Jasien139

Hello folks,
i have a W212 E220 Diesel (UK-market) with an OM651 engine. the car has a AMG Sport packages and thus also sports suspension. noted as: "486 SPORTS SUSPENSION" when decoding my VIN.

Front shocks according to EPC: (A 2123234900) "-488-489+486: SPORTS CHASSIS TUNING"
Rear shocks according to EPC: (A 2123204230)

Front and rear springs i couldn't find the exact code cause it says something about color coding. but i will need to change this too, i assume, if i want to raise the car a bit.

all these parts when searched in a car parts website like Autodoc for example, corresponds to Bilstein B6 (for front and rear) and/or Bilstein B8 (for front only) (shocks)
But as far as i know these are stiff shocks, for performance and for off road (respectively).

where i live, the roads are rough, mostly broken asphalt, al ot of speedbumps etc.. i want my car to drive like my father's W210 elegance did. going over speedbumps without even feeling a thing.

anyhow, i read that the Bilstein B4 (Dampmatic) can give me that ride quality? when inputting my car model etc.. it gives me that option indeed. but the OEM Codes don't match.
also i want to change all the springs as that may also make the ride softer and raise the car a bit. but without knowing the part numbers for an elegance/comfort model how will i know which to buy.

i think there are many things to look out for, for example the rear top spring bearing says sports chassis tuning in EPC (A 2123260367) and the top shim also comes in many sizes (5mm, 9 mm, 13mm, 17mm) i don't know exactly what i have now as that information isn't given. but i assume to raise the car i will need to change the top shim as well, probably to the 17mm one?
There is so much to consider it seems.

could you please help me with advice and information regarding changing my shocks and springs from sport to elegance/comfort for a softer ride and to raise the car?
if i have the part number for a softer front and rear shocks and springs that will fit on my car, and any additional small parts that need changing such as the shims and bearings that will help me alot.

i look forward to hearing from you,
Kind regards, Jasien

S-Prihadi

Here is what I have for suspension database :

480 Self levelling suspension
482 Suspension with higher ground clearance
483 ADVANCED AGILITY Package with sports mode
485 Comfort suspension
486 AMG RIDE-CONTROL performance suspension
486 sports suspension (A class)
487 Active body control suspension
489 Airmatic - semi active air suspension
677 AVANTGARDE/STANDARD SUSPENSION

Sometimes the description can be different for the same code number. Always use the code.
Did you enter your VIN in the EPC ? If you do not, it will not detect your car Data Card and can give you common parts as per your chassis code, but extra paid options it wont know.

When you see EPC, be careful when seeing MINUS sign like you showed :
Front shocks according to EPC: (A 2123234900) "-488-489+486: SPORTS CHASSIS TUNING"
The MINUS sign means the A 2123234900 is NOT VALID for 488 and 468 suspension code, and is valid for 486.

Lets assume ( you best check again ) that your car has the 486
But i run a check on the P/N you gave for front damper : A 2123234900

See the result below : Here I am not using my VIN, just my chassis code, so that all W212.065 possibility/options will be shown.











,,,,,,







==================== Now with VIN ================== only 1 option






For best comfort and for dampers only, as I do not know your spring....yet, you need to get
Bilstein B4 Front and Rear.

The dampmatic is not available for W212 I last check. But my friend's W204 C200, I bought him all 4 bilstein B4 and it is Dampmatic.

B6 ( yellow ) is the sportier version of B4. I use B6 at the rear only, was using B4.
B8 is a shortened version of sporty B6, don't buy this one. This is for those on lowering springs.

Include your VIN please.

Your dad old W210 probably has 70 aspect ratio tire right ? Or maybe 65 AR.
Ours on average is 40 AR, so it wont be as comfy as fat tires.
The disc brake size will dictate the smallest rim diameter you can buy, if you want fat comfy tire.

There was a member from Hong Kong having the same request as you. You must search this site, in W212 too.
He did/replace a few things like a smaller rim, fatter tire and comfy spring, if I remember correctly.

