Need new shocks on my 560SEC. Can't decide if want Bilstien regular or heavy duty or KYB adjustable. I'm a little afraid of Bilstien heavy duty because while I can appreciate good handling and control I don't want it to ride like a Corvette. Advice Appreciated.
Tom

KYB's are stiff. I do not like the ride. My mechanic also states he hates them too and Bilstein is the only way to go. Also, I have only had them two years and one has already blown out it's " shock juice" all over the place and makes the car ride even worse.

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1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

I Have the Bilstein Sports on my W210 and they are great..Decent ride..

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MBENZNL.com

I believe Bilstein makes 3 basic types; comfort, HD, and sport, in that order of stiffness. I put the comfort on my 300SE, and they felt exactly like the OEM shocks. One leaked after about 5 years, and I sent it back and they replaced it free.

DG

I had a set of KYB on an Opel Manta back in the 1980's and they did not last a year. I do drive pretty hard, but I thought they would do better.

I then put a set on a 240D and they lasted about two years. Anyone who has a 240D knows you can't drive them hard. The KYB rode great when they were new and the price was very affordable, but I have just never gotton any long term use out of them.

I have never had any trouble with Bilstines or Konis, but you do pay for them up front!

Pooka

Bilstein does indeed make three shock types but not for every car. It's a rare model that gets the choice of all three.

http://www.bilstein.com/305bilsteinapplicationguide.pdf

That's a bummer. I just put two new KYBs on my front end. I like the stiff ride, but the longevity reported by other users is a bit of a worry.

Now I have a real dilemma - what do I put on the rear?

Sheesh.

-tp

Thanks for the info. I was leaning toward KYB's but, you've certainly talked me out of that. I' going with regular Bilstiens. I love this car!

Very good decision! Thats what I was going to recommend, especially for that car.

I am soon going to get some for the front of my car.

Someone had put HD Monroe shocks on my old 190D and in my opinion, the ride was very firm and harsh. Had I kept it, I was going to install the Bilstien comforts, but I needed a larger car, so I sold it and bought a gen II W126. I am not sure if the new owner changed them or not.

I have tried kyb and found them to only last about thirty or forty thousand miles.

The bilsteins however are nearly impossible to wear out, lasting a hundred thou and more. I have used the standard and the hd. I cannot really tell much difference between them.

Great shocks. I have them on my wifes pt cruiser and my big dodge now. It totally transformed both vehicles. The truck rides really nicely now and with the pos oe shocks it was a bouncy sob.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

On my last Lexus LS400, someone had installed KYB GR-2 on the back. The ride was very harsh and not Lexus-like. I had OEM Toyota struts installed and it rode like a luxury car again. I guess it was just the type of struts they were.

The other rear KYB blew out on my car last night. I guess its shocks again after two years.

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1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

KYB = Keep Your Bilsteins!

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

I love my Bilstein HD shocks on the SDL. On a heavy car, they are the way to go. The ride is still Mercedes like (not Caddy wallowing, but not too harsh) and the handling is great. I would put them on an SEC in a heartbeat. I think Dee8go has them on his SEC and I am sure Johnhef has them on his. Ask them for input.

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"I have no convictions ... I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy"

Current
Monika '74 450 SL
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Scarlett 2014 Jeep Cherokee
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Gone
'74 Jeep CJ5
'97 Jeep ZJ Laredo
Rudolf ‘86 300SDL
Bruno '81 300SD
Fritzi '84 BMW
'92 Subaru
'96 Impala SS
'71 Buick GS conv
'67 GTO conv
'63 Corvair conv
'57 Nomad

I need shocks in the rear to replace the blown KYB's. So you suggest HD's? I was pondering this because its too expensive to change my mind.

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1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual