e500slr

Hey guys,

I wanna do an overhaul on my W212 E63s suspension, it's RWD M156 model.

I've been pricing up control arm kit and bushings and what not at FCPEuro.

I'm concerned about the shock absorbers and struts though. OEM is really really expensive and no one seems to make aftermarket equivalent.

The struts all have an electronic connector. What do these do exactly, are they active shocks? It would seem so considering the suspension button inside. Can they be rebuilt?

The thing is, I'm not sure mine are "bad" per se but obviously thing deteriorate over time. The question is, would they be no different to brand new IF THEY'RE NOT LEAKING? Don't they all eventually technically leak? The car has 85000 miles on it.

I just wanna refurbish it to give it a tighter feel and more refined ride. The stuff at FCPEuro isn't too badly priced and to be honest if I'm not selling it I'm gonna have to do alot of this anyway.

What do you guys think?

What else would you do to try to get it to feel new again?

allenjdmb

Were junk when new, and cannot be better now. But to my knowledge, no alternative. I would have already changed them.
Wonder if an OE E550 strut would improve the situation?

e500slr

Wait why are they junk? The car handles pretty good stock brand new. I know because I had an E63 S with only 5000 miles on it which I bought to sell for profit and it was tight and felt great.

I like the adjustability. It might not be like a GT3 RS but I'd hardly call it junk....

allenjdmb

The car is ridiculously overdamped and oversprung for America. They (the factory) simply do not understand the condition of our roads. The car lacks "compliance", that is, it is so stiff that it's unpleasant on all but the best roads.
Oh, and the best part? They are made by Monroe, a second tier American product. Really, a car that cost $100k can't come with Bilsteins, or at least, a good Sachs setup? THat should tell you how much cheaper the Monroe's are than the others, when they are right there in Germany. Used to be that MB had enough pride to use those quality German vendors. Not anymore. Just about saving the $$$.

allenjdmb

I agree, the adjustability is nice...but it starts at too stiff and goes to insanely stiff. And why come they couldn't put the lift button in the front to keep from knocking off the nose on driveways, etc. ?
This will be my last MB without ABC. I have it on my w213 wagon, and the adjustability with the outboard dongle is great. Low for profiling, high for driveways and other ugly situations.

e500slr

I think it's because the fronts are springs, they would have to have a nose lift like KW have that is not part of the suspension itself. It's Airmatic rear, springs front.

You're right it is stiff and stiffer and stiffest. I guess they're trying to make it sporty.

You're right they should have been Bilstein or KW or even Ohlins.

allenjdmb

It could just have a raise position. The front shocks, as well as the springs, have adjustability. This is all cost savings on the E class cars. All US cars, with the exception of the E250, have ABC as standard now.

cgrizzly888

Did you ever find an aftermarket strut/shock alternative for our cars? Are you sure the front struts are electronic? I think the part # is 218-323-20-00.

allenjdmb

you find something from Bilstein that works....but I don't think that exists.
I still wonder if the front strut assy from and E550 would fit/work? You've gotta think it's less stiff than these ridiculous ones...

cgrizzly888

Advanced Auto shows a Bilstein B8 strut that is "compatible" with the e63 but I think it's an error.

allenjdmb

Agree....

uberwag

Chiming in and repinging this as well - getting to the point that I think I need to take care of my front suspension, and hate the look of the $2k for stock struts. Has anyone found options, either electronically adjustable or not, for the front suspension on the pre-facelift W212?