500E vs. E500 front struts

[ke6dcj]

The dealer is saying there is a different front strut part number for early 500E's vs. late model E500's. Randy at EPS confirms this. One does not supercede the other.

Does anyone know if there is a difference?

I've heard that the E500 (94) is not as heavily sprung as the 500E (92-93) which may lead to different valving for the front struts. The older struts are approx. $20 more expensive;

Could that be due it having the additional helper spring built-in (assuming the 1994 E500 doesn't have the "helper spring")?

Looking for actual facts, not assumptions.

TIA,
:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

[Glen]

Neil,
I recently bought a set of the late style E500 struts for my wife's wagon. I can confirm that they do have the internal springs/buffers.

[ke6dcj]

Thanks Glen.
BTW- does the front ride like a 500E on softer springs or something else?

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

[Glen]

With the stock wagon springs/pads, the ride is more compliant than the E500. But body roll is significantly reduced from stock.

Glen,
Did you replace both front and rear shocks on your wife's wagon with 500 components?
May I ask why you elected 500 shocks instead of say Bilstein HD, given that the 500 weight distribution is different from that of an E320T. I am very interested in your observations since I also have both an E500 and E320T and am unhappy with the latter. I know I shouldnt say this, but we might consider a 540iT sport at some point... :-(
Thanks
farrrukh

[Glen]

farrrukh,
So far, I've only replaced the front struts. I bought a set of E500 rear hydropneumatic struts but the mounting system is a little different between the wagon and sedan. The uppers are not a problem but the lowers are considerably different and will require the use of lower control arms from a sedan. I still haven't decided how to proceed.

I chose the E500 struts because they have internal buffers that limit travel. Essentially, they have springs on either side of the shock valves. In effect, the buffers help the anti-sway bars during hard cornering but do not affect ride during normal driving. I think the ride and handling is better than with Bilstein HD (had them on my old 300E.)

I'll have to verify the numbers, but I don't think the weight distribution is significantly different between the wagon and E500.

Glen,

Its interesting that the 500 shocks work well on the 320. I installed sportline shocks on my 320 and am highly disatisfied with the results. Steering feel has declined significantly; During the compression cycle of shock travel, it feels as if the shock is bring the vehicle's downward motion to an abrupt halt (springs still moving), which suggests that the shocks are too short for stock springs. In the other words, the car feels very spongy. This appears to be consistent with the fact that Bilstein sports are for shorter springs and HDs for stock springs, while both provide similar damping characteristics.
Now given that 500 springs are shorter than 320 stock springs, I would postulate that one might observe similar behaviour to what I described, if one used 500 shocks in a stock 320. Apparently not? :-)
What are your thoughts?

farrukh

[ke6dcj]

Farrukh- change your stock springs to SportLine front springs, and all will be better because they will finally be the proper match.

I had H&R springs w/SportLine struts/dampers in the front, and it wasn't good. H&R Springs worked best with the Bilstein SPORTS.

SportLine springs work well with Bilstein Sports, but even better with SportLine struts/dampers, although the SportLine spring & front damper combo is stiffer than with Bilstein Sports.

The SportLine front struts/dampers feel like they have non-linear valving. That is, the rate of damper changes (to stiffer) when the shock approaches is extremes of compression and elongation, similar to the 500E dampers/struts which use additional springs instead.

If Glen's setup has a bigger compliance/smoother window, I might have to change my SportLine front springs & struts/dampers to full 500E springs & struts/dampers.

I'm trying to find a time when Glen & I can compare wagons.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E

[Glen]

farrukh,
The E500 struts do NOT exibit the behavior you describe. The wagon is driven daily, it's our do everything, family hauler. The stock ride was just too soft, especially when compared to my other cars. For me, the E500 front struts make it about perfect. I will probably install thinner spring pads to bring it down just a bit but not until I figure out what to do with the rear.

I too am interested it trying Neil's setup. Using 500E springs sounds is intriguing