Been doing some research on shocks and I think I want Bilstein HD's in the front and comforts in the rear. Who here has done this with their 123? Im pretty sure I have the original shocks in my car, so I am sure anything would be better than my current situation. I do mainly highway driving with about 30 minutes of city driving a day, roads are pretty good here. I do not want a harsh ride however, and that is why I am thinking I should go with comforts in the rear. Any feedback is appreciated!

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1985 300D (CA, 173K)

Dynamite Biodiesel Co-op, Phoenix,AZ

Just curious...what are your reasons for wanting HD's in the front? When I was looking into the issue several years ago for my 92 300D, I remember getting the impression that HD's are just too stiff for most people's tastes. So I went with comforts all the way around. Comfortable enough, but not at all loose or "squishy."

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14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

My 81 has blistens and it rides like a truck... so I'm guessing it's the HD version.

Basically, the reasoning is that the engine has the most weight. So, it will compress the front shocks more. The rear end doesn't have as much weight, so lighter shocks. I have a 240D, and I did replace my shocks last year. I was going that route, but I can't remember if I did. I do like how my 240D drives now. The replaced shock, let the front nose dive, especially on the inside corner wheel. I'll try and check for what shocks I bought. I do know they are comforts in the rear, though. Now my other shocks were fairly old, at least in the front.
I also bought new tires shortly there after. They made a huge difference too. I do need to replace the front ball joints too. Still, I like how the car handles presently. I would say, that since yours in a 5 cyl, you'd have more weight up front , than I do.
I would also say, this is the opposite of a pick up truck. With out a load, the rear really bounces around on most of them. They are designed, or at least were, to haul stuff. I mean something other than air.
Tom

The HD's are pretty hard, but let you drive the car like a crazy person.

I have the HD's on my SD and like it......and put the normal touring shocks on my 300E....it rides very nice. My brother's 300D has new Sachs touring shocks....it also rides really nice.

On a decent highway there's not much difference. The HD's can prevent "wallowing" on wavy roads....which can make people sick.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I'd think the massive front springs account for the additional weight of the engine up front...
I'd choose the shocks based on how I want the car to respond to road conditions.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Yes, but they need shocks to match the spring rates. I think that is what the OP is asking, what have people tried and what are their opions on specifically, HD shocks on the front and comforts on the rear. I do agree with your point, that it really depends on personal preference, roads to be driven and driving style.
Tom

Although the engine is in the front, you will find that the front weight bias is only a few percent, and the shocks are already designed to accomodate the amount of weight on each axle.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I have installed the Bilstein HD's on three w123s now and have thoroughly enjoyed them. Whether real or perceived, I feel they have helped to tighten up other looseness inherent in an old car with loads of miles. I do like a firm ride yet have never experienced anywhere near a truck-like ride with them.

Phil

1982 240d manual w/ 365,000
1984 300d auto w/ 125,000

I second HD all the way around. If ANYTHING put HD in the rear and comforts upfront.

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1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

This is likely chassis-specific. The 123 is a soft riding car with a fair amount of body roll, I can see why the HDs are preferred by many. On the 124 which had the stiffest chassis in the industry, I feel that a properly maintained suspension and comforts is firm enough.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I have HD's in the front, original SLS in the rear. After doing a manual swap the car had major roll changing lanes on the freeway. I'm not sure if it was the lighter weight and some old monroe shocks or what happened... I installed a set of HD's and it drives a heck of a lot better. Yes they do let you feel some bumps in the road but for me it improved driving like night and day.

I would still like to put some H & R springs in to lower it back to around stock levels but haven't done that yet. I saw some progressive rate springs that look real nice, very $ though.

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1983 300TD - 202k with 5 speed Getrag conversion

Yep. Exactly. W126 with HD's is pretty firm though......W123 feels good with comforts, but its not very sporty.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

ive had HDs on all my cars..i dont have them in my mb yet. i notice that the ride quality depends on the springs u use..if you have a stock suspension the ride wasnt harsh at all but felt more dampened..very close to stockish. . ..only when i put in lowering springs is when the ride quality went downhill.

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1993 e300
1995 e320
1994 e320
2006 s500 4matic
2004 Jeep wj overland
2001 Ducati 748
2004 Honda shadow aero

HD's all around it is then, do I need to order anything but the shocks? Bushings, bolts, etc?

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1985 300D (CA, 173K)

Dynamite Biodiesel Co-op, Phoenix,AZ