It really depends on the driving you do. I installed touring shocks on the front and I like the smooth ride and the way they handle bumps, etc. I have driven on country roads and I am happy with the ride. If your shocks are worn out, you will notice a very mushy ride. The touring shocks will provide a firmer ride than worn out shocks but not as firm as HD shocks. I would use HD shocks if I wanted performance driving capabilities to reduce body roll but in a 300SD, you are not going to do much performance driving to begin with. I do not think I would enjoy riding on gravel roads with stiff shocks. I like my teeth. LOL

Spring compressor? I don't even recall jacking my car up to replace the front shocks. That goes for the bearing bracket rebuild as well. Just find an appropriate dust boot/cover because for some reason, the shocks do not come with them. That is one thing I wish I could have found in time. I may need to revisit my shocks to install the dust covers.

my car is a regular 300D, a w123 chassis. No McPherson struts, so I don't anticipate any spring compressor.

Exactly. No struts on the W126, either. Both are very similar. If you are nimble and have good arm strength, you should be able to unbolt, compress and remove the shock with the car on the ground. Same as I did. When installing the new shock, attach the correct bushings and washers in the appropriate order, shove the top of the shock into the shock tower mount, push up, align shock to the lower mount point and tap it into the correct position to start the bolts. If the clearances for the inner shock bolt are not enough to start the bolt, start the outer bolt, compress the shock, rotate the shock ccw (for driver's side), start the inner bolt, torque it, compress the shock, align it into the shock mount, torque the outer bolt. Finally, attach the upper bushings and washers before torquing down the upper rod bolt.

thanks

I am going to disagree with you on this one. The 300d factory came with front shocks pn# 1233200030 and rear shocks pn# 1233200131. Which are Bilstein Comforts or the slightly firmer Sachs/Boges.

According to Bilstein, the HD's is an aftermarket replacement for a firmer more controlled ride.

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Here's a good comparison of the two types. When it's time, I think I'll go for HD's.

Mercedes Bilstein Shock Absorbers: Understanding the difference by Kent Bergsma - YouTube

The first 4 inches or so on a bilstein are the same. HD is 2 valved and will increase in resistance as it continues to travel down. You want the HD's.

A comparable story (one that I dont let my wife ever forget) is when we bought our current mattress. I said lets get the firmer one and let it break in. She said no. After the second kid came around (alot of time in bed) she said I was right....

Agreed. I don't believe I've seen Bilsteins as original equipment on any of the Mercedes of this era. Sachs/Boge yes.

HDs.

I have them on two of my four W126s currently. The Comforts are on the front of the 560 to match the dampening of the SLS. I have not gotten around to installing HDs on the SD yet.

Also, I am curious as to what a 'rough ride' is to some people. If HDs ride rough, they need to drive a one ton truck solid front axle truck for a few days unloaded.

Shocks
 

I have the H.D.'s front + back and like them on my 85 300SD. I think the car sits up a little higher with them also which I like.

I am tied between the HD and the Comforts/Touring for my 300D. It'll be a good while before I feel like dropping cash on that cars suspension really. Its got 2 year old KYB's up front and original rears.

I have been using Sachs for a while and have found them to be very good. My SD is Bilstein HD front and Sachs comfort rear and it rides great. My bro's W123 is sachs comfort all around and rides very nice and smooth. Used sachs comfort all around on my 420 also and it drives very nice, no excessive body roll or bounce, just nice.

I have Bilstein HD shocks on my 85 300D. I love them, a bit stiff but they make the car feel much more like a suspension in a modern car.

I also have a hitch on my 85, when pulling heavy trailers the rear end feels great with the HD shocks.