socalsounds

I'm installing a set of KYB Gas Adjusts today- list $120, grabbed 'em for $70 each. I was told they'll be an improvement on the stock 127K shocks

Anyone else changed their 7-9 year old shocks?

Chris

Hirnbeiss

I put KYB's on my old W201 after 150K miles, figuring they were due, but I have to admit to being disappointed with the results. The Bilsteins have a well-earned reputation in my book.

mistertonyn

Billstien HD installed on my w210...slightly harder ride over bumps but handles better than stock shocks.

ohlord

are to stiff for the street.Go with bilsteins sports if you have lowering springs or hd's if you have stock springs and just want to firm it up. or oe boegs if stock plush is desired.
ohlord

socalsounds

Well, bolted 'em on (Already had 'em). The job was a breeze, about 15 min per corner. After some driving, here are my impressions of the KYB Gas-A-Just for the W210-055 chassis.

1. Quite firm, as Oh lord stated, but in a nice way. Not harsh. European.
2. Much more level in corners
3. Much less dive on take off and braking.
4. Very well modulated in threshold braking and corner in-out.

Great shock for $300 out the door for 4, pretty much any euro parts dealer.

Keep in mind I had 127K on the originals, and while they were not BAD by any stretch (imagine some Gabriel lasting 127K ), they had just giotten a little soft and bumpy on speedbumps and road undulations.

KYB did a good job on this one. Check 'em out.

Chris

Musikmann

Glad you like them, but it's OEM all the way for me. Everything that is except the ContiProContacts (because they were shot in less than 20,000 miles) so I'm trying BF Goodrich Traction T/A on the advice of the parts manager. They bear the same 93H rating as the Contis but are warranted for 60,000.

ETP

I used Koni adjustables on my 99 430 62K I like them set at 50%. Big difference over factory. They really made a difference when I changed the springs and dropped it 1.5" Good Luck.

SLOPESTAR

99 4matic wagon suggestions? 93,000 miles. all is good but any advice.
another note and surely off topic to someone's standards, my 92' 190e is extremely spongy especially in the rear end/ drivers side. any suggestions? its a 2.6l with 156,000 and runs like a champ. ill be sure to post in the 190 area. thanks

foreyes

Installed KYB-A gas shocks on my 97 E420 along with Eibach lowering springs and re-alignment. Running on 17" AMG aeros with Michelin Pilot Sports, the ride is very firm and controlled, but not harsh. Excellent road feel and great cornering, much better than the E420 with the factory "sport" package. It gives the car a very firm, solid sporty feel, very similar to my old 95 E36 M3.

citruspilot

I have a question. Has anybody here replaced their front end control arm bushings? I have 168K on my car, 97 E420. I have already done the swaybar bushings, lower ball joints, and inner/outer tierods. Havent done the shocks yet. In fact they could be original. I just dont know. Car rides good, no lean either sideways or front to back. Even takes speedbumps slowly with only one and a half cycles up and down. They feel good. Anyway, I put on new tires recently and have had a vibration ever since. Took it back and they rebalanced them but still a slight vibration. (Bridgestone Potenza G019's.) Its starting to **** me off!

I have been told shocks might help that now. But can worn out control arm bushings cause a vibration too? Just trying to get a good feel for this problem before I go out and spend big bucks on shocks only to be dissapointed.

Thanks.

Jeff

Quadcammer

Im sorry, no way a set of shocks turned a 3700lb porker sedan into anything like an E36.

I've had both, and there is no chance in hell.

ron m.

You have the self-leveling rear so you can't change the rear shocks with aftermarket. I also have a 99 wagon (2wd) and replaced the worn out front shocks with KYBs (from Tire Rack) matched with H&R springs. From what I can tell, the overall feel was comparable to a W124 with Bilstein Sports and H&R springs (why that comparison? Because that's what I had before).

ron m.

Calm down... he said similar, not the same.

When I swapped out the suspension of my 300CE from stock to H&R/Bilstein Sport combo, I could swear it handled "similar" to my track-prepped (not Spec) Miata. We get really excited when there's a step-function change.

ohlord

the old tires look like?Any cupping or even wear across the tread?If yo had no vibe before suspect balance and go to a different shop if the one you went to cant get it correct.
168 k time for shocks and easy diy
benzworld.org rays diy in the w210 section.
www.autohausaz.com for oe or hd shocks.

ohlord

you can change the ride height on the rear of the wagon with the adjustment valve,slight adjustment can drop it a bunch so go in small stages.As to shocks a standard power steering pump can be installed and non self leveling shocks installed and lowering springs if you want to drop it.Or remove the coils and cold cut saw(not torch) 1/2 coil out all around and drop it that way.
ohlord

citruspilot

ohlord, no the old tires had no cupping, uneven wear, or vibrations. They just needed to be changed. No vibration before only after. Firestone put them on. I had it back for a rebalance a week later and they balanced good. I watched. Just cant understand why there is a vibration still. Guess maybe I'll just have to take it back to them again and insist they do a balance again..............

