Spring pads are cheap, SLS parts are expensive.

The fluid is designed to be under some pressure to raise the boiling point of the fluid just like regular gas-shocks, thus it is logical that there would be some weight borne by the SLS system. However, the rubber pads will lose resilience as well as shape over time, even if the car only has 70,000miles, it is logical that the ride height will drop over time. The more pressure on the SLS system the more stress and the earlier the failure.

Another example is the non-SLS sedans. Both of my '87 300D sedans drooped in the rear, needed new spring pads or springs. Typical of other bodies as well. One can easily deduce that the same would be true of the wagon with a heavier rear on the same material pads, and thus a new set would be prudent.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff