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.