Doesn't matter how Bilsteins look. How they perform is well known. :)
I simply can't accurately comment on Gabriels having never had them.

I can't say the ones I took off were Bilsteins, but the Gabriel shocks ride great and they seem to provide a more heavy duty suspension feel. I could find markings or brand names of any kind on the ones I took off!:rolleyes:

I have tried gabriels recently on the wifes pt. They didn't even last a year. Total crap. I found bilsteins and put them on...a huge difference.

I have tried kybs too. They lasted about a year on my saab and failed totally ....lost their gas and it was just like having no shock at all...very dangerous.

The bilsteins are great.

Konis are great too. I have some on the rear of my old 280e autocrosser. I sent them in and they rebuilt them for me free of charge.....great stuff...reds.

Tom W

anyone?

If your talking about the shock bumper, a rubber sleeve that came off the old shocks, I'd put it back on if there is no metal tower boot where the rubber tower boot was.:D

I am wondering ...
 

I was thinking about replacing the shocks on my 1991 300d, 118k. When I go over small bumps, manhole sewer covers, or even those small 4" high x 4" wide speed-alert bumps, you feel it all. I'd prefer a smoother ride. Do your shocks help going over small things?

jeff

Oh hell yes! It feels like a brand new car! I would also take a look at any rubber suspension bushings you have under there since these will greatly affect your ride here too.;)

it was under the dust boot. i swapped the dust boot, but not the red rubber thingy. is the red rubber thingy the bump stop? is there no internal bump stop on the bils?

I have the Bilstein comfort's - these back country roads where I live are just torn up. Great shocks.

The new shocks will probably not isolate you better from the road, more likely the new shocks will transmit the same or slightly more high-frequency than worn-out OE ones.

What tires are you running? The tires are the best first-defense against high-frequency / small bumps. Crap tires like the Goodyear tires the PO put on my blue 124 will ride like a corvette/pick-up-truck, good tires like mid-line or better Michelins or Pirelli will absorb some of this shock without giving up handling.

Much like the technology of suspensions, aka the GM syndrome, it is cheapest and easiest to improve perceived handling by making the suspension / tires harder. Cheap tires make a car feel like a cheap car, good tires will likely bring it back.

As far as KYBs, ... I have a set of KYBs on my blue car, they ride a little harsh for me, but handle like the car did new. I wouldn't have installed them, the PO put them on just before I bought it, 35,000miles ago now. I have a new set of Koni external adjustable (red), have been delaying installing them because I'm afraid the car will ride worse.

I don't know how KYB shocks affect the 123 chassis, or the 126, both are entirely different from the stiffer (highest chassis resonance in the industry) 124 chassis. Many shock mfgrs use as many off-the-shelf parts as possible in their shocks, might be that the parts used for the 123 KYB shock are inadequate. For the 124, I think they ride harsh, but are otherwise acceptable. Personally I'd spend the small difference for Bilstein or Koni just as I'll pay the extra for good Michelins.

That's correct, there is no bump stop on the Bilsteins if they are like factory shocks and if you had to reuse the rubber boot, then it sounds like they are. The Gabriel shocks have thier own boot and dust seal.;)

I just put on the Gabreil shocks Saturday and I like the stiffer ride compared to the sponge like and body roll ride I had before. For now I'am happy. 4 shocks 82.00 out the door. It worked for me

Yeah, I couldn't pass on the price either, especially since I'm on layoff for awhile. The Gabriels do feel stiffer in the corners and make me want to speed through them!:D Do Mercedes Benz's come equipped with Bilsteins?

Yes and sometimes boges.

The gabs or kyb will work fine for a while but will not last a hundred thou miles like a bilstein, maybe thirty or forty max.

Tom W

Where are you all getting these for $82 for 4 of them? I am in a desperate need of shocks. It feels like the rear is bottoming out going over the smallest bumps.