Hello all,

Basically, I put brand new shocks Bilstein Comforts when I purchased my car about 20K miles ago. I just recently lowered my car (thema springs, maybe yall have never heard, but they were from Germany and cheaper so I purchased these). I also have installed 17x8s on 245/45ZW17s (like my car could do 168, LOL).

Now I definitely have a SMOOTH riding car, and this is a major plus to me. But I have a GIANT problem. I am literally missing patches of rubber from the front tires from rubbing when going over bumps and this NEEDS to be addressed. It seems to me, unfortunately or not, that I will need to put firmer shocks.

I see there are Bilsten HD and Konis but not so sure which will be best. I really am not interested in a rice rocket ride (I've ridden in those that over any bump I hit my head on the roof -- not cool!) but I really need to get this tire rubbing in check before it causes a blowout -- not to mention damaging my tires each time they rub!

Mainly the rubbing occurs over big bumps or undulations, but it gets really bad when I push my car harder. For instance in turns, rather than going faster as theoretically I could with a lowered car, I need to slow WAY down or there is a horrifying SCRAPE and there goes some more tire. Also on the freeway, I can go 60 MPH almost no problems (maybe 1 rub per short trip) but if I increase to 80+ where I usually like to drive, the rubbing is MUCH worse!!! I can't imagine if a pack a few passengers inside...

My car is REALLY not that lowered, it's just it used to be so RAISED, so compared to how it was it is much improved, but it is not SLAMMED. There is a good finger, possibly 2 finger, gap in the front.

Could you please give me some recommendations re: shocks? I know many listers have big-rimmed and lowered cars, so I am hoping there is a decent audience for this question.

Also are the Koni adjustables really adjustable with a knob or the like while on the vehicle? I see this on their site but I thought I read somewhere that perhaps this was NOT the case.


Thank you all.


Larry Ferguson
86 MBZ 300SDL 163K mi