Front Struts
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: Connecticut
E320
Front Struts
Ok. I never know what to buy. I have an 07 E320, 138000 miles. Front strut spring is broken. I want to purchase 2 complete strut assemblies. Don't want to spend bilstein prices. I see places selling Unity struts. Anyone ever use these? Rockauto had some FCS brand cheap for like $65 each. How good could they be? Thanks for the help
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
Yeah aside from Unity quick struts, no one else really seems to make them. I'd question their one size fits all too. For springs, I think there's 3 different types per year so you would go by the color code on the spring. Probably something to do with whether you have sport or luxury, or 4matic vs RWD. I didn't think the Bilstein were that expensive compared to Sachs which were OEM. At least they have a lifetime warranty. On the W211, the springs really have to be compressed, not really a fan of doing it too often with those springs. I did OEM springs and Bilstein struts. What's the vin number? I don't see Bilstein listed for your car, but it was the same with mine, I had to look up the bilstein part number and just order that directly from rockauto, they didn't list the application for mine although it was the correct one and it had a lifetime warranty. FCS is well known to be junk and people say they're blown after 1-2 years, after all what do you expect for $62? Although that's for different car models, I don't think I've really hard of anyone putting those on an MB so your experience might be different.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,749
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From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
I put the unity strut assembly on my '05 two weeks ago. Seems to work fine. What's it going to do- break? The mercedes springs and struts already have done that on 3 corners of the car. I have had a few cars and trucks in my life and this is the first marque that has broken a spring.
They bolted on just fine and the car is level. Got the pair from Amazon for about $150.
They bolted on just fine and the car is level. Got the pair from Amazon for about $150.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,527
Likes: 2,044
From: US
2008 E350, 2012 ML350, 2014 E350, 2015 ML350
I am also surprised about threads mentioning broken springs on several MB models. I will watch out for how mine age.
However, the quality of any springs+strut/shock set is on how you feel the car rides, how it steers consistently, and up to the design specifications. Watch out for the tire's and steering components wear, that will tell you if they were worth your money.
The part that always worries me is a catastrophic failure w/o warning the part was aging. That is the leap of faith we put when buying from a known manufacturer (of anything in fact). All manufacturers have quality issues, just happens some can be 10% while others can be 0.1% and you do not want to be "the one" on neither.
Good luck with yours
However, the quality of any springs+strut/shock set is on how you feel the car rides, how it steers consistently, and up to the design specifications. Watch out for the tire's and steering components wear, that will tell you if they were worth your money.
The part that always worries me is a catastrophic failure w/o warning the part was aging. That is the leap of faith we put when buying from a known manufacturer (of anything in fact). All manufacturers have quality issues, just happens some can be 10% while others can be 0.1% and you do not want to be "the one" on neither.
Good luck with yours
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 400
From: Merkville the galaxy of Stars
'99 CLK/05 E500 WAG
So it boils down to "You get what you pay for" Spending $ vs $$ vs $$$. I dont compromise on safety nor ride. Who's willing to ride on a suspension that's not riding correctly? Heck I dont like it when the brakes squeaks!
Like the ol proverb "You can pay me now, or pay me later, but you will pay"
R
2Merks
Watch "Pay me Now or Pay me Later; Pay Me you will!" on YouTube
Like the ol proverb "You can pay me now, or pay me later, but you will pay"
R
2Merks
Watch "Pay me Now or Pay me Later; Pay Me you will!" on YouTube
Trending Topics
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 41
Likes: 10
w211 e500 4 matic
Whatever you do, in no uncertain circumstances should you buy an RMT (rebuild master tech) strut.
Long story short, if you do not pay a certified master mechanic to install it, they will void your warranty.
Well guess what, the one I bought from them threw a code as soon as I plugged it in. They sold me a shock that had a short circuit somewhere in the shock itself, not the wiring harness that's removable.
Took me 2 weeks to troubleshoot and realize it was the new shock, not my car that was the issue.
I will forever drag that company online for not providing a warranty for a part that is owner installed AND for selling me a garbage part out of the box.
I will **** talk them until i feel i've gotten my $350 back.
Buy FCP euro (lifetime warranty even if not installed by a mechanic) and make sure you get a bilstein.
Bite the bullet. I did all four corners, my pump, replaced some metal clamps on the leveling tanks in the back, etc.
2004 mercedes e500 4 matic wagon
black on black
119k miles
matthew
Long story short, if you do not pay a certified master mechanic to install it, they will void your warranty.
Well guess what, the one I bought from them threw a code as soon as I plugged it in. They sold me a shock that had a short circuit somewhere in the shock itself, not the wiring harness that's removable.
Took me 2 weeks to troubleshoot and realize it was the new shock, not my car that was the issue.
I will forever drag that company online for not providing a warranty for a part that is owner installed AND for selling me a garbage part out of the box.
I will **** talk them until i feel i've gotten my $350 back.
Buy FCP euro (lifetime warranty even if not installed by a mechanic) and make sure you get a bilstein.
Bite the bullet. I did all four corners, my pump, replaced some metal clamps on the leveling tanks in the back, etc.
2004 mercedes e500 4 matic wagon
black on black
119k miles
matthew
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 400
From: Merkville the galaxy of Stars
'99 CLK/05 E500 WAG
Whatever you do, in no uncertain circumstances should you buy an RMT (rebuild master tech) strut.
