I bought a pair of KYB, is not as bad as u folks think.
I also noticed the ride height went up a little bit, never measured so cannot tell. These are gas shock.
I does make a great difference.
Travelling on the hwy at 60 MPH, if hit pot holes, bump the car will change direction in rear wheel, also bottom out easy.
After I had it changed it doesn't change direction, tracks better.
Probably need to change to front too.

I paid about Can$100 a pair. Bought from www.hopefungautoparts.com

The cheapest price I found.

I wonder why people say KYB's are so bad. I installed a set on a '75 230 (115 chassis) and after getting used to the bouce they have (they don't call them Keep You Bouncin' for nuthin!) I sorta liked them. Until I noticed they were leaking oil, less than 3 years later. I won't recommend them anymore for that reason, but they actually feel sporty and if its not a car you plan on keeping a long time maybe worth the savings, unless those $50 Bilsteins that someone said Adsit is selling are legit, if I had been offered Bilsteins at that price years back I would have snatched them up!

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

I also got my shocks from Adsitco about 4 months ago. They were by far the cheapest price I found and the shocks were in new, excellent condition boxes. I saw no indication they were anything other than a great price on the best shock.

I'm not sure I would buy anything else from them, but their prices on Bilsteins made my decision to replace my 4 completely different and worn shocks (one 3 year old KYB, one old rusted away KYB, one original Boge and one replacement Boge) an easy call.

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'85 300D 276,000 mi

I replaced the my original shocks last fall with Bilstein comforts. I still think it was some of the best money I spent on my car, the ride is so much better.

The old shocks didn't really let the car bounce much even though they were all badly leaking. They just rode poorly and didn't smooth out bumps like they should have.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Sorin,
Take a look at the Mercedes Source website. They seem to have a very good price on pairs. I shopped around locally and I could not beat their price. I bought four of the HD Bilsteins for my '85 300D-T.
Chris

I just rebuilt my entire front end (tie rods, ball joints, steering damper, shocks, springs, yada, yada, yada) on my '87 300td & she is sooooo smooooth.

I choose the sport Bilstien vs soft Bilstien. (Rusty's)

I don't care what any of you old timers say, a spring that's dang near 20 yrs old is sprung! No two ways about it. Perform all the wacko test you want, I'll stick with common sense.

Also, I never seen more tight wads like the DIYers on this forum. Yeah, the parts are expensive on a relative basis but think of the coin your saving in labor. Treat yourself & the car, both will be the better for it.

I had the 19 year old springs from the SDL sent to Coil Spring Specialties for a measurement of spring rate.

The factory spring rate for this spring was 344 lb./in.

The spring rate as measured on the 19 year old spring was 344 lb./in.

So, after 19 years of abuse, the rate of the spring is unchanged.

However,

The load height is decreased by 1/4". This would reduce the height at the fenderwells by about 5/8".

So, there is nothing wrong with the old spring in terms of doing it's job. The problem is simply that it is a bit too short. If a suitable spacer is available for the top of the spring, you would be well advised to use it and restore the ride height with it, rather then spending the money on new springs.

But, what do I know; I'm just an old time engineer.

Dude you really must be new around here. Me cheap?

Actually their are a lot of members on this site with tens of thousands into their cars.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I rebuilt my rear end with new springs, shocks differential mount and subframe bushings.

I went with BOGE shocks which are an O.E. supplier to Mercedes Benz.
I am please with the ride and feel of the BOGE. They were much, much less in $$$.

Just a suggestion. Has anyone else tried them? I am sure Bilsteins may be better. I would not doubt it, but my car rides better and it had the originals under there.

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1982 300SD Light Blue
2002 Honda Accord SE
1974 Toro Wheel Horse Tractor
2000 Toyota Tundra Pickup

They are OK
I went with Boge's but after riding in a Benz with HD Bilstiens, I changed them. Sold the Bogies on Ebay but the pocket book felt the pain. At least for me I should have went with the Bilstiens to start.

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Ron
2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
2011 Porsche Cayman - Bond,James Bond
Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
84 300SD, Benjamin -SOLD
71 220 - W115-Libby ( my first love) -SOLD
73 280 - W114 "Organspende" Rest in Peace
81 380 SL - Rest in Peace

I bought my '92 300D with 200k miles 18 months ago with all records (dealer serviced) and shocks had never been replaced. One was leaking, front mounts were cracked but "bounce test" showed only 1 rebound. I heard about how long Bilsteins last etc. Ride was ok, or so I thought, but had nothing to compare to. Replaced all 4 with Bilsteins and was a night and day difference. Well worth the cost. Front mounts were shot as well. On another topic, this car was serviced "by the book" but if the book did not say "replace" it was not done by this dealer. Both rad hoses were original and upper was about to fail when I got it. Radiator had even been replaced due to leak at neck. You would think a good service dept would advise owners of impending things like that. Needless to say, I don't use the dealer service.

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BillS

and was not too impressed. on my benzes i use only bilsteins.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I put 4 sport bilsteins on my 300d after it scared me by coming semi-unglued (with worn shocks) in a corner at the crest of a hill about 100K ago . I don't think I would use anything else. Some folks may prefer the soft bilsteins for the ride, but I like them a little stiffer.

or softer, i cant seem to tell much difference. i have used both and been happy with them.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

billies....def. go with billies

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Rob M
Norwich, VT USA
1980 240D Euro delivery 4 speed manual silver/blue
~160K miles