I am going to be replacing my rear shocks with OEM Bilsteins. The question I have is which would be best for my '80 W116, standard or heavy duty. I tried looking up the part number for the HD shocks, but it came up as not being in the data base. I got the part number for the HD shocks from the benzbin. With the weight of my W116, would a heavy duty shock be best or would it give to harsh of a ride. Not that I want my car to float like a Caddy, but I don't want to have a bone jarring ride either. Also if someone to clearify the removing and replace of the rear shocks. I looked at the manual and it gives the impression that you can remove the shocks with the car on the ground. It says to remove the back seat, unbolt the top bolt through the access hole. Then remove the 2 lower bolts that attach it to the control arm, and just remove it in a downward direction. The reason I am questioning this is because there wouldn't be any room to pull the whole shock out. Maybe the meant to say after removing the top bolt, to raise the vehicle, then remove the 2 lower bolts.
Any past experience from anyone would be greatly appreciated.

__________________
1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

By the way nice looking car. I must commend you on the nice condition and also noticed how clean your front wheels are. I think the rear suspension needs to be unloaded in order to get the shocks out of there. I would also recommend heavy duty shocks. The handling will be a little better. The ride will not be too harsh unless you put some harder compound, wider tires on the car.

__________________
1990 190E 2.6
1996 Grand Voyager 3.3
1985 Mustang GT 5.0 5 SPD
1982 Suzuki GS 750T

My Hayes manual does not say to lift the rear of the car off the ground, but my Chilton's Manual does, so go figure. I would think you would have to remove the wheel and lift the car up..I always did on my Chevys...

__________________
2000 Ford 7.3 Powerstroke 4x4
2006 Mazda Tribute
1983 Black 300 D (donated to charity)
1993 Teal 300 D (160K) Sold
"I love the smell of burnt diesel fuel in the morning, it smells like ....VICTORY"

Semper Fidelis
USMC 1973-1976

The more I think about it, you probably remove the top bolts with the car on the ground, then jack the car up. With the car on the ground there isn't enough ground clearance to pull out a fully extended shock absorber. Of course when dealing with compressed suspension components, guessing on what to do can be dangerous, so that's why I started this post.

__________________
1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

I have changed the rear shocks on my w123 using the stock mb jack at full height. They drop right out. I never took the wheel off.

__________________
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel - 4x4, auto, 3.54 gears, long bed
-------------------------------------
'92 300D 2.5 Turbodiesel - sold
'83 300D Turbodiesel - 4 speed manual/2.88 diff - sold
'87 300D Turbodiesel - sold
'82 300D Turbodiesel - sold

I think the standard bilstiens would be fine for your car. That is likely what you have been driving on, and what the car originally came with. Standard doesn't mean soft, it just means its what the car came with. The HDs will firm up the ride a lot more.

__________________
Jason Priest
1999 E430
1995 E420 - retired
1986 420SEL - retired