Inexpensive but reliable shock recomendation
 

I have a 1999 ML 320 with about 178K miles on it. Front Bilstein shock broke right off the the bottom bolt, so I don't want Bilstein again. Other Bilstein is fine I think I put them on in 2005, so they worked for a while.


Can anyone recommend reasonable quality shock that is inexpensive
but will fit and fuction well?

Honestly it looks like the bottom of the shock broke off due to rust. I have always had good luck with Bilstein shocks.

Yeah, looks like rust. Nothing to blame on the shock.

The other shock works and looks fine. So maybe they only treat a certain number of their shocks to be corrosion resistant.

I bought a new pair of Monroes for about $126. That will have to do for this vehicle which has 177K miles on it. They seem better at this time than the Bilsteins, probably because they are new and I did not notice the Bilsteins were worn out.

I just put some Monroes on my 04 ML350. At 172K my factory shocks were well worn. About $100 out the door from O'Rielley's Auto Parts.