Long story short, if you do not pay a certified master mechanic to install it, they will void your warranty.
Well guess what, the one I bought from them threw a code as soon as I plugged it in. They sold me a shock that had a short circuit somewhere in the shock itself, not the wiring harness that's removable.
Took me 2 weeks to troubleshoot and realize it was the new shock, not my car that was the issue.
I will forever drag that company online for not providing a warranty for a part that is owner installed AND for selling me a garbage part out of the box.
I will **** talk them until i feel i've gotten my $350 back.
Buy FCP euro (lifetime warranty even if not installed by a mechanic) and make sure you get a bilstein.
Bite the bullet. I did all four corners, my pump, replaced some metal clamps on the leveling tanks in the back, etc.
2004 mercedes e500 4 matic wagon
black on black
119k miles
matthew
Long story short, if you do not pay a certified master mechanic to install it, they will void your warranty.
Well guess what, the one I bought from them threw a code as soon as I plugged it in. They sold me a shock that had a short circuit somewhere in the shock itself, not the wiring harness that's removable.
Took me 2 weeks to troubleshoot and realize it was the new shock, not my car that was the issue.
I will forever drag that company online for not providing a warranty for a part that is owner installed AND for selling me a garbage part out of the box.
I will **** talk them until i feel i've gotten my $350 back.
Buy FCP euro (lifetime warranty even if not installed by a mechanic) and make sure you get a bilstein.
Bite the bullet. I did all four corners, my pump, replaced some metal clamps on the leveling tanks in the back, etc.
2004 mercedes e500 4 matic wagon
black on black
119k miles
matthew
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 41
Likes: 10
w211 e500 4 matic
yes. IF you don't pay a certified master mechanic to install (and uninstall) their parts, which you have to prove, then they won't warranty anything at all ever.
FCP euro, on the otherhand (and everyone else, really) will warranty the part, not how it's installed.
All sorts of red flags when you won't warranty your parts. I learned the hard way. The entire RMT shock went in the trash. Bought a bilstein from FCP Euro. I proved to RMT it was the shock that was bad, not my install. Didn't matter. Lesson Learned.
It's now my life's mission to discourage anyone from buying RMT. **** them.
m
FCP euro, on the otherhand (and everyone else, really) will warranty the part, not how it's installed.
All sorts of red flags when you won't warranty your parts. I learned the hard way. The entire RMT shock went in the trash. Bought a bilstein from FCP Euro. I proved to RMT it was the shock that was bad, not my install. Didn't matter. Lesson Learned.
It's now my life's mission to discourage anyone from buying RMT. **** them.
m
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,418
Likes: 400
From: Merkville the galaxy of Stars
'99 CLK/05 E500 WAG
I concur with your argument about that company. The customer service department is really really bad. I dealt with them about 2 years ago and never again!!
just my opinion!
R,
2merks
just my opinion!
R,
2merks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 1,550
From: MA
2008 E350 4Matic, 2011 E350 4matic
yes. IF you don't pay a certified master mechanic to install (and uninstall) their parts, which you have to prove, then they won't warranty anything at all ever.
FCP euro, on the otherhand (and everyone else, really) will warranty the part, not how it's installed.
All sorts of red flags when you won't warranty your parts. I learned the hard way. The entire RMT shock went in the trash. Bought a bilstein from FCP Euro. I proved to RMT it was the shock that was bad, not my install. Didn't matter. Lesson Learned.
It's now my life's mission to discourage anyone from buying RMT. **** them.
m
FCP euro, on the otherhand (and everyone else, really) will warranty the part, not how it's installed.
All sorts of red flags when you won't warranty your parts. I learned the hard way. The entire RMT shock went in the trash. Bought a bilstein from FCP Euro. I proved to RMT it was the shock that was bad, not my install. Didn't matter. Lesson Learned.
It's now my life's mission to discourage anyone from buying RMT. **** them.
m
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 41
Likes: 10
w211 e500 4 matic
Spread the word. I make note the RMT scam in ALL of my posts.
FCP Euro: Lifetime PARTS warranty, installed by anyone mechanic or not.
RMT : Gamble on garbage, only waranteed if installed by a certified master mechanic with receipt of services and installation (not some shadetree corner gas station, or even yourself).
Our time, and money, is worth more than someone else telling us what to do with our parts or who is required to install them. At the cost of paying a master mechanic $190 an hour to install my parts, I STILL come out ahead by buying FCP Euro, paying twice as much, installing myself, AND get a lifetime warranty as a bonus.
RMT is preying on indecision, uncertainty, and those that can't afford to pay a little more for a better product at that moment in time.
F**K RMT.
This is the end of my TED talk.
matthew
FCP Euro: Lifetime PARTS warranty, installed by anyone mechanic or not.
RMT : Gamble on garbage, only waranteed if installed by a certified master mechanic with receipt of services and installation (not some shadetree corner gas station, or even yourself).
Our time, and money, is worth more than someone else telling us what to do with our parts or who is required to install them. At the cost of paying a master mechanic $190 an hour to install my parts, I STILL come out ahead by buying FCP Euro, paying twice as much, installing myself, AND get a lifetime warranty as a bonus.
RMT is preying on indecision, uncertainty, and those that can't afford to pay a little more for a better product at that moment in time.
F**K RMT.
This is the end of my TED talk.
matthew
