit?


BTW, installed today new brake disks, Tarox G88 (i think its this) . Look nice, lets see if theyre good too.

Payed 270 Euros for the Disks.

mysticblu999

i couldn't ever get my hands on one!......

mysticblu999

ok my front end is looking more level now... i think it is level now! but the back is still uneven the drivers side is still about .5" too high..... no idea.