W126 OEM Shocks

[Mercedes Man]

I was checking out the rear shocks of my 84 300SD. The part number on them is 126 326 06 00, which is the number for the Bilstein comfort shocks. The 300SD model was primarily for the USA. Many in this forum would agree that USA drivers prefer to have softer rides than those in Europe. I would assume that Mercedes would have put comfort shocks on cars going to North America.

The manual also has a part number for a heavy duty shock. I think the heavy duty shock would be more appropriate for high speed driving than comfort shocks. Would the heavy duty shocks be found on Euro cars?

I find that there is a debate between comfort and HD. My opinion is that these cars need the HDs because:

1. The speed limits back in the 1980's were 55 mph.
2. The roads of today are in worse condition than they were in the past.
3. If is true that Euro cars have HDs in them, then these cars were designed to use HDs.
4. The W126 has too much body roll as many have complained about. Cars should stay level when making fast turns.
5. The diesel engine is heavier than the gas engine, so diesels need HDs shocks.
6. The W126 springs seem to be soft. Soft springs need stiff shocks.
7. W126s were not designed to give soft rides like a Cadillac. W126s are more performance oriented vehicles and give firmer rides for better control.
8. I think AMG would have put HD shocks on W126s.

To summarize what I found out about shocks on this forum:

KYB - Keep your Bilsteins (don't through them away because KYBs will keep you bouncing and you will want to put your Bilsteins back on)
Gabriel/Monroe - Some reported good results with Gabriel, but there are no reports on how well they have been working in the long run.
Koni - Good for Porsches but too firm for Mercedes.
Sach/Bogge - Like Bilstein but more expensive.

I would also like to say that tires, sway bar links, and seats make a big difference in "suspension."


Thanks.

[H-townbenzoboy]

Originally Posted by Mercedes Man

I was checking out the rear shocks of my 84 300SD. The part number on them is 126 326 06 00, which is the number for the Bilstein comfort shocks.

The EPC shows no such part number in the database. The EPC also shows one type of rear shock being used in the W126 across all markets. That means the SD got the same shocks from the factory that a Euro SE would get, which means that the W126's ride wasn't "detuned" for US buyers.

[tyl604]

There is a post from the last week or two by a fellow who installed two HD shocks on an SD because it already had two. Result was that the HD shocks raised the SD too far and it looked funny. It included a picture. Not sure this is the look you want.

[Mercedes Man]

From page 120 of section 32-120 of the manual, I found the rear shock part numbers. Actually, there are 3 shock numbers:

126 326 06 00 - 1 blue stripe
126 326 07 00 - 2 blue stripes
126 326 17 00 - 1 green stripe

I did not see the stripe on my shocks, but they are encrusted with dirt from being on the car since 1984.