Left Coast Geek

US model w124's wore /65 tires on 15" wheels, W210 E320's were /55 on 16" wheels... US model W212 E350 are /40 ('sport') or /45 ('luxury').

Dingo L

It's me, i'm the Hong Kong guy!

​​​​​​Yup i'm still driving my W212 E250.
I changed the springs from 677 to 485, keeping the original 677 shocks , and with 225/55/16 tyres....
All in all the ride is much better than an Avangrade.
Hope this helps.
Cheers!

​

Left Coast Geek

sadly, you can't run 16's on US model 212's, the front brakes are too big, 17 is the minimum wheel they'll clear.

btw, shocks really should be matched to the spring rate for the best results. a stiffer spring needs a stiffer shock, a softer spring is best matched with a softer shock. taken to extremes, too stiff of a shock can 'pack down' during repeated suspension excursions with too soft of a spring..

to explain that, a 'shock absorber' is really a damper, its function is to slow down the suspension to prevent 'pogo stick' bouncing after a bump. modern shocks have different damping rates for compression and rebound, so they compress faster than they rebound... said 'stiff' sport shock has more compression and rebound damping... combine this with a soft spring, and run this past a rough road with ripples, and the spring won't be able to overcome the rebound damping fast enough to return the suspension to the mid point after each compression event

S-Prihadi

Good to hear from you

Jasien139

Hello, S-Prihadi,
sorry it took me a while to respond,

to answer your questions in order:
I don't have access to official Benz EPC, Rather i use a parts selling website called Ssg.asia and input my VIN there
hoping to get the best results that it gets according to my VIN.

i looked at the screenshots you provided.
i searched a bit on SSG ASIA and Autodoc.nl(where i buy my parts) and found a few stuff.

Also, here is my VIN: WDD2120022B050181 Maybe this helps you finding the part codes i need to change from sport to comfy.
to sum up all the stuff that i added down here, its all the items that i can get on autodoc with my chassis code. you have my VIN now. maybe that will help to see what options there are for my car.
hope to see your answer soon.
here are the screenshots:



Front L & R Shocks
According to this front and left shocks part number is A 2123234900
Now we go to autodoc to seach the part and i get 2 options with this part number.
first:

B8 Offroad
You stated that B8 is mostly for lowered cars, that checks out. as my car is lower that usual. (but it may be due to sport suspension i don't know)
and the other option that i get is this:

B6 Performance

As you can see, these 2 items are the only one that match with my Part number: A 2123234900

but these are not the only options that i get, because autodoc doesn't work with VIN. it works with chassis code. so i am sending 2 more options that i can get, with part numbers. that i actually need, but obviously it doesn't match with my car part number.
first option

B4 OE Replacement DAMPMATIC
Models: Cars without Airmatic DC | For cars with Standard Chassis (translated from the photo)
Supported part numbers for this item

Supported part numbers
These are all the part numbers for the first item.

Now we go to the second option

Second option also B4 OE REPLACEMENT DAMPMATIC
But the description is different
translation: For cars without Airmatic DC | For rough road cars. ......(4matic i think?)
i guess i don't need to send the part numbers of this item as my car is not 4matic.

It should be the first option right?

thats all for the Front shocks, i shall await your advice.
now on to the rear one.


Part number according to SSG.ASIA for Rear shocks
According to this website with my VIN the part number of my rear shocks is A 2123204230

Now on to autodoc.nl we go!
i got again many options as autodoc works with Chassis code.
the part number matched! with this:

B6 Performance
that checked out. the part number matches with the B6.
This time it doesn't match with the B8 though, as it did with the front.

now lets take a look at the other options:

B4 OE REPLACEMENT
Description: For cars without AIRMATIC DC | For cars with STANDARD Chassis.
here are all the part numbers that its for:

part numbers for B4 OE REPLACEMENT REAR

There is another item that is identical but just like for the front it says for rough road cars (4matic?) so i will not be sending that to not make this all cluttered.

phew, that is alot of typing
lets finalize the shocks before going to springs.
i hope to see your answer soon,
kind regards
J.

