Zackb911

There are a lot of threads about going to aftermarket shocks. I wanted to see if I could get some feedback from those who have replaced their OEM shocks with new OEM's. My car has 158K miles and is smooth, other than over bumps, I feel it could be dampening more but I have nothing to compare it to. Has anyone noticed a large or noticeable difference in replacing these?

I've recently done ball joints and motor mounts, those made a very nice difference, as did the sway bar endlinks when I got the car.

Thanks,
Zack

Quadcammer

yes I did.

I still feel these cars, at least the 4m ones, are sprung WAY to hard, but some new oem shocks will make the car feel nice again. If you don't drive it like a sports car (which its not), a new set of stock shocks will be a good repair.

Zackb911

I'm not sure of the ride differences between the 4matics and non, but how many miles did yours have? Any specific changes you noticed in the swap? I just want to find out if the end result is justified by the cost and time to do it.

Thanks!
Zack

Quadcammer

well, you get a more controlled ride, and if yours are bad, it will smooth out the bumps and such.

I have 52k miles.

ohlord

shocks are done,your ride needs new ones,oem will give you oem ride,soft,compliant,a nice balance.Bilstein sports are valved fo a little more aggressive ride.How do you really drive is the question you need to ask yourself.But in any case it is time and it is a diy job.fronts and rears are about 94each at several online suppliers.Diy is on benzworld.org w210 section by our own suspension guru,Raymond.............
ohlord
"GOT RIDE?"

Zackb911

Thanks for replying I've done many shocks before so I'm not worried. It's easy for people to regurgitate assumptions from the board or what they think the case is. I was hoping to here from people that have done the OEM for OEM swap and how noticeable the difference was for them, you didn't mention, but did you swap old OEMs with new OEMs?

Zack

ohlord

the rears on the wagon are the self leveling type and they check fine,as long as they are not leaking fluid out and you check that in a big one gallon res. under the hood.They are the ones that run over 200 a piece.you are lucky oems can be had for under 100.it will make the old girl run with the new dogs.
ohlord
I think these guys have the bilstein oem and also the heavy duty,if you want a firmer rebound and such.
http://www.importeccatalog.com/

Zackb911

Thanks I ordered some new OEM/Boge ones and a new transmission mount for giggles from autohausaz.com all told it was a tad over $300 shipped Hopefully I'll get them next weekend and get them in!

fju2112

thanks for the info, guys. I have 91K on my E320 4m. I don't think it rides particularly hard, but then I've never owned a Benz without 4m. I'm not really an enthusiast suspension-wise and I don't drive the car real hard (at least not any more than a typical Massachusetts driver!) so I'll probably just OEM when it's time.

when should one generally think about motor mounts and tranny mounts? The ball joints on my car were done for me at 77K when I bought it. besides shocks, and theother things i've mentioned above, what other things should I look at when i hit above 100K, for ride comfort? right now the ride seems fine but i'm sure at some point within the next year or so some of the suspension components will begin to fade.

ohlord

the mounts,if they are not leaking,collapsed,worn,they are okay.Same with the bushings etc.Shocks at 100k are probably due and like above you will notice it in the new car ride.Plugs at 100k,not wires just plugs and of course trans fluid and filter change if you have not done it yet.All diy items if you like to do those sort of things.Diy's on benzworld.org w210 section.

"GOT CODES?"

Zackb911

FWIW My motor mounts looked ok from underneath. It wasnt till they were out and I compared them to the new ones that I saw they were actually compressed.... The feel at idle is noticeably smoother now with the new ones and they were cheap from autohausaz.com since they were on sale there 3 weeks ago.

Zack

jaamb85

are motor mounts an easy DIY? Seems like you would need some big tools??
Mine has 100k on it and I don't think i need new shocks. It rides smooth. But at idle it sometimes seems a little shakey. But not much. I am sure the motor mounts could use replacing.

thanks

Zackb911

Motor mounts are very easy, I have a diesel so the clearance may have been different but all told I did both in under an hour start to finish. DO a search for more info on your model.

4ra4y

Guys, sorry, I just got into modding cars, so don't know much about it. Can you guys please tell me whether Bilstein made PSS9 for our w210s? If not, apart from Bilstein non adjustable shocks, are there other good brands that produces adjustable shocks for our vehicle? Any replies will help, thanks alot everyone.

ohlord

shocks KYB are valved to firm for a nice ride,why do you want adj. ones?

and killing two birds with one stone,mounts are a diy nice diy with pics on benzworld.org w210 forum diy.
ohlord