KYB = Keep Your Bilsteins
 

Since day one, Lilly (the 84 300D) hasn't handled anywhere near as well as my wagon. Early on in her life with us, cornering felt like she wanted to swap ends, particularly on curving bridges with evenly spaced expansion seams. You got the distinct impression that if you went too fast, she'd buck you over the side!! I wonders if I'd gone wrong...

Thinking that shocks HAD to be the problem, when I was still a noob ('03), I replaced all the shocks. I did new KYBs...thinking that $95/ea for Bilstein shocks was a bit over the top. It was an improvement but I still wasn't there. digging further, I discovered the righteousness of new subframe bushings. Man, what a difference that made but, I still wasn't completely satisfied with her handling...after all, it is a Benz! They have a reputation of being 'bahn-stormers! Taking an undulating curve at anything approaching highway speeds was STILL a hit or miss proposition.

Definitely not acceptable.

Fast-forward to a couple of weeks ago....I was working up an order of parts for the never-ending SDL rehab and decided also to splurge on a pair of Bilstein heavy-dutys for the back of Lilly. They arrived, and sat in the corner of the shop, staring at me, daring me to try them out...

So, I took a day off from farm stuff today to pull some much needed service on Lilly, including installing that pair of Bilsteins and, all I can say is:

OMG, what a difference those shocks make!

Lilly is a totally different car now: she feels nimble as a cat. You can literally 'pitch' her into corners and steer without fear of her ass-end gerrymandering around to bite you on the face. I came back from my test ride with a grin a mile wide....THIS is what driving a Mercedes-Benz™ is all about.

My recommendation for you who have KYBs? Use them for door stops because, believe me, that's ALL they're good for.

Cool story and advice Someday I may look to renovate my suspension...

I agree
 

I replaced the shocks on my 201 after 160K miles, thinking they had to be due. I went for some new jap branded ones, and really regretted it: they were worse than the ancient Bilsteins.

Have been telling customers for years...Bilstiens are for your Porsche...Mercedes
etc. KYB's are for short term ie..6 months or less........ no comparison....

However.....I fitted a set of Monroe Sensatrac shocks..to a 1986 Jaguar.....these worked very well and have progressive action.... restored the Jag handling too...going to try them on a Mercedes but was told nothing made to fit in Sensatrac.

Now, if you want real race tight handling...try a set of Koni's....turned up to your driving style.


.

I still like my Bilstien sports after about 4 years and 100K+ miles (except on rough roads).

Yelp they will put a smile on your face.

KYB does swell job on many Japanese cars and also in competition,I have used Tockico on Benz as well as my Golf GTi with superb result and life,so I wonder what went wrong with the KYB installs in the abovementioned cars.

There's no substitute for Bilsteins. Period.

When you say subframe bushings, you mean the rear subframe bushings?

My car handles very well, but taking highway curves at 70-80MPH makes me nervous. I wonder if I can solve that...

they will probably make a difference. i would also check the sway bar bushings and links. when i finally get the money i plan to do everything on the rear end. subframe bushings,diff. mount,shocks,springs,trailing arm bushings,sway bar links,swaybar bushings,and hub bearings

I don't know guys, but the KYBs on my car are doing pretty well. They ride superbly, handle securely, etc. I can go over speed bumps @ 40 mph and not even feel them, and the car tracks wonderfully around corners. Ride height is good, no rear sag. So I must have a good set eh? They were free so what am I gonna do.
Yup I'm keeping the KYBs, but when it comes time to replace, I'm getting the Bilstiens. Perhaps then I will understand what you're all talking about when you say they are so much better. For now the KYBs work as they should.

I have no clue what's on my 240D. I just know it's a leaps and bounds improvement over the TD's ride. I just need to find some stiffer rear springs before the camber caused by the 18 gallon extra tank takes out the inside tread ring of my tires.

Now, talk me out of this. I'm thinking of air shocks (Shocks with air bags built in) on the rear to adjust for the extra fuel load.

I'd prefer separate bags, if it were possible to retrofit something for another application. I'm also seriousely considering an extra fuel load for my car.

forget
 

about air springs or air bags. use a spring spacer instead. cheaper and will work.

my dad did air bags in his volvo to assist with the weight of a small travel trailer. the mass of the bags in the spring bound them up and it rode like s__t even with no air in them.

my $.02.

tom w

Yes, the round ones on each side, under the rear doors.