W201/W124 Bilstein HD part numbers

[volosong]

Just purchased a 190D and wanted to know if I could put my Bilstein HD struts on my 300CE onto the 190D. I can't.

Bilstein numbers from an on-line PDF file hosted by a suspension vendor

W124
front F4-V36-0361-H0
rear F4-B36-1385-H0 (the number on my box, current catalog shows ...H1)

W201
front F4-V36-0362-H0
rear F4-B36-1384-H0

[ds190]

Originally Posted by volosong

Just purchased a 190D and wanted to know if I could put my Bilstein HD struts on my 300CE onto the 190D. I can't.

You can't because the part numbers don't match, or because they physically won't fit?

If you're going to replace the struts on the 124 and throw the 124 HD's away, I would experiment with putting them on the 190D. The 124 and 201 HD's are very very physically similar, they might well fit on the 190, and the ride might not be too harsh

[volosong]

Originally Posted by ds190

You can't because the part numbers don't match, or because they physically won't fit?

If you're going to replace the struts on the 124 and throw the 124 HD's away, I would experiment with putting them on the 190D. The 124 and 201 HD's are very very physically similar, they might well fit on the 190, and the ride might not be too harsh

I'm assuming that because the Bilstein part numbers are different, that they are different struts/shocks. Without having them side-by-side and a lack of specs available on-line, it is difficult to tell the size differences. Then again, there may be internal differences due to the different weights of the respective autos they are designed to fit.

I'm most likely selling the CE and wondered if I could save a few bucks by putting the Bilsteins on the 190D. The original struts/shocks would go back onto the coupe. They have been sitting in the garage for quite a few years now.

Then again, the 190D is so awfully slow, painfully so, that I might just keep the coupe. The 190D is the perfect inner city, urban car, but not very well suited for long distance driving, especially in hilly terrain during rush hours. I'd forgotten how slow and underpowered diesels are. My last one was a stick 240D that I got rid of about fifteen years ago.

[babymog]

When I bought a set of Konis for the 201, the same part number Koni showed for the 124. I believe that they are the same dimensions but possibly different damping for the additional weight of the 124 (about 400# IIRC).

[JonL]

Originally Posted by volosong

Then again, the 190D is so awfully slow, painfully so, that I might just keep the coupe. The 190D is the perfect inner city, urban car, but not very well suited for long distance driving, especially in hilly terrain during rush hours. I'd forgotten how slow and underpowered diesels are. My last one was a stick 240D that I got rid of about fifteen years ago.

Man, I resemble that remark!
I love my 190D. Plenty fast enough for me. Much faster than the Peugeot 504Ds I used to drive in the '80s.

[babymog]

He might have a 601. My 602 turbo 190D was pretty quick.

[volosong]

Originally Posted by babymog

He might have a 601. My 602 turbo 190D was pretty quick.

Yeah, 601 engine. The 2.2 liter. '85 model. Good looking machine. Original owner took good care of it. Looks pretty much brand new, inside and out. Does fine on the freeway, unless I'm at slow speed and trying to go up a grade. Otherwise, as fine of a cruiser as any Mercedes is. Going over the mountain for work commute...forget it! (Antelope Valley to Pasadena) Thank goodness for the manual transmission. Helps a lot, and is fun to drive.