Greetings! I plan to replace the original shocks on my '82 300D Turbo. Does anyone have recommendations (based on experience) for a set of reasonably priced shocks? Also, which which shocks are best suited for this car, heavy duty or comfort? Thanks for your help.

I just put HD Bilsteins on all four corners. Man what a difference! I've searched thru this discussion board on the shock subject & I believe the overwhelming opinion will be to get the Bilsteins. I paid $100 per shock installed. I was able to find 3 or so places including my local parts guy with a price for about $90 per shock. For an extra $40 I felt it worth the extra money to have my shop do the install. I have though seen someone since then who claims to have seen a part price in the $50ea range for Bilsteins. That might be worth looking into if you want to put them on yourself. By the way the Bilsteins carry a 2 year warranty. I don't think many others do any better that 1 year.

85 300d 231k

I thought the Bilsteins had a lifetime warranty. At least that was the claim when I put them on my car.

Most if not everyone seems to agree that the Bilsteins are the best. What is up for contention though is whether or not the HD's are better than the comforts. I changed all four shocks with Bilstein HD's on my car about a year ago and have been extrememly satisfied. They were very hard for a few weeks but then "softened" up a bit. I put that in quotation marks because they are still firm but I really like that feel. You probably can't lose with either one but if I had to do it again, I would still stick with the HD's. I did the work myself and it didn't take long at all.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

Thanks all.

I too plan to relace the shocks, but what about springs? I assume that after 180,000 they might need to be changed also. Anyone know?

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andy t
'78 300d
'95 volvo 850, wagon
'86 300sdl - engine out, maybe I'll have it rolling by June

whole bunch o' bicycles

Both Monroe and gabrial have shocks for the car.They may not be the best but on my 300td They have worked fine for years and they cost next to nothing.

Most people don't know this but manufacturers used to list springs average life at about 50,000 miles... Not only does sag effect the travel distance when hitting a bump but it changes the geometry of all the suspension and steering... You can bet that new springs, or properly re arched springs will be a delight on your old car... you heard of ' putting the bounce' back into one's step.... the same can be done for old cars... and it is not particularly expensive using the parts from this site,,, which are about half what I have seen them for elsewhere...Greg

I have often heard that new springs are sometimes not even as good as the ones that came in the car. I don't know all the facts but I assume if the springs are made by Mercedes, then they are probably ok but aftermarket...? I replaced the rear shocks on my 82 and plan in a couple of weeks to do the fronts. Bilsteins are only $65 a peice at Star Parts in Los Angeles. I don't know if they are "comfort" or HD. At the time I just asked for shocks given the year and model so I will have to ask next time. I don't do any slalom course driving so unless the car totally handles like crap, I won't bother with the springs. They seem fine and the car has already improved dramatically from just doing the rears.

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1982 300D Turbo "Helga"
380,000 miles

I have to say that KYBs are a very cost effective option and make the most sense for my teenager's 82 300SD. Set of four is about $120 from Performance Suspension in AZ. Lifetime guarantee, whatever that really means. No association, just liked the product and their service. My 2 cents, Big Mac

hey BWatson, what did you use to compress the springs when you replaced them?

Also I second the vote for Bilsteins, which are OEM. I've tryed Monroe shocks and I was not impressed with their mounting setup which consited of a single 15mm nut on the top. The OEM uses 2 17mm nuts. When I hit a pretty nasty pothole at above average speed I stripped the thread for the nut on the monroe shock. Luckily the shock didn't come out of it's hole or I would have had a slightly bigger problem . I quickly switched over to the much higher quality of OEM Bilsteins. The difference in ride is also quite noticable (in a good way).


BTW I was able to exchange the old set of Monroes that were on the car for a new set which are sitting in the corner of my room. The guy at the parts store where I got them wasn't very happy with that, but I wasn't very happy that I didn't get my money back since the damn thing failed. Seriously, what am I going to do with a set of monroes that replaced a set that almost fell out of the car. I sure as heck aren't putting them back in.

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2005 Audi A4 1.8T CVT -Silver/Black "Siegfried"

1982 300D - Silver/Blue "Ralph" -For Sale:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-cars-sale/119226-1982-300d-sale.html#post852260

1989 VW Diesel Jetta Blue/Blue "Bodo" RIP

Try selling your extra set in the classifieds here. I'm sure even a small amount of $ is better than nothing.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

I tryed that, but in the end I'd hate to see the same thing happen to some one who was just trying to save a little money.

They sit in my room as a kind of reminder to not take the cheap way through life when it comes to the important things.

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2005 Audi A4 1.8T CVT -Silver/Black "Siegfried"

1982 300D - Silver/Blue "Ralph" -For Sale:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=852260

1989 VW Diesel Jetta Blue/Blue "Bodo" RIP

Hey Capt. Kirk,
Spock here! Misinformed...I didn't replace the springs, just the shocks. My car sits nice and high so no plans to do the springs yet. What to do with those Monroe's...well I bet they'd fit nicely up Mr. Monroe's butt!!!

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1982 300D Turbo "Helga"
380,000 miles

C.Kirk,
You're probably right, it would be a supreme shame to sell those Monroe's to someone and have them fail.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside