Phil B

Anyone have suggestions on when the struts/shocks on a W212 E350 might be looking at replacement? Now at 100K and just interested. Thanks all.

Raj1471

I have a 2011 S212 with 100k miles and need to replace the rear air springs because one is sagging more than the other. When the weather is warmer in the east coast, I plan on tackling this project. I plan on inspecting and more than likely replacing the rear shocks while working on the air bags. I would think that 100k would be a good time to replace them.

cetialpha5

I've done both my rear springs/shocks and also front/springs struts. The shocks first because the tires were wearing funny and then the springs when I could see the rear sitting a bit lower than before. Same with the front springs/struts, they were a tad lower than before. Don't remember the exact mileage, but that was in the 110-130k range. Basically just depends how beat up the springs/shocks/struts are. Big difference after replacing them, car floats a little more over bumps, with the old springs/shocks/struts, they kinda banged over various bumps and didn't feel like they did any cushioning. Did Bilstein shocks for the rear and FCPeuro had the springs for the rear and the basic B4 Bilsteins for the front and OEM springs for the front, no one really made aftermarket springs for the front suspension.

BenzV12

100K is awesome to me given those cars weight

kajtek1

Never replaced shock on MB and I had several of them closing on 300,000 miles.
I think a lot depends on driving style. Even long time ago, me and my friend were driving Fiats 125. My friend was very careful slowing down at each pothole, when I was just driving over them.
So he had his tie rods going bad, while I sold the car with 130k km on factory rods. Bare in mind parts on Fiat wear about 5 times faster than on MB.
No scientific conclusion and 2 samples don't make statistic, but I still don't slow down at potholes.

Senecat

Katjek does actually indeed drive a Model T though, so take that into consideration.

As for your suspension, nothing wrong with a refresh at 100k. Keeping the car forever? Replace everything. Selling it soon? Leave it. Went broke filling up the gas tank yesterday? Leave it.

Point is, your question is too subjective for anyone but you to answer.

kajtek1

Shocks take just seconds to inspect. Push the car corner down with your body weight and observe how it bounces back. Good shock will mean it will go up with no rebouncing.
You can also observe how the car behaves crossing speed bumps. I see lot of cars making 3 or even 4 bounces, when my sedan just swallows the bump.
Even Sprinter, who with long overhang is naturally prone to bouncing is not bad. Mine has almost 200k miles, but no records if shocks have been replaced.

MBNUT1

I drove my A4 for 220k miles including weekend track sessions and never replaced the shocks and never felt the need to. I am at nearly 140K on my E350's original shocks. For sure the chassis damping is fine. The only thing that makes me question the need for replacement shocks / struts is that I get more road vibration and noise than I think a Mercedes E Class should transmit. Having said that, I replaced the shocks and struts on my wife's Mazda 3 at around 130K and it made a world of difference in the ride quality and noise transmission.

Tump43

I felt no need to replace the shocks or springs on my E350 before she was sold at 120k miles. At 80k miles, though, I replaced the engine mounts. That made a huge difference in the quality of my 'ride'. Handling tightened up, I noticed fewer internal vibrations, and everything became smoother.