On my '99 e300 with 195k whilst it still rides great, I did the ol' bounce test and discovered if I bounce it five times and lets go it comes back up twice. Are the shocks beat? Ride quality is still smooth and not too bouncy.

Also, if that's the case I'm pricing out shocks.. Are Sachs shocks as smooth as the MB brand?

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Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

Sounds like they're close, but the marshmallow handling of a w210 may obscure the problem. I like to take them out and compress by hand to be sure. I recently replaced shocks that seemed ok on the car. When I couldn't find any other reason for my handling problem, I took them out for a manual check. Turned out one of them was fine in bump, but rebounded without resistance. You'd never discover that with a bounce test.

Did you think Mercedes made shocks? That's funny. OE was likely Sachs.

No, never thought they made shocks. Wasn't sure if they were bilstein or Sachs.

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Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

Not an expert opinion but I think one bounce is standard and two is not too bad. Unless your driving experience is bad, I would not fool with it.

Some cars seem more shock sensitive to me than other brands. If they are the originals they probably should be refreshed anyway. Nearly 200k is an unreasonable expectation to remain as new. The gas shocks on cars are harder to evaluate in place I found. Or at least that is what I experienced .

I am not for putting on parts that do not need replacement. These gas shocks could be removed and compared to a new example I suppose.

I have no ideal if my cars ever have had them replaced. Other than the example that was always regularily serviced at a Mercedes dealership. It probably has replacement shocks but I have no proof and have not looked.

No past service records with any of them. What I believe in the old days is they were automatically changed out at dealers at specific milages.

As for brand of replacement. The original brand as supplied is usually the best ideal for Mercedes and other German car makes. Many aftermarket brands are a total waste of money. The newer models like yours may be subject to different rules but I doubt it.

Or if you have a decent dealer in your area. You could ask them about the average millage change out.

If your gas filled shocks give a bouncy ride they are shot.

If they are leaking oil they are shot.

Two bounce test; shot.

At that mileage if I did not know if they'd been changed I'd expect them to be shot.

Probably shot.

I'm picky about my ride and handling though.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.