Bilstein shocks: standard vs HD
 

Any preferences?

This is for a 240D...

HD are too stiff for my liking.

Definitely prefer comforts


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Many who install HD later regret the decision, as the ride is very harsh. Comfort model is the same ride quality as the shocks that came with the car when new.

If you want to feel like you have HDs, put too much air in your tires and it’s pretty similar actually


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I just put HDs all around on my 85 300D. I wouldn't want anything softer. The car feels like an old BMW instead of an old Benz. I consider this a good thing.

The springs are way soft though, and I'd like to look into some eibachs or vogtlands to stiffen it up more. These can be pretty happy cars in in turns. No sports car by any means but there's a lot of room for improvement over stock/ shot.

Agreed 100%

Some have confused their automobile handling with their toilet paper. It is indeed personal preference, but softer is not "better" unless perhaps you're an AARP member. If you like the soft absorbent OE feel, go with the basic Bilsteins. If you prefer a firmer sportier feel, similar to how the AMG cars drive, the HD's are the way.

Have Bilstein comforts on the 78 CD, and HD's on the 83 CD. Much prefer the HD's over the comforts.

Agreed 1000%. I have HDs on both the SDL and the SL. The ride is still PLENTY soft, anyone who thinks that's a hard ride must have a skeleton made of ice crystals. The SL is a bit firm, but the SDL is like flying in an airplane, nothing ever gets through unless it's just an awful road. I plan to replace the springs at some point this year and hoping that firms it up a bit more.

You mean these aren't supposed to handle like a city bus? :uhoh:

-Rog

Buy the HDs, if you don't like them i'll come over to your house (live in the valley) and trade you my barely worn in comforts I bought for my 380SL :P I purchased them last year and they only have about 8k on them.

I wish I purchased the HDs. I want a stiffer ride.

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

What you got against people old enough for AARP?

Regardless, I wouldn't have anything besides HD on my SD. In fact, I have 2 comforts available that came off of the 84 because the rears were shot when I got this car and I wanted a matching set.

Nothing at all! Just an attempt at humor, no offense intended.