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  #1  
Old 01-04-2001, 08:09 AM
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OK I did not get a response on the wheels & tires forum. Give yalls opinion on shock's for my 83 300D Turbo. Part's shop gave me a quote on Bilstien's and Boge. Let me know what you think. I'm not looking for race track handling just a good tight ride.

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  #2  
Old 01-04-2001, 10:39 AM
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They're both OEM....flip a coin.
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  #3  
Old 01-04-2001, 11:48 AM
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I think the bilstiens are the better shock and the price reflects this. It depends on how long you plan to keep the car. The bilstiens will surely last longer, the boges will stay tight for a few years easily, bilstiens are garunteed for life. I did put boges on the back of my Porsche and took it on the track, no complaints. So yal is right, both are very good. I personally prefer the bistiens, they will be going on my Porsche and M-B within the next year. Brent
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  #4  
Old 01-04-2001, 05:20 PM
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Thank's for the opinion's. Now to find that coin!
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  #5  
Old 01-04-2001, 06:30 PM
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HD's too rough?

TXBILL, I was looking to buy the HD's for my '85 300D to try to firm up the ride a little--to compensate for the wallow with this chassis. Are the HD's really too firm, maybe compared to a stock BMW. Thanks.
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  #6  
Old 01-04-2001, 09:04 PM
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I installed Bilstein HD struts/shocks on my 300E about 3 years ago. They are indeed more firm than the Comfort setting, however, I do NOT think they are harsh or in any way uncomfortable. If you want a smooth ride with stock Mercedes handling, get the Comfort setting. If you want a firmer ride and plan on other suspension modifications, get the HDs. It all depends on what you want to accomplish...

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  #7  
Old 01-05-2001, 01:05 AM
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Hello guys,

Well, here I go, exposing my ignorance once more. I am not sure I understand what Bilstein means when they say their shocks are guaranteed for "life".

Does it mean that the shock is guaranteed against defects in workmanship and material until it wears out? Or does it mean they are guaranteed to outlast the car and will be replaced for any reason as long as you own the car?

It seems one could not reasonably expect a device to be guaranteed against wearing out, but some Sears shocks I bought years ago had such a warranty. (Sears actually replaced them, too.)

Thanks for any clarification.
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  #8  
Old 01-05-2001, 09:49 PM
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I installed Bilstein HD in my 300E. The ride is FIRM compare to my old ones (originals) but, I like it. Besides, I did not want that "Cadillac feel" in my MB. As far as the warranty, if the originals lasted 13 years then, the new Bilsteins should last just as long. Think about that!
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  #9  
Old 01-05-2001, 11:26 PM
dlswnfrd
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Billies for Me

Shoe, just this week I replaced all four. Bilstein Comforts. Not the pretty Yellow ones, just stock Comforts. I have a W124030 with 169K miles, they were due. For an additional $30.00 replace the steering dampener, if yours has one. New shocks and dampener, WOW what a car(again). Happy Trails Beep Beep from shock happy Houston.

Donald
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  #10  
Old 01-06-2001, 07:22 AM
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I found the coin!

From all the feedback I have received, I'll go with the Bilstien's. I plan to replace the steering damper too. Just to recap, I will be replacing both upper control arm's and related bushing's, both lower control arm bushing's, one ball joint on the right side, all four shock's and the steering damper. I ought to a well behaved 18 yearold Benz!! I will keep you posted on the progress. My suspension components' should be in from parts shop early next week. I still need to order the shock's and damper. Donald did you get the steering damper from parts shop?
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  #11  
Old 01-07-2001, 11:39 AM
dlswnfrd
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Yo Shoe

$30.00 well spent. You'll notice the difference or I'll retract my replies and give you your questions back.

Donald
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  #12  
Old 01-08-2001, 03:58 PM
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HD Billsteins

Shoe,
I put HD Bilsteins on my '87 300 SDL a little over seven years ago. Front ones started leaking more than I thought was "acceptable" and I was successful in getting them replaced under the lifetime warranty. Had to argue a little since there supposedly can be some 'leakage', but I never felt any was acceptable. In my case it was pretty extensive and happened after about 9 months or so.

The HD's worked fine for me since this car is heavier than some models. A lighter model would definitely ride hard with these in my opinion. I went to the HD on the recommendation of the mechanic I used for major repairs at the time, and I have been real happy with the choice. Either way they are a good option. I have used KYB's on the '78 450 SEL vehicles and did not like them (ride was too soft for the weight of the car).

Glad you chose the Bilsteins.

Redflash

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  #13  
Old 01-08-2001, 05:29 PM
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I am pretty sure that Bilstien offers a sport shock as well, which would probably give you a nice compromise between the heavy duty and the comfort. As far as the lifetime warranty my car is on its original set at 180,000 miles and almost 15 years. Now, when they wear out I don't expect Mercedes will replace them for free (wouldn't that be nice). Generally when place give a lifetime warranty, it means just that, however long, as long as you own the car. We put a Walker Quiet flow muffler on the Caddy we used to own (it was stolen - notice I'm not crying about it)and the deal was as long as we owned the car it would be replaced everytime it wore out. So if we owned the car for 20 more years (not likely) we might have gotten 5 or 6 mufflers out of the deal. If you sell the car, I'm pretty sure they won't honor the warranty for the new owner. Its all a numbers game and it works like this. Unless you were dumb enough to buy a car without checking it out first it will probably be two to three years before you need these major items on a used car. Chances are 10 to 1 that if you have owned the used car for 2 to 3 years you will only own it for2 to 3 more years and then sell it or scrap it. So on average they only are looking at having to honor 10% of the warranties. Now with a Mercedes, chances are your original bilstiens lasted 10 years or more. So you buy a new set to replace the tired ones and they should last ten more years. Bilstien knows that the majority of people who buy shocks from them will not own the cars they are putting them on in 10 years, so they won't have to honor the warranty. If you do plan to own your car for a long time to come than this is great you may just get to take advantage of the lifetime warranty (and any short term problems - as mentioned above will also be taken care of). If you sell the car and the warranty was worthless to you then you still get more than your money's worth out of a set of bilstiens.

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  #14  
Old 01-08-2001, 09:05 PM
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Well, if you keep the car, you have the warranty. If you sell the car, you can use the bilsteins as a selling tool... Win-win situation.
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  #15  
Old 01-09-2001, 02:20 PM
arochard
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Also if you don't feel like blowing a wad now, you can opt for some good used Bilsteins. As they have such a long life anyway, I'm sur you can get a few years out of a used set and they'll cost you about 1/4 what the new ones will.

Juste mes deux sous....

AARON ROCHARD
1976 230.4 W115

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