question about struts
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 19
Likes: 4
2011 E350 cabriolet
question about struts
hi all
I have a question about struts.
I have a 2011 e350 1ith 100,000 miles
I have looked at the struts , they look original with Blistiene shocks
I am considering replacing them.
The OEM struts are very pricey ($1500 each )
the oem shocks are about $200 and would need to be installed into springs
You can get off brand complete struts for about $250 for both.
The question I have is do the springs ever wear out?
I think my car is low in the front which to me would indicate the springs are weak.
I find it hard to believe that the springs would weaken and collapse a little on a Benz
.
So my questions:
Has anyone replaced the front struts? If so, with OEM or replacement ones?
Has anyone replaced the shock using the original springs?
Anyone have any idea how high the front of the car should be?
Has anyone change out their shock only to find the original blisstien shocks were still good
( This happened to be on a 25 year old RV with blistiene shocks 115,000 miles , changed shocks but old ones were still good when removed )
Any comments welcome
I have a question about struts.
I have a 2011 e350 1ith 100,000 miles
I have looked at the struts , they look original with Blistiene shocks
I am considering replacing them.
The OEM struts are very pricey ($1500 each )
the oem shocks are about $200 and would need to be installed into springs
You can get off brand complete struts for about $250 for both.
The question I have is do the springs ever wear out?
I think my car is low in the front which to me would indicate the springs are weak.
I find it hard to believe that the springs would weaken and collapse a little on a Benz
.
So my questions:
Has anyone replaced the front struts? If so, with OEM or replacement ones?
Has anyone replaced the shock using the original springs?
Anyone have any idea how high the front of the car should be?
Has anyone change out their shock only to find the original blisstien shocks were still good
( This happened to be on a 25 year old RV with blistiene shocks 115,000 miles , changed shocks but old ones were still good when removed )
Any comments welcome
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,812
Likes: 6,707
From: Silicon Valley
W212 MY'14 M276-3.5NA @75kMi
Front Suspensions Refresh
hi all
I have a question about struts.
I have a 2011 e350 1ith 100,000 miles
I have looked at the struts , they look original with Blistiene shocks
I am considering replacing them.
The OEM struts are very pricey ($1500 each )
the oem shocks are about $200 and would need to be installed into springs
You can get off brand complete struts for about $250 for both.
The question I have is do the springs ever wear out?
I think my car is low in the front which to me would indicate the springs are weak.
I find it hard to believe that the springs would weaken and collapse a little on a Benz
.
So my questions:
Has anyone replaced the front struts? If so, with OEM or replacement ones?
Has anyone replaced the shock using the original springs?
Anyone have any idea how high the front of the car should be?
Has anyone change out their shock only to find the original blisstien shocks were still good
( This happened to be on a 25 year old RV with blistiene shocks 115,000 miles , changed shocks but old ones were still good when removed )
Any comments welcome
I have a question about struts.
I have a 2011 e350 1ith 100,000 miles
I have looked at the struts , they look original with Blistiene shocks
I am considering replacing them.
The OEM struts are very pricey ($1500 each )
the oem shocks are about $200 and would need to be installed into springs
You can get off brand complete struts for about $250 for both.
The question I have is do the springs ever wear out?
I think my car is low in the front which to me would indicate the springs are weak.
I find it hard to believe that the springs would weaken and collapse a little on a Benz
.
So my questions:
Has anyone replaced the front struts? If so, with OEM or replacement ones?
Has anyone replaced the shock using the original springs?
Anyone have any idea how high the front of the car should be?
Has anyone change out their shock only to find the original blisstien shocks were still good
( This happened to be on a 25 year old RV with blistiene shocks 115,000 miles , changed shocks but old ones were still good when removed )
Any comments welcome
> STEEL SPRINGS...
Ride height is an important spec where the suspension is best set near its neutral position. Of course you can re-adjust suspensions away from that factory position... to then wear out tires non-stop.
In short you need to match original springs by VIN. BTW spring coils are usually priced very affordable.
> McPherson Struts...
The dampener may not be leaking oil yet but 2011 100kMi you may as well renew strut + top bearing while swapping your new springs.
In addition consider rear springs and 4x stab links.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; Apr 12, 2026 at 03:30 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 3,596
Likes: 1,071
From: MA Coast
W204 2010 C300 4matic Sport M272
Yes springs wear and break. One of my W204 front springs broke while parked, I heard a loud crack at night then in the morning went out to notice the front corner sitting lower. Car had around 130,000 miles at the time. Made me inspect the rear shocks and struts and they looked all rusted. I ended up replacing the front struts, rear springs and shocks with used MB parts. I was able to find parts from a 40,000 mile salvage car. Everything cost less than the price of one new MB strut. I figure they should last me another 60,000 miles at least. My goal is to keep the car in good running condition for as cheap as possible.
I live in new England right on the coast 10 feet from the ocean so I deal with rust. Around 2yrs ago I started spraying corrosion inhibitor all underneath the car to hopefully help with that issue.
Are you asking if its a good idea to just replace the front strut and reuse the original high mileage spring? If so I wouldnt, I would replace the entire strut assembly and be done with it. Especially if you are paying a shop to do the work. I do all the work myself so save alot of money also.
For me I noticed the biggest difference in how the car rode when I replaced the rear shocks. Before I replaced them the car felt like it was bottoming out over bumps, like the springs were fully compressed down. The new (lower mileage used) shocks were much harder to compress down by hand.
I live in new England right on the coast 10 feet from the ocean so I deal with rust. Around 2yrs ago I started spraying corrosion inhibitor all underneath the car to hopefully help with that issue.
Are you asking if its a good idea to just replace the front strut and reuse the original high mileage spring? If so I wouldnt, I would replace the entire strut assembly and be done with it. Especially if you are paying a shop to do the work. I do all the work myself so save alot of money also.
For me I noticed the biggest difference in how the car rode when I replaced the rear shocks. Before I replaced them the car felt like it was bottoming out over bumps, like the springs were fully compressed down. The new (lower mileage used) shocks were much harder to compress down by hand.
