I would trust the MB engineers (in those days anyway) to weigh all considerations and install overall the best type shock available. I would go stock.

Is it usually just you in the car or a full load?

I find new comforts too stiff for me but that’s what MBs through the early ‘90s are about. MBs are more to my liking since Lexus came along.

Sixto
98 E320 sedan and wagon

It’s just me, seldom any real load.
Incredible the opinions on shocks are so divided!

Almost as good as an oil thread! Or a brake pad thread!

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Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC

Oh no, are we going to have to start avoiding shock threads too?

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Current stable:
1995 E320 157K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 125K (SLoL)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

Gone and wanting to forget:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™) [Definitely NOT a Benz]

I've read on other forums of people using HD in the front and comfort in the rear... any takers?

I've read this too and actually brought it up to my indy. He looked pretty disgusted at the thought of putting different set ups front and rear

So, I chose to go HD front and rear.

I did the opposite on my 190d.
Got a set of HD's from a 16v for the rear dirt cheap and found a fresh set of comfort's for the front off a clean 190d that hit our local yard. It rides good, I'm going to be putting w124 springs in the rear also, I like the firmer ride for the rear and I pull my 5x10 trailer sometimes loaded with stuff so I like the extra tow capability. Rides great, the HD's are definitely way stiffer than stock.

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84 190D 5spd - 878K
87 300TD VIN 0007 - 298K
93 FUSO FE-HD 15' - 198K
05 158" Sprinter 2500 - 270K

"Ich mag die Dieselgeräusche"
https://youtu.be/YjrxHqNy5CQ
✞

Are Bilstein comfort or B4 shocks monotube or twin tube? They don't make it clear anywhere in their literature and nobody seems to have a definitive answer. For this reason I went for KYB gas adjust monotube shocks and never looked back.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

Not sure if twin or mono tube but they are capable of taking a 40mm lower ride height spring as standard.

Great! Still wouldn't buy twin tube shocks.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

Well shoot ;

I've been an AARP member awhile now and all my M-B's, even the lowly 240D with slushbox and no sunroof, had the HD's because they firm up the handling nicely .

Yes, my sweetie is, ah, "horizontally enhanced" in nature so she complains if I drive it too fast over speed bumps & pot holes but whatever, right ? .

If you want a floaty ride, buy a Caddy or take an Ocean cruise .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

My understanding is that the springs determine how stiff the car rides, i.e. "boaty vs go-cart" feel. The shock's purpose is to dampen oscillations, and they only act on the rebound (going up), not the initial drop. But, there are many types, so some sporty ones might resist in both directions, and some have integral springs. But HD doesn't necessarily mean "sporty" and may be better for mafia guys hauling bodies in the trunk. As-designed w/ Bilstein shocks, my 2 300D's ride fairly firm and certainly without the low-frequency boaty feel of most U.S. cars thru the 1970's, although I won't say the later is bad and certainly made long highway drives more comfortable.

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1984 & 1985 CA 300D's
1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport
1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans

All shocks have a spec value for both compression and rebound. I.e. they are active in both directions of the oscillation. These values should be matched with the spring rate, so for example if you install really stiff springs, you will need firmer shocks to match. Likewise the height of each must be matched. You don't want to use lowered springs with stock shock absorbers or it will quickly wear out the shocks.

The Bilstein TC "comfort" and HD models (now called B4 and B6) are intended as replacements for use with OE stock springs. The Bilstein Sport (now called B8) is intended for use with shorter (lowered) aftermarket sport springs.

I've driven my w210 in two configurations. First configuration was stock springs with Bilstein TC. This felt like OE from the dealer. Next config was H&R lowering springs and Bilstein B8 "sport". This felt slightly firmer than a stock E55 AMG. Both felt very nice. The softer config was smooth and responsive, not floaty or sloppy feeling at all. The firmer config was very sporty and confidence inspiring but was not rock hard.

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1998 E300 turbodiesel

America's Rights and Freedoms Are Not The Enemy!

A reminder :

Cutting the springs will lower the vehicle and make it firmer, not smoother riding...

Basic physics here .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better