S-Prihadi

Jasien,

Do not use AutoDoc for correct parts recommendation.
They are too much a salesman.

Lets get basic data first.
Attached is your car DataCard

Lets study your datacard





.....

19 inch wheels, Please confirm. Your car is pre-owned right ? We do not know what previous owner may have modified.
19" wheel alone is a comfort killer. I am on 18".


Please verify your front brake disc rotor size. If on mine with the same 950 code, I get 344mm brembo 4 piston.
If indeed 344mm is what you have, I bet 18" wheel is as small as you can go, you PROBABLY can't go 17" due to the brake caliper bigger size and the rotor too.
If indeed you want to go 17", measure everything properly first to clear the brake system. I do not have a 17" wheel to study them

This is my 18" wheel clearance to brake caliper system




Also when and if you replaced to an 18" wheel/rim, its design or the ET ( offset ) need to be able to clear the fat Brembo caliper.
AMG original 18" wheel spoke/fingers on my car, is designed as such it being ET48 the caliper wont hit the wheel/rim.
The above is a BBS which is ET47 ( 1 mm more forgiving ), yet it will hit the Brembo caliper, due to the rim spoke is not bent outward enough.
I ended up having to add front spacer of 5mm thickness, the distance to clear the caliper is only 3mm








I am comparing you suspension data to mine


It seems only the rear spring is the difference , rear damper not included yet for this comparison.

I want to let you know that the P/N sticker on my front strut is not a valid P/N as per EPC..... but it match the datacard. You best see what is the sticker P/N on your front strut too.





Same for yours, the datacard P/N for front strut is also not valid.





Will continue..............

S-Prihadi

Next........

Lets compare my E400 677 suspension to yours 486 Sports, see what common parts we share, so that I can tell your how comfy they are in my car.

Only red is of different P/N




.
Front strut/damper is not included below.





So far the most successful conversion to comfort that I l know of is by Dingo, but he can use 16" wheel/rim which is a BIG BIG comfort maker.





So how could you go to code 485 comfort ?
Let's see........... for FRONT SPRING





For REAR spring





Now, I have 677 based dampers front and back and I converted to Bilstein b4.
I can guarantee you that Bilstein B4 is as comfortable as 677 MB version and in fact B4 is more quiet...yes more quiet.
B4 when driven hard will become rather sporty, that is the beauty. When driven slow it is comfy.
I did ended up using B6 at the rear, but that is for up to 200KM/H speed over bridge joints where my rear suspension bottomed out more often when using B4.
You don't need a B6.


So choose your options :

01. Replace front and rear springs to be 485 code.
You will ask why so many 485 code spring. What I can answer you is the NORMAL ride height target MB is trying to achieve, based on car total weight when spec out with options.
Springs are always X KG per millimeter of compression. So heavier car will be given different spring to sit stationary as per MB target design.
I don't know how to identify what color dots or more color dots being stiffer or softer.
The best is to get a simple basic W212.002 with least options and get their VIN and we see their springs P/N.

02. Tires, 19" is a NO NO NO for comfort.
Start measuring your front and rear braking system, can 17" be used or not, if you can, you are lucky, or go to 18" and choose Michelin Primacy 4 or similar comfort type tire.

03. If you want to go further and seek the code 485 dampers, find below. However I would not go there as it is a waste of money and even 677 dampers high speed handling is a piece-of-shi-et !!!




....







------



For code 485 damper : https://www.mbpartsexpress.com/oem-p...ber-2123200630



If you want Bilstein B4, the part numbers in my post :
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...lstein-b4.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...oad-noise.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...helin-ps4.html



Take your time making your decision.................

Jasien139

Hello, S-Prihadi,
sorry it took me a while to answer, i had very busy weeks so couldn't work on the car.
today i lifted the car and took a photo of the rear springs color coding.

