Bilstein Struts: What's the difference here?
 

I'm about to purchase front struts for my W115 240D as I prepare to restore some of the front end suspension (fr. sway bar links & sub frame mount identified). Wanted to ask what the difference in the following two struts were?

1) 24-005265

2) 24-005258

Which one is recommended for pot holed city use and any other wear n tear components that will be easier to replace while these are out? (Engine mounts and stabilizer strut done).

I have Bilsteins on all my cars. I got no complaints. Don’t get the hd bilstien they’ll ride like a Mack truck

Bilstein Struts / Shocks
 

If you have pot holes, you really do need the HD's .

I run them on all my vehicles and no one has ever complained about the harsh ride (they *do* often scream to !SLOW DOWN! a lot....) .

Firmer shocks / struts will improve ride and stability, increase tire and suspension component life to boot making them very cost effective .

So far I've only managed to wear -one- out over five W123's and 25 + years including bad roads and endless road rallies .

They declined to warranty the failed one, oh well .

NO REGRETS in spite of the extra initial cost .

The only difference I see between them is the vehicle production date, does it fit your vintage?

They both say heavy duty in the listings, I'd also avoid heavy duty particularly on pot-holed roads.

Good luck!!!

Nate you type too fast:rolleyes:...our opinions are opposites coming in at exactly the same time. Was thinking HD's on the highway for stiffer handling but not on pot-holed roads for more comfort/cushion...

I type excruciatingly s l o w l y..... two finger hunt & peck :rolleyes: .

I find the HD's good for both crappy inner city pot holes and smooth high speed open highway driving.....

In shocks & struts you really do get what you pay for .

265 is heavy duty. 268 doesn't have that in the listing. That said, it appears the consensus is for the heavy duty struts.

I cannot tell much difference between hd and not hd.

The biggest difference in HD vs non-HD is when you're on winding crappy roads like we have around here. The non-HD's make the car wallow and the lack of firm damping makes the car skittish and have to take the turns at less than speed limit. Almost like worn shocks but not since you bought new. The HD's *DO NOT* make the ride harsh. Anyone who claims they do must have an ass made of glass. I've run HD's on both of my 126's and wouldn't run anything else. They glide over even the crappiest potholed, rutted, washboarded roads and handle so much better on the winding bits. Everyone who rides in my car comments on how smooth and comfortable it is.

Disregard my comment, my mechanic diagnosed bad struts. Nevertheless, I don't like the feel of HDs on w126.

I run HD in the front and 'Sport' in the rear. The HD in the front for the heavy engine. Sport in the rear as not to get to stiff of a rear end. Think of a Pick up with HD springs. Hit a bump and it feels like buck board.

HD Billys
 

In my 7 years of W123/C123 and S124/A124 ownership I've only installed HD Billys.

Zero regrets. They are fantastic, and my experience has been just as Nate andDiseasel describe.

I've driven W123s with non-HDs. My experience there is also as Diseasel describes.

My biggest regret was not buying the hds! Go get them!

Last year I finally got a '83 300CD after years of wanting a W123. The shocks were original and I thought they were shot as the car was soft and wallowed when you push it. I pondered over stock vs. HD's. Installed all new Bilstein's comforts and it is exactly the same.
My opinion/experience is that it was a huge mistake not to go with HD's. Learned the hard way...

Learning
 

@ Alex ;

At least you learned and are willing to share the knowledge gained .

I'd not say my 300CD was wallowy but it's wasn't the tight smooth riding German high speed road machine I expected either .

Even my put put 240D rides well with the HD's .