Ride Height Change with Bilstein HD's. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

evozine · #1 08-27-2005, 11:53 AM

Ok, after reading the many posts on ride heights and suspension changes I have a concern before I install Bilstein HD's shocks only.

Car: 97 E 420
Suspension: stock
Wheels: OEM 16-inch

Question: Will my ride height be raised if I only install bilstein HD shocks?
Question: Will the Bilstein HD's tolerate a moderate lowering (1- inch) with new springs, or will I need to get Bilstein Sports for that moderate lowering?

My goals are to

(i) replace the leaking stock shocks,
(ii) maintain close to stock ride height (0, or - 1 inch),
(iii) obtain a firm, sportier ride, and most importantly,
(iv) Avoid the Monster.Truck.Ride.Height result that another poster revealed:

need2speed · #2 08-27-2005, 03:30 PM

The HD's have the same rod length as the "comfort" Bilsteins but the Sport's have a shorter rod for use with lowering springs. The springs affect your height, not the shocks. You can use the HD's with lower springs (1" is significant) but their dampening will be compromised. I would follow the spring mfg reccs as to what shocks are required.

ksing44 · #3 08-28-2005, 06:33 AM

The HDs did raise my friend's 1991 190E, but his car was sagging from very worn shocks and probably other suspension bits too. I have read other's comments suggesting that the increase in height is really just a return to the original height for cars that have HDs installed on an older vehicle. The HDs do certainly tighten things up a little and most people seem to like that. I think the cars tend to soften a bit as they age, so the stiffer shock helps restore the original new tightness.

I have HDs installed with Eibach lowering springs. My car is about 1-inch lower at all four wheels and everything seems fine to me. I don't know how different it would be with Sport shocks, but it seems OK with the very small drop and the HD shocks. If I had gone lower with different springs, then I guess I should have definitely used the shorter Sport shocks, but I think it is OK since I didn't lower the car more than about 1-inch. The durability and damping power of the HDs is certainly up to the job of dealing with the increased spring rates of the Eibach springs.

I think the AMG version and the Sport version of your W210 had the HD shocks, so I think it is a good choice for you. If it raises the car, you can play with the spring pads or even get different springs. Those are not inexpensive things to have done for you, but it is certainly an option.

Another issue is that I think it might be worse to have Sports on a non-lowered car than to have HDs on a slightly lowered car. I am not an expert by any standard, but that is what I think is true, so for you it might be best to get the HDs, since you have not yet lowered the car. When and if you change the springs, I think the HDs will be up to the job. They are guaranteed for life for a reason, although I suppose Bilstein might balk at replacing shocks that had obviously been used in the wrong application.

You know, I just wrote all that and now I think I remember reading that the W210 E420 came with HD shocks. Do you know anything about what was stock for your car?

My ride height with HDs, Eibachs, 1-bump front and 3-bump rear

evozine · #4 08-28-2005, 04:39 PM

Thanks for the input guys. I like the look of your blue benz, I think you have the ride height just about perfect {stock minus 1 inch}.

I installed the front Bilstein HD shocks this morning. The ride height is indeed unchanged, but performance is much improved. The original comfort shocks allowed the car to roll and bounce; the new Bilstein HD's keep the car even, and provide a better overall driving experience-- They are definatley worth $120 dollars for the pair.

Next weekend I'll replace the rear shocks with HD's as well. My next dilemma is whether to purchse new stock 16 inch touring tires, such as Pirelli P6's, or go the down the path of purchasing 17 inch wheels, such as the AMG monoblocks, getting lower profile tires, then replace the springs wit the H&R's or Eiback...., etc..., etc... ,

All is good for now...

ksing44 · #5 08-29-2005, 04:09 AM

I am very happy I took the path, since my 1995 W124 had very small 15" wheels and it seemed way too high before I had the Eibachs installed. The +1 16" wheels, with the smaller profile tires, would have made the fender gap look even more huge, so I just had to make the change. I just want to tell you that it does open up a can of worms, once you start down the path. It can be a struggle to get everything the way you want it, especially the ride height fine-tuning with the spring pads. In addition, there is the inevitable negative camber issue, which I think most people need to face up to when they lower their cars. It can be a lot of fun to personalize your suspension and it does add a sexy lowered look, but it can also be a headache if you are not prepared for the trial and error and the expense. Mine was a struggle and a headache, but it was fun too. I really am very happy with the new set-up. I would do it again.

To me, the W210s that I have seen don't look like they are too high. I think I could be happy with a W210 that was not lowered. I don't like the E320 OEM "umbrella" wheels, but. I like the 420s/430s with the 5-spoke wheels that look like my 15" 5-spoke special edition wheels. Your W210 with the V8 motor is already a very nice car, so maybe you don't really need to do much more. Maybe some bigger swaybars to go along with the HD shocks, since Mercedes did offer a Sport set-up and the AMG version.

Holson Adi · #6 08-29-2005, 09:32 AM

I saw a black W210 with some 18"/17" wheels that look like the twin-spoke wheels that are standard on the W211 E55 AMG. That car looked pretty sharp.

I do think the best looking wheels for a W210 are the heavy 18" AMG Monoblocks.

MTI · #7 08-29-2005, 12:32 PM

As said above, it's tough comparing brand new struts/shocks with the worn units they're replacing to say that one unit really "out performs" the other.

evozine · #8 09-06-2005, 01:32 AM

Ok,

I finally replaced the original worn Boge shocks with new bilstein HD's in the rear suspension.

It's a significant improvement, which I really noticed because I drove the car for a week with the old boge's in the rear, with new HD's in the front. I've heard others say that the original ride in the 210 cars is somewhat soft. With HD's all around the ride is now crisp.

thanks again for the encouragement....

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