Bilstein HD upgrade on 202 *done*
 

I should append this to my original thread but I can't find it.

Had the HDs put on yesterday (thanks eshocks.com for $309 delivered)

I thought the ride was going to be harsher. I've had 17" AMG wheels for 60k miles, and those made the ride "harsher" than the HDs. There is honestly NO discernable difference in harshness over bumps

Where the differences ARE would be in how the front end does not bob and exhibit the "Cadillac effect" (long, cushy whoofs on the interstate). It follows the road and there are no real rebounds over dips because the shock just doesn't SEEM to travel (seat of pants feeling)

The BIG surprise is how the shocks - with original springs, original "standard" swaybars - keep it flat in the curves. Body roll reduction is the most noticeable part of the upgrade. It's just amazing.

An aside, dealer gave me a loaner 206 c230 (6cyl) with Sport package. My girlfriend and I agreed that my car rides, drives, and performs better than the 203. The interiors are cheap, and my m111 has BETTER off-the-line response and pulls STRONGER than that car's 6 (not sure, m112?) and that's with a 7-speed automatic

Do I just have a good one? The ONLY things I like better about THAT particular car are the smoothness of the motor, the tightness of the shifter (you just cannot manu-shift a 202 easily), and the structure itself, which is obviously tighter. My car is far more sprightly and has better build quality than any 203 I've seen