Aftermarket struts/shocks thoughts?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 234
Likes: 19
Aftermarket struts/shocks thoughts?
I have found lots of people asking the same question regarding switching to Bilstien and a number of other aftermarket brands but I have not found anyone saying something is significantly better or worse.
Is there anyone out there that has switched to something and has real life usage and thoughts one way or the other?
Thanks you...
Is there anyone out there that has switched to something and has real life usage and thoughts one way or the other?
Thanks you...
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 66
Likes: 23
2011 GLK350
Strut assemblies
I have found lots of people asking the same question regarding switching to Bilstien and a number of other aftermarket brands but I have not found anyone saying something is significantly better or worse.
Is there anyone out there that has switched to something and has real life usage and thoughts one way or the other?
Thanks you...
Is there anyone out there that has switched to something and has real life usage and thoughts one way or the other?
Thanks you...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,587
Likes: 343
2013 glk 350
I did some looking before replacing them. What I was told, Your top brands often give a stiffer ride. I went with MB . FCP euro has a lifetime warranty. They sell different brands as well. Since I do mainly city driving I did not want a harsher ride.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 66
Likes: 23
2011 GLK350
Bilsteins
I think the B4 are suppose to be original ride quality and B6 i think are a little stiffer. However if I was to replace.thinfs like that I would replace the spring as well if it hasn't been changed. If it has higher mileage. If it has relatively low mileage I wouldn't replace the springs.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 234
Likes: 19
@Chris1979 If you go to the Bilstein website they promote the B6 as having much better handling characteristics, not stiffer than the B4. So I am going to guess and say they also 10% stiffer than stock like the B4, but with better dampening characteristics. Again, hoping for someone with some real world feedback..
https://workshop.bilstein.com/en/products/bilstein-b6/
There is also a Heavy Duty B6, which is what others maybe reading about
https://offroad.bilstein.com/en-us/p...stein-b6-4600/
https://workshop.bilstein.com/en/products/bilstein-b6/
There is also a Heavy Duty B6, which is what others maybe reading about
https://offroad.bilstein.com/en-us/p...stein-b6-4600/
Last edited by ecohen2; Feb 13, 2023 at 11:10 AM.
Trending Topics
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 60
Likes: 15
[QUOTE=ecohen2;8720952]@Chris1979 If you go to the Bilstein website they promote the B6 as having much better handling characteristics, not stiffer than the B4. So I am going to guess and say they also 10% stiffer than stock like the B4, but with better dampening characteristics. Again, hoping for someone with some real world feedback..
It looks like Bilstein B4 Dampmatic is designed to perform similarly to ZF-Sachs/M-B AGILITY CONTROL OEM design, while the B6 has a more conventional design that has consistent damping throughout the range. Ride harshness may depend more on tire/wheel setup?
I'll be tempted to put the B4s up front and B6s in the rear to tighten up handling while maintaining stock ride, because I have set up other cars like this and found it to work well. Most drivers want 'matched' struts and shocks though.
It looks like Bilstein B4 Dampmatic is designed to perform similarly to ZF-Sachs/M-B AGILITY CONTROL OEM design, while the B6 has a more conventional design that has consistent damping throughout the range. Ride harshness may depend more on tire/wheel setup?
I'll be tempted to put the B4s up front and B6s in the rear to tighten up handling while maintaining stock ride, because I have set up other cars like this and found it to work well. Most drivers want 'matched' struts and shocks though.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 234
Likes: 19
@Discod I am thinking about the B6 Performance front and rear. I am not particularly worried about ride harshness, but I would like to improve the handling over uneven road surface. I have the standard 19" rims with good Pirelli Scorpion tires, which really are a huge improvement over the run flats..
