installed gabriel vst shocks 91 300 sel - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

compu_85 · #16 10-13-2010, 12:38 PM

I'm very unhappy with the Bilstein TC shocks I put on my 99 Jetta. They are hard as a rock and every small bump gets transmitted into the car. They have held up though, 110,000 miles later they are still too firm

A friend had Monroe shocks on his 98 Jetta, I liked the way it rode much, much better. I will probably put a set of Monroes in the rear of my SDL soon...

-Jason

jhodg5ck · #17 10-13-2010, 12:47 PM

too firm? haven't had that problem before :-P

MattBelliveau · #18 10-13-2010, 12:53 PM

I bought Gabriels for my w123 a long time ago. I ended up giving them away/selling them (I can't remember). I figured shocks are something that will affect the ride of ANY car more than just bouncing, and that I should go top of the line in that aspect. Ended up doing the Bielstiens all around.

jhodg5ck · #19 10-13-2010, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattBelliveau

I bought Gabriels for my w123 a long time ago. I ended up giving them away/selling them (I can't remember). I figured shocks are something that will affect the ride of ANY car more than just bouncing, and that I should go top of the line in that aspect. Ended up doing the Bielstiens all around.

Yup.

gmercoleza · #20 10-14-2010, 11:18 AM

I think it depends on the car. On my W126 I installed the cheapies. But on the W210 I went with OEM Sachs. They were only $335 with lifetime warranty, and the car rides like new. Bilsteins were about the same price, but I figured the first set of Sachs lasted 180,000 miles, so why mess with what works.

jhodg5ck · #21 10-14-2010, 11:30 AM

210 rides like a VW...if anything I'd go the other way around...:-P

sptt · #22 10-14-2010, 03:34 PM

Could the ride difference have to do with the weight of these 124's compared to other cars the same size which are much lighter so the Bilsteins will feel firmer on those? I had to push my 300E one day and it felt like I was pushing my 21 ft boat on a trailer up the driveway! These cars are built like tanks. Maybe the Bilsteins compensate for that better than the others???

Hit Man X · #23 10-14-2010, 11:52 PM

W126 = Bil HD. Do not accept anything else.

rayhennig · #24 10-15-2010, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmercoleza

but I figured the first set of Sachs lasted 180,000 miles, so why mess with what works.

Quite right.

Bilstein seems to be a magic word to many but Sachs is quite as good and is very often original equipment. My Sachs sportlines were changed at 275 K Kms.

Got Bilsteins now but that was purely because they came with the Bilstein springs.

RayH

compu_85 · #25 10-15-2010, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

W126 = Bil HD. Do not accept anything else.

Do they ride too firmly? I realize this is a hard question considering the cars are so old now, but how do they compare to what it left the factory with?

-J

francotirador · #26 10-15-2010, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

Do they ride too firmly? I realize this is a hard question considering the cars are so old now, but how do they compare to what it left the factory with?

-J

I put Bilstein Comfort shocks all the way around on my 1990 300SE. They're what was installed on the car as original equipment. I know that because I removed the originals myself. Only one front shock was leaking when I replaced all 4. The car was very tight and its ride and cornering were already very good before the shock change. I noticed somewhat of a difference, but not much. That's just to say that the original Bilsteins held up very good and I really didn't need to change all 4. However, since they were 20 years old I did it.

Hit Man X · #27 10-15-2010, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

Do they ride too firmly? I realize this is a hard question considering the cars are so old now, but how do they compare to what it left the factory with?

-J

No, the ride is fantastic with stock style springs. A member here went for a spin in my 300SEL with them and was very pleased with the quality. Car has new suspension rear and most bits done up front. The car is far less floaty with the HD shock.

I have them on my 300SEL and SDL. I put Comforts on the 560 to match the dampening characteristics of the SLS accumulators only. That is the only reason I put Comfort on the 560. The SD is going to get some when I go through the rest of that front end in the spring.

The compression and rebound numbers are different with the HD v Comfort. Drop springs need a different shock, a Sport style that Bil offers is what you would want... something matched to the lower ride height (changes piston) as well as changes, once again, the compression and rebound tailored to the spring.

You want a fairly stiff ride? Come for a ride in my LWB F350 unloaded.

But I attribute that big time to the crappy stock shocks. Edelbrock IAS in that soon.