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  #1  
Old 02-14-2018, 02:27 PM
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Bilstein shocks: standard vs HD

Any preferences?

This is for a 240D...

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  #2  
Old 02-14-2018, 03:05 PM
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HD are too stiff for my liking.
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  #3  
Old 02-14-2018, 04:00 PM
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Definitely prefer comforts


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  #4  
Old 02-14-2018, 04:05 PM
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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.
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  #5  
Old 02-14-2018, 04:19 PM
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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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  #6  
Old 02-14-2018, 06:56 PM
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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.
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  #7  
Old 02-14-2018, 07:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MongooseGA View Post
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.
Agreed 100%
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  #8  
Old 02-14-2018, 07:38 PM
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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.
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  #9  
Old 02-14-2018, 08:15 PM
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Have Bilstein comforts on the 78 CD, and HD's on the 83 CD. Much prefer the HD's over the comforts.
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  #10  
Old 02-14-2018, 08:22 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MongooseGA View Post
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 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.
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  #11  
Old 02-14-2018, 08:27 PM
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You mean these aren't supposed to handle like a city bus?

-Rog
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  #12  
Old 02-14-2018, 09:25 PM
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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 I purchased them last year and they only have about 8k on them.

I wish I purchased the HDs. I want a stiffer ride.
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  #13  
Old 02-14-2018, 10:23 PM
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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
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  #14  
Old 02-14-2018, 10:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by torsionbar View Post
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.
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.
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  #15  
Old 02-14-2018, 11:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Junkman View Post
What you got against people old enough for AARP?
Nothing at all! Just an attempt at humor, no offense intended.

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