I'm going to be doing the suspension upgrade....finally....to my 95 wagon this summer. I'll be installing E500 springs all around, E500 rear swaybar, limo front swaybar, E500 struts up front (progressive rate dampening...early model #). The E500 rear struts don't physically bolt on because the lower control arm of the E500 was different from that of the wagon. However, several members who have done this or a similar upgrade have complained that the stock rear hydropmeumatic strut of the wagon may be a poor match for the new springs, as the stock strut dampening is not sufficient enough and leaves the car with a "pogo-stick" feeling in the rear.

My question....several of you own both wagon and E500 or are just familiar with the parts....

Can the E500 rear hydro strut be modified such that it can be bolted into the wagon. Examples....can a small adapter bracket be machined and used to get the E500 strut into the wagon. OR....can the control arm on the wagon be modified (adapter, or new mounting bracket welded on) to get this to work.....etc. i believe this can be done safely, if the geometry allows.

If I had the two parts sitting in front of me, I'd be able to answer the question myself.....but I don't. If anyone with a spare 500E rear strut would let me borrow one they are not using at the moment, I'd return it!

Another option is to source a 95 wagon sportline strut from Germany, but I'd rather not spend money unneccessarily (wait.....I did buy a Mercedes, didn't I?)

Thank you for your help!

Brian

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Brian
1995 E320 wagon