What shocks?
 

It's time for shocks on my 85 300SD. I'm thinking about Bilstein HD. Is this a good choice? Is there a better choice? Car is daily driver 50% city, 50% hwy. Also considering springs since they are original & the odometer stopped at 204,000 mi. Comments? Are there other things that should be done at the same time?

Bilsteins, either HD or Comfort are good choices. The consensus around here is that the KYBs aren't good. Keep Your Bilsteins.

Agree.

do springs really wear out or sag much, for a passenger car, even over 300k miles?

JMH

Yes, they do sag over time. The back of mt 240D looks like it is lowered, but it has the stock springs and 3 nub pads.

stock ride height?
 

Anyone know what the stock ride height is? On some cars, it's measured from the ground to the center of the bumper. I'll look again but don't remember it in the FSM.

With mercedes cars the stock spring height is always listed somewhere and the place to measure it. Good place to start. Ocassionally new springs really make a diference. The geometry of the rear end on these independant rear axel cars is dependant more so than a straight axel car.

The front hood line should be the same height as the rear trunk line. I have specs at work.

The car does sit level but has too much roll around corners. I looked in the manual again & didn't see height listed. I'd appreciate someone posting if they find it before me. Winmutt, Did you do anything else to your suspension when you dropped it? Do you have any bump steer? Comments on your spring set up? Also, in searching, I found reference to subframe bushings wearing out & being a very likely needed repair.

Don't expect sportscar-like handling. If you haven't replaced all of the sway bar bushings, front and rear, that will allow alot of body roll. You may also be able to upgrade the rear sway bar to one from a TD or other model- not sure if they are the same on 126's.

What could you do to stiffen up the handling alot more? alot more?

The 78 Datsun Z with installed all new suspension & planned turbo transplant (engine on shop floor) is the play car. The MBZ is the road car. Just trying to bring it back to specs. Bilstein HP & brakes it is. Then other stuff when time permits.

Oh ah the front and back being the same is for w123 not sure on w126. My data is for W123 only. I do have a W126 17mm sway bar for sale for dirt cheap.

Magoo: there is no reason not to expect sports car handling with a good amount of work. The sway bar on the TD is *not* an upgrade for the W123.

I was under the impression that the TD rear sway bar was larger diameter than that on a D, and therefore stiffer?

Install Koni Sport shocks.

Scott

Nope. Just has a flat bit where the SLS hooks up. Don't believe me? I have a NIB with tags TD bar I'll sell you for half of what I paid.

There are no new OEM 15mm sway bars left in the world.

Bilsteins IMO.