2 x RED/ 1 x GREEN
according to your photos, it matches: A 212 324 13 04 | 2 X RED/ 1 X GREEN
And you have in your car: A 212 324 04 04 | 1 X RED/ 1 X GREEN
is yours more comfy?
According to SSG ASIA there are 3 options i can choose according to my VIN Number.

first one is mine, second one is what you have. but the third one?
i know you said not to search on AutoDoc, but that is the closest website that "explains" the spring type with a description so i searched up all 3 options i have for my VIN and i got this:

Mine 13 04 (no description)

yours 04 04 (Sport chassis), but i want comfy, so i am confused

third option according to SSG ASIA 05 04 (standard chassis) is this what i should buy then? for original soft Mercedes suspension experience?

i'll wait for your advice on this.

now on to the Rear shock absorbers,
for the shock absorber i only got 1 option according to SSG ASIA and it matches what you send me, A 212 320 42 30
and yours is A 212 320 46 30.
so now i go to AutoDoc to read description,
Mine: A 212 320 42 30

its weird how your comfy absorbers and my sporty absorber part numbers are both on B6
and now your code: A 212 320 46 30

This has your code, and its Standard B4 for standard chassis, i need this one right?

so i guess, ill await your answer/advice on which i should buy. i am ready to buy, the car is already on the lift. just need you to guide me and i can order right away

Also, according to SSG ASIA i have many options for SHIM. We both have A 210 325 03 04 (Stud count 3 (13mm)
but there is also more according to SSG. ASIA
A 2103250184 (Stud count 1 (5mm)
A 2103250284 (stud count 2 (9mm)
A 2103250384 (stud count 3) (13mm) what we have
A 2103250484 (stud count 4) (17mm)

what are these? and should i then take the last one? i want to lift the car, so should i change mine (13mm) with 17mm?
ill await your advice on this. i am adding foto for reference

SHIMS options

this is all for rear springs and shock absorbers, will continue with your question about my wheels and front shocks and springs

Jasien139

Regarding your question about my wheel setup,
i had originally 19 inch AMG Rims with 275 rear and 245 front
i had originally 8,5j front and 9 rear.
due to the rims being bent due to holes in the street and i wanted comfy tires, i went to a local tire shop and they gave me 17 inch aftermarket (no brand, i think) rims with 205 tires. (8j). which i do not like, i wanted 8,5, but no problems.
after i'm done with the suspension i am going to buy original mercedes 17 inch rims. and yes, i have the large calipers exactly like in your foto, that means i have brembo aswell? i have the same rotor as yours. my current tire thickness are 45 or 50, can't remember, its night time right now and my car is parked outside. i will send fotos tomorrow.
even the tires arent good quality i think, it makes my car shake slightly at 30 kmh after so much balancing. its the maxtrek maximus m1 205, next time i should go for Michelin maybe

will continue with front shocks and springs

Jasien139

Quick reply 2
i took a look at your post, and:
front B4 #22-194091
rear B4 #24-194112
so if i look back at my Autodoc screenshots i send you,
i already send the rear one and it was correct, so, i definetly should buy that then
anyhow, now working on front shocks sending text soon
EDIT: You didnt mention, spring part numbers of bilstein tho

Jasien139

so, i didnt look at the color coding of my springs in the front, but i will take a look in the morning.
but if the rear what you send me matched then the front should too.
according to you, i have A 212 321 14 04 1 X GREEN / 1 X BROWN
lets go to SSG ASIA

i got 8 options :O
and you have the same springs? the one i have? but is it comfy tho? keep in mind, i want to lift my car a little bit up so ill hear your advice on this.
anyhow lets go to Autodoc, well im not getting anything on autodoc, they dont have these front springs in stock
they only have for 05 04 and 02 04
i am very confused, what should i buy, what should i choose?

