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  #1  
Old 09-18-2009, 11:44 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: DFW / Collin County Texas
Posts: 1,882
Bought a new W210 E320 for $340!!!

For the small sum of $340 I have a new W210 E320. You read it right. That's the pittance I paid for new Sachs shocks. I eagerly picked them up after work and installed them within 3 hours. Then I set the pressure in the new-ish Michelins (5k miles) to 28/34 per the door jamb.

On the test drive, I was astounded. I guess after 180,000 miles and 12 years the original shocks were tired. I cannot believe what new shocks have done to my car - it handles like new from the factory. No more bobbing, swaying, or rocking. No more floating at high speed. No more leaning and squealing tires on turns. No more delay when braking. The car is taut, agile, and controlled. I took it to some severely sharp turns that I throttle steer through in the Miata. I think this E320 might almost keep up with it. Almost.

I am glad I went with the Sachs over the Bilstein HD. I know, I know, everyone here swears by the HDs, but in the end I just wanted the original factory ride back. From everything I read, either Bilstein Comforts or Sachs touring (what originally came on this car) would deliver that. The Sachs were available locally and were a bit less expensive (sorry Phil).

I remember the day I got this car, I cursed it. It wallowed and lunged and handled sloppily compared to my W124. I had no idea.

If you have a higher-mileage W210 (or any higher-mileage MBZ for that matter) do yourself a favor and install new shocks. You won't be sorry!

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280
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  #2  
Old 09-19-2009, 12:25 AM
pawoSD's Avatar
Dieselsüchtiger
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Posts: 15,438
I had that same experience with my W126 when I replaced all the shocks a couple years ago.....it had all original shocks on it that were 23 years old, and completely shot. With new Bilstein HD's all the way around, it rides awesome.

I second the difference new shocks make!
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  #3  
Old 09-19-2009, 09:28 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Carol Stream, Il, USA
Posts: 605
Congrats on your "new" ride. What prompted you to replace your shocks? When you pushed down on the bumper did the car continue to bounce?
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1998 Mercedes E320, 200K Miles
2001 Acura 3.2TL, 178K Miles
1992 Chevy Astro, 205K Miles
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  #4  
Old 09-19-2009, 11:24 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Walnut Creek, CA & 1,150 miles S of Key West
Posts: 4,874
Now do the sway bar links and bushings. Is ~$40 in parts for the front.

Southern - Before I replaced my shocks I could not get any bounce out of them while parked in the garage. My 350lb lil brother couldn't do more than I could at 155lbs. Freeway bounce was the give away,
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N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

Last edited by TMAllison; 09-20-2009 at 12:15 PM.
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  #5  
Old 09-19-2009, 11:47 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: DFW / Collin County Texas
Posts: 1,882
The car passed the bounce test just fine. The poor, poor handling is what prompted the shock replacement. Everyone else who drove the car (my wife included) thought it was just fine, if not a little softly sprung. But I suspected there was no way a Mercedes was designed to handle like that from the factory. My suspicions were confirmed when I replaced the shocks.

__________________
08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280
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