If they cant balance them any better this time I'll just have a better shop do them..............and spend the money. I shouldnt have to spend the money to get new tires balanced at another location should I? Thats what pisses me off more.

Thanks for your info.

Jeff

ohlord

is notorious for hard to balance tires,if they can't get it correct with minimal weight have them give your money back and get some michelins at costco.

h0rn3t920

i have a friend that owns a shop i asked him to get me some shocks and he got kybs. i never put them on but i thought they would make the ride harsh. this is after the eibachs are on. plus you have to consider that my wheels are 18 inch with low profile tires. that makes a big difference, doesnt it?

socalsounds

Porker sedan? The curb weight of a W210 is only a couple of passengers north of an occupied '95 M3 (3175 lb minimum US spec). I had one, too, and it was not the super-car that OliverK seems to elevate it to; it rode like crap, (but cornered well), and was not a whole lot faster light to light than my "porker" w210. I got about 6.5 seconds 0-60 when I was getting crushed by '95 Camaros light to light in my less responsible days- I get 7+ seconds to 60 out of my "Porker" now. I see that you have a nice S-class, Oliver, but don't put down the rest of us down that happily drive E-classes- they are outstanding handling cars for their size, and are by no means overweight or sluggish; I will put my driving skills in my Porker up against any kid in an E36 on a slalom course.

And, by the way, the KYB's are a fantastic improvement over old, stock shocks; the car does indeed feel very firm and sporty, ACTUALLY rather similar to the 1995 E34 (540i sport) that I just got rid of (hangar queen).

Whew. Thanks for listening, guys.

Chris

My Porker:

Quadcammer

Chris, I think you may be remembering your M3 a bit incorrectly.

A couple passengers is about 300lbs. Thats quite a bit.

It rode like crap because its a sports coupe. However, mine certainly did not ride badly.

Not a whole lot faster? did you have an automatic? if so, thats why (and you should be ashamed of yourself). The manual gave 0-60 acceleration times of about 5.9 seconds, compared to the 7ish that a 97 e320 is putting up. That is a big difference.

The 210 Eclass does not handle well in stock or mildly modrate form. It is simply too softly sprung, with far too much body roll, and hydro-rubber bushings that are designed for comfort, not handling. Turn in was ok, but it understeers like a beast.

Take even a mildly modified 210 vs. a 95 M3 through an autocross course, and tell me its even close...it won't be.

socalsounds

Ashamed? What the heck is the matter with you? You should be ashamed for even admitting that you own a "blown" mustang. What a guido. Do me a favor and stay in new jersey; guys like you are why I moved from the east coast. You don't even own an e-class, and yet you take the time to come onto this forum and slam them- shouldn't you go cruise in you blown stang with the top down and Journey cranking? Trim the mullet, dude.

Quadcammer

wow, that degraded quite quickly. I didn't see the need for personal insults, but I'll field your post anyway.

yes, anybody who buys an automatic BMW M3 should be ashamed of themselves because it turns a fantastic car into a hohum car. This is probably why you are making comparisons.

I am about as far from a guido as you can get. I work on wall street, go to NYU for an MBA, am German, not italian, own zero jewelry aside from a few watches, and do not wear track suits or an overabundance of hair gel. I speak in a proper, intelligent tone, and am respectful to just about everyone.

Im perfectly fine staying in NJ, I like it here.

I don't even own an Eclass, yet I did for 2 years. I guess prior owners are simply banned from the forum for their old cars, makes sense.

Wait, so now I have a mullet and listen to Journey? I thought I was a guido? Shouldn't that be a brooklyn blowout and some club music? At least make your insults consistent.

Finally, you talk a lot of trash about me being a "redneck" or "guido" for a guy modifying is $6,000 mercedes sedan to race around. It also seems like you may be somewhat bitter about all those camaros cleaning your clock way back.

Lets see, my blown mustang puts down 700rwhp, has almost no body roll and practically zero understeer, has a 6 speed manual, and looks almost bone stock. Full A/C, leather, etc. Furthermore, I don't drag race it, I go for mountain runs with porsche owners. Somehow they seem to accept me just fine, even if you don't.

Is it a classy car? hell no. Thats not why I bought it. Does it keep up with just about anything? absolutely, and that IS why I bought it.

I'll even post a few pics for you:

h0rn3t920

evidently you need an automatic due to the way you drove your mustang
haha JK JK funny funny

opinions of certain people are different. no sense in fighting about it.

BTW Ur idea of a guido is wrong. Here this should clear it up for you:



But i live in nj and its not made up of all guidos. And besides all the guidos are hated here anyway. they all ****in blow.

raymond g-

this is great....a perfectly good thread deteriorated by hair pulling purse fight

AlphaWolf

What's wrong with Journey?! Just went to their concert and the new guy is great!