i just saw your screenshots where you posted alll the options i can have, but how do i know if it will fit? how do i know if thats the one i need?
ill await your advice on this spring issue.
now on to the front absorbers,
i have A 212 323 4900 on autodoc that gives me B8
but if i need to buy the same absorbers that you have, that would be A 212 323 6800
let me search on autodoc,

it comes up as standard one

Jasien139

so far so, absorbers are easy i guess,
according to your photos and advice for front i can go B4 #22-194091 and for rear B4 #24-194112
according to Autodoc both are standard chassis, so that will be comfy.
and its exactly the ones you bought!
but for me what is confusing is the springs
its too late now, ill head to bed and see your answers/advice tomorrow.

cheers

Jasien139

for rear springs you gave me 3 options with 485 code
A 212 324 12 04 AUTODOC : FOR CARS WITH COMFORT SUSPENSION
A 212 324 01 04 autodoc does not have this
A 212 324 02 04 autodoc: FOR STANDARD CHASSIS

so is it official then? should i go for A 212 324 12 04? that is BILSTEIN 36-277155. if you could take a look if it is correct.
but if the spring is too soft, wont my car sit lower? im trying to raise it aswell. is here where the shims i asked about earlier comes in play?

now i only need to figure out the front springs i guess

Jasien139

front springs you gave me many options, but autodoc has only for 2 codes
A 212 321 02 04 and 03 04 but description says ( for comfort suspension, for manual transmission)

other option
A 212 321 04 04 (For comfort suspension, automatic transmission) Bilstein 37-279868
i think i should go for this one for front springs?

now im really done, ill await your answer and advice. i am very sorry for writing so much texts but i am really confused and lost right now.

S-Prihadi

Your questions :

2 x RED/ 1 x GREEN
according to your photos, it matches: A 212 324 13 04 | 2 X RED/ 1 X GREEN
And you have in your car: A 212 324 04 04 | 1 X RED/ 1 X GREEN
is yours more comfy?

I can’t answer this one …LOL, since I never tried your 2-Red 1-Green spring.
These two springs can be for 486 yours and can be for my 677, according to my EPC.
What we need is to follow member Dingo successful conversion to 485 comfort.
3 options you can choose. I suggest choose 1 RED A2123240104

Use your original TOP shim #90, but do get a new BOTTOM shim #120 p/n A2043240184 as this one gets rubbed hard by the spring.



.

Front Spring. Again we go for 485 Comfort.
Honestly I don't even know which one to recommend since there are so many code 485 comfort.
My suggestion is look for used W212 mercedes on the market in the online advertising, with standard comfy suspension and we use its VIN number to see what spring P/N it has.





For dampers front and back, it is simple. Get Bilstein B4.
Front B4 #22-194091
Rear B4 #24-194112


New rim, 17" x 8.5J Comfy tire like Michelin Primacy 4 with suitable aspect ratio.
This one you have to be careful because your brake caliper is as big as mine. Do not buy online, go to the shop and try fitting the new rim without tyre and spin the rim , front one.
Good news that your current emergency 17" wheel does not "kiss" the front brake caliper and can accommodate the brake disk rotor, that means the fingers/spoke design is projected outwards.
If your new rim kiss the brake caliper, you can go for the one with offset ( ET ) 42. Our W212 uses ET48 for the front. ET42 means the rim projects out of the fender more by 6mm over ET48.

.



.




You get 12mm more side wall height, a bit more comfy.


.

S-Prihadi

Oops, sorry I miss this post when I was replying.
A 212 324 12 04 AUTODOC : FOR CARS WITH COMFORT SUSPENSION
Good to know

S-Prihadi

I also missed this post.
A 212 321 04 04 (For comfort suspension, automatic transmission) Bilstein 37-279868
Sounds good

Jasien139

So, i looked at the screenshots you send me, your past posts, and your advice.
and i think i should go for these,

FRONT SHOCKS I'll go with the ones you have A 212 323 6800 that gives me this, just like the one you have.

B4 #22-194091

FRONT SPRINGS according to your screenshots and Autodoc's description (Comfort suspension auto transmission) and inventory, i'll go with code A 212 321 04 04 ( 4 X BLUE) that gives me

BILSTEIN 37-279868 comfort suspension according to your screenshot 4 X BLUE

REAR SHOCKS i'll go with the same one you have, that is A 212 320 46 30, that gives me the same one you have, B4 Standard chassis

B4 #24-194112 the same one you have

REAR SPRINGS with help from your screenshots and advice, i decided to go with A 212 324 12 04 (1X RED/1XWHITE) that gives me this

BILSTEIN 36-277155 comfort suspension

so in short,
FRONT SHOCKS A 212 323 68 00 | B4 #22-194091 | same as yours | Standard B4
REAR SHOCKS A 212 320 46 30 | B4 #24-194112 | same as yours | standard B4

FRONT SPRINGS A 212 321 04 04 | 4 X BLUE | BILSTEIN 37-279868 | Comfort suspension
REAR SPRINGS A 212 324 12 04 | 1 X RED/ 1 X WHITE | BILSTEIN 36-277155 | Comfort suspension
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- is this combination good? please if you could check for me?

you also said to replace the rear Bottom shim
according to SSG ASIA that is A 204 324 01 84, but this is not on autodoc. ill have to order this somewhere else.

Also you said to use the original top shim, but incase i fitted everything and the car is not lifted enough to my liking, can i buy the 17 mm one? (we have 13mm right now), or that is not how it works?

my rear subframe has rusted out aswell, ill have to replace that too, i found a website called eurosubframes, they have it, maybe ill order it from there.
lets finish the suspension and then well go to tires.

S-Prihadi

TOP shim I think its function is to maintain certain ride height as it is like a pre-tension component.
If in a Coil-Over it is like the adjustable bottom side to raise the spring and hence ride height.

If say you go for 17mm one ( now 13mm one ), it may raise the car 4mm more...I am guessing.
Standard W212 has taller ground clearance at the rear than front one.

Jasien139

I see, ill take a look when all the new components are installed. Could you take a look at the combination and maybe confirm if thats a good one? As soon as i got your confirmation ill start ordering

S-Prihadi

Yes, all 4 items are good to go.

I am surprised that now Bilstein have springs for W212 to that level of collection. Good info.
I have its old 2018 catalog/product-sheet and the springs are not in the list.

Left Coast Geek

on older Mercedes, in the parts catalog pages for the springs there were these tables with points per model and option, separate sets of numbers for front and rear... you added these up for your base car plus options, and then there was a table that matched points to spacers and gave you a shim number, goal was so the car road at the 'right' height as delivered. This was W124 and similar generation, I assume the W212 has something similar, but I'm not in the mood to try and get into the parts catalog and see. The 124's also had a 'rough road' option in the world market (higher ride, taller springs, softer longer shocks), then normal, and 'sportmatic'. Their shocks were all made by Sachs Boge back in the mid 80s to mid 90s.

S-Prihadi

Jas,

Simply for exercise of the mind...... read this first :
https://www.acxesspring.com/spring-s...alculator.html
https://www.thespringstore.com/coil-...-diameter.html This diameter is not the metal thickness, it is the coiling diameter.

In Autodoc, SACHS brand will give spring specification, so you can do some visual estimate of its size/thickness.


CHOOSEN ONE A2123210404 ( 4 X BLUE) - Front . Length [mm]: 440 , Diameter [mm]: 165, 12.75. as per SACHS

INSTALLED A2123211404 1-green, 1-brown - Installed. Front. Length [mm]: 394 , Diameter [mm]:155, 13. as per SACHS
This is used in 677-Standard and also in 486-Sport

Other 485 front spring
A2123210104 1-blue. Length [mm]: 443, Diameter [mm]: 162, 12.25

A2123210204 2-blue and A2123210304 3-blue. Length [mm]: 443 , Diameter [mm]: 164, 12.5

A2123212804 1-blue, 3-yellow . Length [mm]: 423 , Diameter [mm]: 167, 13.25


You can check this on your own and also the rear ones : My eyes are tired

Other front 485 comfort
A2123214004 2-blue, 2-yellow
A2123210504 1-blue, 1-yellow
A2123210604 1-blue, 2-yellow
A2123212804 1-blue, 3-yellow


...