I've looked, don't know which I want. Bilstein's
 

I did a search for Bilstein's and saw some responses but after a couple of pages I didn't get the info I was looking for. I was looking at my shocks and saw that one of my front ones had oil seeping. At least it has oil after 200k miles.

Was looking on peach parts and saw they had 3 grades of Bilsteins. Regular, HD and Touring. I have had Bilstein's on two GM vehicles about 20 years ago, a Syclone and GTZ both had them stock from the factory. Over the years I have put other brands on vehicles and never seem to see the nice handling that I have seen with Bilstein's

Main question is which are the stiffest, and are gas charged. I went to the Bilstein site and didn't get the info.

I think touring are for a different suspension setup, I put the regular (comfort) bilstiens in. HD would be pretty rough, based on how firm the regular ones are.

I did front shocks on mine about a year ago. I'd have to look through my very thick folder of parts receipts to be completely sure, but I think I went with the Touring Bilsteins. Handling is considerably improved over the original shocks. Ride quality is firm, but not harsh, exactly where I want it and about on par with a well sorted classic 911 (and way smoother than my sport bike).

I probably will be digging through those receipts pretty soon, since the rear shocks are finally starting to go.

Looking on some parts sites....some have touring but not comfort. Are touring and comfort synonymous or are they different shocks?

Just found out that touring is new name for comfort.

About 10 percent of my normal miles are on gravel roads. I find that the car has pretty good ground clearance but seems too mushy for much of the driving I do, rural roads.

I have HD on my 84 & 85SD and like them. My other vehicles are a 00 Diesel Ram and 78 Datsun Z. I prefer stiffer suspensions & find the SD ride very comfortable.

I have a set of good front comforts that I removed from the 84 if anyone has a need. The rears were shot & I replaced all 4. Professor Google looked up the part number for the existing fronts once I had the part in-hand.

Junk... PM sent

As long as we're on the subject, I have a good pair of KYB Gas Adjust shocks I removed from the front of my 300. They actually feel firmer than the Meyle's I replaced them with.

In my opinion, there's no substitute for OEM Bilsteins, at any price. And yes, the Touring are closest to OE on our cars.

The KYB's that are on my mom's E320 wagon are crap. So were the Monroe's on my 300E before I replaced them.

Sachs/Boge are comparable quality and I have them on the front of my 300E (Billie's on the back though). I'm going to put Billie's on my mom's wagon in the next month or so.

Thanks
I am pretty well set on Bilstein's.

Just got back from a road trip that included about 70 miles of winding ridge roads and 60 miles of interstate. The rear sway bar links are still not replaced and click a lot. Hopefully next week. We get a lot of moderately rough pavement. This car needs a lot of help, which it will get.

Sach/Boge were OEM on all the cars as far as I am aware.

Bilsteins are the way to go if you're replacing. I've got all new Billstein B8's (Sport, the yellow tube ones) on my 190E and its a pretty slick ride. Granted the car is lowered...

My 300D has KYB's on front and originals on the rear. The ride is alright.. Maybe next year I'll replace the rears with some Bilstein Comforts or HDs....

I have Bilstein HD's all around on my w201 (190E) and love them to death. I had heard for a while before I bought them that they are one of the best starting points you can do to your car, to give it more of a performance feel in the corners, and they all were right, they are firm but yet still very forgiving, you will never feel like you are in a lowered out Honda or anything like that, it will still feel like a Mercedes 100%. That's one of the next things I am doing to my 87 300D.

Word of caution, if these are original to the car, and oil is leaking, you might be in for a surprise when changing them. After renting the OE spring compressor from a dealership that a buddy of mine (owns a shop and worked on 300's) borrowed, we took off the shocks and one exploded green slimy oil in our eyes and mouth and ears. It was probably the most disgusting thing that has ever happened (i'd rather have my hair soaked with gear oil/ATF or split a VW case and smell 40 year old putrefied oil hiding in bolt holes). In any case be careful, those springs are HUGE.

I went with Bilsteins, the KYB's I've had in a Porsche project-that-wouldnt-end 914 and while they're okay, they're really stiff. Kill Your Back they used to call them. It's worth the extra for Bilsteins.