I have 2 300CD coupes. Both US models. When I purchased the 1982, I was surprised when I noticed how much softer the 1982 suspension feels. I'm trying to figure out if it just because it is a different car and maybe it could use some stiffer shock absorbers. Or, did they change the suspension characteristics between these years? I like the tighter feel of my 1984 car better.

Prolly just worn out shocks, I hope the bushings & ball joints are O.K. .

Bilstein HD gas shocks for the win .

__________________
-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

Exactly.

__________________
[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.

Tell me what different the Bilsteins do.

I too would like to know if there were any coupe suspension changes over the last few years??

When I got my '83 300CD I thought It was very soft. Was an all original car that sat in a garage, not much use with the previous owner of 25 years. The air cleaner element was dated 1985 made in West Germany!

Suspension rubber seems good, I see no cracking or wallowed out areas. Everything is tight and good. I put on new stock Bilstein's made no difference at all. Body rolls quite a bit if you take a corner just a little fast. Sway bar bushings/links all good.

Sounds like HD Bilstein's are the best option, wish I had gone that route.

The Bilstein HD's have different valving than the "comfort" series, so they provide a greater damping. The result is a firmer ride without being rough. I run B4 HD's on my W126's and wouldn't run anything else. They maintain the "airplane-like" smoothness, but don't pitch, roll, porpoise, or jiggle as much as the softer shocks do.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

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

Shocks have always seemed more critical on Mercedes cars. They seem to me to be a more active component of the suspension than on a lot of automotive brands.

Blisteins only should be used. Because they do seem to cope and stay good for a long period of time. . Many other brands do not seem to last in that environment.

Not confined to Mercedes. Big North American shock absorber brands are good for about a month or so on the back end of some Volkswagon Jetttas.

Is this the Bilstein you're talking about? Are there any other recommendations?

https://www.bilstein.com/us/en/product-search-detail/?ItemId=6761354355116284123&YearId=3758778375502942013&MakeId=7816025481999714769&ModelId=7817689993268135804&SubModelId=4194908274341715756

For a step yet firmer, use the application for the 300SD of the same year (W126); dimensionally the same, but firmer valving.

Diseasel300,
Thanks for the explanation, I will switch to the HD bilstein's this summer and offer for sale the comforts in the classified section. I like the idea of keeping the "airplane-like" ride but with less 'pitch, roll, porpoising, jiggling that it does now.' You put that well.

Barry12345
Some years ago Midas Muffler had a huge shock sale, I had all four of their best Monroe's installed on my 1 ton Chevy van. They were a joke, I went a mile turned around and said you put half ton shocks on. They didn't. Switched to KYB monomax which I liked, but as you said... did not last.

Gregp1969
Could your '84 coupe already have the HD Bilstein's compared to the'82? I do wonder if Mercedes changed to firmer shocks in '84-85 as standard?
Anybody know?

I'm trying to decide if "a step yet firmer" would be too firm. I like the way my '84 rides. It's not stiff or too firm. But, not sloppy either.

I made the mistake of going TOO firm on the SL. The shocks are there to damp wheel movement and eliminate oscillation of the coil springs. They will NOT affect body roll or handling any more than the suspension is designed for. The anti-roll bars and spring rate determine how much roll and how "stiff" the suspension is overall. If you put too stiff of shocks in, you just make the ride rough. The shocks in the SL are stiff enough that you can tell how many coats of paint are applied at a crosswalk. Stiffer shocks than OE will make the ride better, but too stiff will make it far worse.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

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

It's a variable to each individual .

I like to drive quickly if not over fast so the increased firmness of Bilstien HD gas shocks over rides the slight increase in firmness .

I also use them in my truck and Nash Metropolitan .

__________________
-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

Consider and investigate adding larger diameter sway bars. They will reduce the roll or lean on the corners. Many of todays cars have suspensions almost like go carts in comparison.

Mercedes of the 123 type at least have very deep suspension movements. As with many things a compromise design as we drive in general faster today than the engineers though at the time perhaps. They still hold the road well but there is substantial body and suspension movement on cornering.

Since anything you do is spending money. You want to check for any deterioration. Get the measuring referance from a Mercedes shop manual. Then check the body height to make sure it is right. You might have tired springs.

It was normal service procedure to change them around 100k in the fintail days at dealerships. I assume they measured body height first.

Another problem is at that time they did not make seats to maintain your position so the body has to be controlled in position with a little effort on corners. It may be subconsious. I just suspect we do it or they would not have redesigned the seats over the years. Seat belts help.

In a way it is like a medium size sail boat. It will take more than you are happy with before presenting any real issue.

Go to utube and watch some of the 123s manufactures videos. To get some ideal. If todays cars did that you would expect either to roll over or slide out.

Their front end geometry was somewhat different than other manufactures in the day as well. I found cars like my old fintail to be very sensitive to the tires on the front. It took me a few pairs until I found tires that did not create under steer. This did not seem to be a problem with the 114 or 123 chassis.

To me you are driving a car that was about the end of the line for Mercedes design of many things. Different than the competition. The suspension was also designed for service where the roads where dismal in many parts of the world. Where other cars would beat themselves to death in that service.

We just do not have the roads these cars are capable of surviving on. I have wondered why I like the 123 240ds so much. The lighter engine and transmission seem to change the ride and handling somewhat in my favor. Where the 123 300d with the heavier engine and transmission does not seem as nice to me for want of a better word. Or the 240d it is about the last car on the road you are forced to drive.

Newer cars also have substantially reduced sidewall depths. This is of course to reduce tire side roll. The extremes they have gone to present bent rim issues and lower tire life. Plus a harsher ride to me is overkill. Part of what you are feeling can also be low ply sidewall tires.. I use them on occasion to make the ride softer on some of our lightweight cars. I would not put them on a 123 model. I would not put them on any brand of medium to heavyweight car. Goodyear tire company I know sells a lot of them.

I am far from an expert on anything. So these are just the perceptions of thing I have observed over the many years.