I have a '95 S500. I am told I need new rear shocks.

The Hydropneumatic Rear Self-Levelling shocks cost $740 a piece, while the Bilstein Heavy Duty are $160 a piece.

What am I missing here? Are the Hydropneumatic shocks worth the $500+ difference???

The hydropneumatic struts are part of the self leveling system. They also provide the height adjustment function when installed and plumbed into the hydraulic system.

Who says you need new shocks? In general you only need new 'shocks' when the rear end of your car sags. But even then there are other components to check.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

The most common components to fail are the fluid reservoir units. Every tech or other knowledgeable person I have ever talked to all say the struts very seldom ever need to be replaced. The cost of the reservoirs should be comparable or less than the basic shock price you listed of $160 each. I had mine replaced on the '93 500SEL and they were around $125 each plus labor.
One would have been easy to change but the other one is behind part of the exhaust system run, and not as easy to reach on your back. Just in case you were considering doing this yourself if this is found to be your problem.
Anyway, just be darn sure your struts are truly "bad", so I would get another opinion. And, yes, there is a huge difference between the struts and shocks as Sixto says. The price reflects that difference, but worth it IMHO.

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1997 S600 Coupe
2002 Lexus SC430
2004 Lexus RX330 (wife's car)
Owned:
1993 500 SEL
1994 E320 (wife's car)
1987 300 SDL
1978 450 SEL
1980 300 TD (wife's car)
1969 280 SL

The original shocks on my 420SEl lasted 15 years and 200,000miles. I agree with the others, it is probably another component in the rear suspension that needs attention, these shock absorbers are quite durable.

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Jason Priest
1999 E430
1995 E420 - retired
1986 420SEL - retired

Hello to everyone. I'm new here and i've never owned a W140 but i'm thinking of getting one. I am now at a stage of research just to see whether I'd be able to maintain the car. I've got a question the answer to which i've failed to find so I'd be thankful if you can find a second to write. Do all cars of the W140 series have a self leveling rear suspension? Thanks.

I believe all US S500s and S600s do. A rare option on S420s and S320s. I imagine all US C140s have it. Some or all W140s [edit] with SLS [/edit] have 4-wheel SLS vs rear wheel only on US 500- and 560SELs.

Sixto
87 300D

No. Not all of them have the self-leveling suspension. My friends S420 did not have this feature.

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RT


1984 300D---Sold
1995 E420 - 106K - Brilliant Silver Metallic/Orion Gray --- Sold
1984 300SD - 151K Manganese Brown Metallic/Mostly Black --- Sold
1982 240D - 79K - Manila Beige/Palomino---Sold

But they've all got a hydro pneumatic rear suspension? Or is that the same thing?

There is one S280 for sale and i really like it because it's got a manual transmission and i like manual transmissions a bit more that automatic ones. Does this mean it has got standard shock absorbers in the rear suspension?

Could go either way. There are Euro W123 300Ds with no options other than rear SLS.

SLS is a well designed system. Periodic fluid maintenance goes a long way towards keeping you happy and the system affordable.

Sixto
87 300D

It would be highly unlikely for a 280 to have SLS, especially a manual transmission 280. But try entering the VIN here - http://mb.neoriginal.ru/ - to see if you can get the production data on the car.