Shock Absorber Recommendation for '82 240D (W123)?
 

I have a 1982 240D that I would like to replace all 4 shock absorbers. I am interested in replacing them with Bilstein shocks and there seems to be Heavy Duty or Comfort-Heavy Duty. What is the difference between the various Bilstein shocks?

Also, does the 240D have self-leveling suspension? Any other brands that you would recommend to replace the shocks? Thanks for your help.

No SLS on a 240. Bilstein comfort shocks will do you just fine. Heavy duty will give you a stiffer ride. You can go with cheaper shocks if you don't want to spend a lot of money but Bisteisn are the best for the W123. Meyle and Sachs make a nice shock for the 123 also, a bit less expensive than the Bilsteins.

Agreed.

I have HD's on my 300D, I love them, not too harsh, not too soft.

A PO had installed very-stiff KYB front shocks on my '82 240D. I replaced them with a pair of Bilsteins a friend got for his 300D but never used.
I believe they were 'Comforts' though it didn't specifically say that on the boxes.
Still have old (possibly original) shocks on the rear.
With properly-inflated Michelin-X tires, the ride is perfect on that car. Not too soft or stiff.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Thanks for the recommendations. What do you think about Sachs-Boge brand? It seems that the Bilstein comfort-heavy duty costs less then the Heavy Duty? Do you still recommend comfort-heavy duty versus the heavy duty for a 240D?

Any recommendations on where to purchase them on the internet? Thanks.

Man, those KYBs will rattle your teeth out, won't they? First time I encountered a car with those I thought the suspension was locked up.

The KYB gas-shocks I put on my Isuzu pickup years ago were OK (factory shocks were non-gas KYBs)
But a friend had me install KYBs on his '87 300SE, 'cause he didn't want to pay for Bilsteins. It rode like a truck but he liked 'em. He thought they were more 'sporty'!
At least with my old Mercedes, I'd rather have a good set of used Bilsteins, than new KYBs. When I was much younger, and poorer, I needed to replace the noisy rear shocks on my Fintail 230. Couldn't afford new Bilsteins, but a pair of used ones from a local import salvage-yard worked out just fine.

When I got my 240D, it had oversize, underinflated, dry-rotted Firestones and the car rode soft and handled likewise. A set of Michelin X tires improved the handling, but revealed the trucklike front KYBs. The new pair of Bilsteins cured that.

Sachs or Boge might make an acceptable alternative but I don't know who sells them, or if they're availible for some older cars. I put Boges on an old Audi wagon I had many years ago. A decent shock for that car, but when one failed a few years later, the were NLA for that car.

Happy Motoring, Mark

I bought my Sach's shocks from a certain german sounding auto house in arizona. Cheaper than Bilsteins and they're doing quite well now so now qualms here.

Sounds like I will go with the Bilsteins to replace all 4 shocks. Which ones would you recommend - comfort-heavy duty OR heavy duty?

Any recommendations on where to purchase them on-line? Thanks.