Which new shock for my E320 CDI
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Bedford Co. Tennessee
2006 E-320 CDI
Which new shock for my E320 CDI
I blew out a strut the other day on a massive pothole. Looking for aftermarket performance struts without spending a ton of money. New OEM Sachs were $240. I was considering Koni's Yellow Sport adjustable ( I probably won't adjust), found them for $176 each, or some Bilsteins, HD's I guess. Haven't seen much talk on the Koni here, would like some input on both if possible. Car rides like total crap now and needs new parts asap. Thanks for any help.
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Please post a comparison once you get some miles on the Bilsteins. I have been wanting to improve the wallowy ride since my E320 CDI was new (more specifically, the weird difference in dampening between front and rear), but am concerned the wife will throw a fit (it is her primary car) if the ride is too compromised.
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From: USA, EU
06 E320 CDI (GONE), 14 Jeep GC EcoDiesel, 01 Disco II (GONE), 09 BMW X3 3.0 Si Xdrive
https://mbworld.org/forums/5638005-post1460.html
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Member
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Miami
2003 E320 W211
My car has 98k miles, My tires are in good shape but I could hear a humming noise coming from the rear when I was at high speed, I put the car on the lift and noticed my rear tires were feathered due to bad rear shocks, recently replaces my rear shock and bought all new tires, cars runs mint. Tomorrow I'm installing new Eibach lowering springs, should drop the car 1.5" front and rear,
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Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: USA, EU
06 E320 CDI (GONE), 14 Jeep GC EcoDiesel, 01 Disco II (GONE), 09 BMW X3 3.0 Si Xdrive
It is stiff, but after you get use to it is ok, at this point everything I ride in feels like boat. If I push down on the front fender dive is between 1/8 and 1/4 of the inch compare to original travel close to 2 inches, probably.
My car has 98k miles, My tires are in good shape but I could hear a humming noise coming from the rear when I was at high speed, I put the car on the lift and noticed my rear tires were feathered due to bad rear shocks, recently replaces my rear shock and bought all new tires, cars runs mint. Tomorrow I'm installing new Eibach lowering springs, should drop the car 1.5" front and rear,
You can expect premature shock wear if you are keeping OEM length shocks, also a bigger chance of bottoming the shock in pothole.
Most people complain about uneven front/back drop they get from Eibach springs.
Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 134
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From: Miami
2003 E320 W211
New lowering springs installed.
I want to make a correction from my last reply. The Springs I ordered Were not Eibach they are H&R. Installed then today, lowered the vehicle 1.5" front and rear. Not a stiff ride at all, and handles corners great, not to mention car looks bad *** now
I want to make a correction from my last reply. The Springs I ordered Were not Eibach they are H&R. Installed then today, lowered the vehicle 1.5" front and rear. Not a stiff ride at all, and handles corners great, not to mention car looks bad *** now
Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 134
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From: Miami
2003 E320 W211
Thanks. I'll take some pics tomorrow horizontally and post them, man what a difference on the handling with the lower springs, I'm defiantly going to have to buy new tires soon, taking corners at high speed is very addicting
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2010 GL450
Hmmm. My 2009 E350 amg sport package sits that low stock. Wonder if they made the facelift sport package models lower than the oldies. I'll have to compare to my sister in laws 2006 E350 when she is over next time.
Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 134
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From: Miami
2003 E320 W211
I also think the older models like mine did come a bit higher than the new ones like the one you own.
Yours prob came with 18" wheels from factory, correct?
Mine comes with 16" factory. so when I replaced the wheels with 19" it looked like a jeep, way to much gap between the fender and tires,
Yours prob came with 18" wheels from factory, correct?
Mine comes with 16" factory. so when I replaced the wheels with 19" it looked like a jeep, way to much gap between the fender and tires,
Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 134
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From: Miami
2003 E320 W211
Stock suspension and 19" rims
H&R lower springs. "Perfect"
Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 134
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From: Miami
2003 E320 W211
you drive a 2009, your car comes pretty low from factory compared to mine being a 2003, all cars now a days come alittle lower and sportier then the older models.
Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 134
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From: Miami
2003 E320 W211
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 430
Likes: 6
From: USA, EU
06 E320 CDI (GONE), 14 Jeep GC EcoDiesel, 01 Disco II (GONE), 09 BMW X3 3.0 Si Xdrive
Your right these springs won't lower your car, but remember these are for a 2003. If you order the right springs for your year car it will,
you drive a 2009, your car comes pretty low from factory compared to mine being a 2003, all cars now a days come alittle lower and sportier then the older models.
you drive a 2009, your car comes pretty low from factory compared to mine being a 2003, all cars now a days come alittle lower and sportier then the older models.
Yes the are - I am on last (bottom) notch on B8, but I have custom made plate which keeps the spring centered and adds 1/8 of the inch to the total height. Look here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/5843580-post42.html
Last edited by isstay; Feb 10, 2014 at 10:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 11
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From: Bedford Co. Tennessee
2006 E-320 CDI
LemonSqueezy & Eayacht - Nice rides!
Riding on the Bilsteins for almost a year now, and no complaints. I did not think the ride was terribly stiff, just gave te car a good "tight" feeling. Handling is good and body roll is minimal as stated earlier by someone else. I will definately put these in the rear when needed. I didn't really notice any unbalence having only replaced the fronts, but imagine the car will be even better when I replace the rears, just didn't see the point in throwing money at it now. I ordered mine from Allshocks.com. Good Price and free shipping over $250.
I've been a truck guy till recently and love the ease of driving and comfort of my E-320 CDI, not to mention 35-41 mpg highway. I don't know much about cars and with my lack of experience it can be difficult to give someone a run down on things I don't know. Compared to a 1 ton truck the car rides like a dream, regardless of the type of shocks. I'm a noob here and definately have more questions than answers. The other guys (and gals) two cents are probably worth more than mine.
Riding on the Bilsteins for almost a year now, and no complaints. I did not think the ride was terribly stiff, just gave te car a good "tight" feeling. Handling is good and body roll is minimal as stated earlier by someone else. I will definately put these in the rear when needed. I didn't really notice any unbalence having only replaced the fronts, but imagine the car will be even better when I replace the rears, just didn't see the point in throwing money at it now. I ordered mine from Allshocks.com. Good Price and free shipping over $250.
I've been a truck guy till recently and love the ease of driving and comfort of my E-320 CDI, not to mention 35-41 mpg highway. I don't know much about cars and with my lack of experience it can be difficult to give someone a run down on things I don't know. Compared to a 1 ton truck the car rides like a dream, regardless of the type of shocks. I'm a noob here and definately have more questions than answers. The other guys (and gals) two cents are probably worth more than mine.
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Joined: Oct 2014
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2005 Dodge Magnum
I just ordered Bilstein H/D's for the front of my 05 E320 CDI with 130k miles do you think I should replace the top mounts at the same time? If so which ones do you think are best? I also plan on getting the H&R springs. So far I have seen the best prices for the springs on ebay with free shipping. I got the struts for $129 each from shock warehouse. Also my front suspension is creaking and making a clicking sound when I go over bumps at a slow speed, from what I have read on here it is more then likely the lower ball joints are suspect. The lower control arms were just replaced before I bought the car. Any ideas on what brand ball joints I should get? OE MBZ or are ones from NAPA ok?
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From: VA
THE C350
I just ordered Bilstein H/D's for the front of my 05 E320 CDI with 130k miles do you think I should replace the top mounts at the same time? If so which ones do you think are best? I also plan on getting the H&R springs. So far I have seen the best prices for the springs on ebay with free shipping. I got the struts for $129 each from shock warehouse. Also my front suspension is creaking and making a clicking sound when I go over bumps at a slow speed, from what I have read on here it is more then likely the lower ball joints are suspect. The lower control arms were just replaced before I bought the car. Any ideas on what brand ball joints I should get? OE MBZ or are ones from NAPA ok?
Last edited by samaritrey; Mar 4, 2015 at 01:28 AM.
