Sacrilege???
 

I am thinking of going to Pep Boys and having them change my shocks and struts, and all they carried were Gabriels. What do you think about these brands? I don't plan on autocrossing the car, so handling would not be the ultimate issue... it would be nice to have better handling, but I could also settle for good ride and even tire wear. The car has 150,000 miles, btw. ;)

It is doable but do not expect them to go 150k miles. If possible - try to stick with the Bilsteins. I have never had any work done at Pep Boys but I would recommend you try to find a good independent MB mechanic if you do not plan on doing the work yourself.

Check the fatlane or partsshop on this site.

The factory shocks are really not a ridiculous cost. I'd rather have factory shocks than ones from pep boys.

Alon

Sounds like going to Pep Boys ain't the way to go, huh? It's just that of the two cars I have, the 300CE is the designated commuter car. I'd rather get by on the CE than spend more than I have to, when the difference in quality and performance (and functionality) is narrow. I admit that Bilsteins would probably improve handling dramatically, but I'll tell you that with the leaky shocks and the tired struts, this MB still rails (and sways:) ). I can almost bet that with new shocks, regardless of brand, will improve ride and handling some more. I just thought that there were some people out here who have had some experience with Gabriel shocks. And yes, I doubt they will last another 150,000 miles. Anyway, more opinions are greatly appreciated.

I would agree with ashman get the Bilsteins they are not that much more money . You would be lucky to get 30,000 miles out of the Gabriel . Cheap parts are a false economy look at the labor charges change shocks three times in 100,000 miles or once .

These are listed prices on fastlane for your car. I believe price is per shock/strut not sets of two. Not sure on that though.

Rears
Brand Price
Bilstein $72.00
KYB $54.51
Boge $72.00
Shock $68.94 - not sure on this it just said shock absorber... but price is a few dollars less than bilsteins


Fronts
Chassis: -A 731455
Bilstein $119.00
Boge $111.83
KYB $74.26

Chassis A 731456-
Bilstein $169.31

These are for the regular shocks, not the sport, comfort or heavy duty ones.
Look at your chassis number to verify which ones for your car for the front struts.

I personally would go with bilsteins in sport version for my own car, but mine is lowered with stiffer shorter springs also, so sport shocks would compliment the springs for me.

Alon

I have a set of Bilstein shocks for the rear, brand new in the box, if your interested. Think they will fit, my 300CE is a 90, not sure what the diference is between 89 and 90.

I installed a Sportline suspension and dont need them. Never got to install em. They are verry easy to install, only takes an hour or so.

Going to put them on Ebay, but if you are interested let me know

Thanks,

$169 !!!! Is that for the whole set installed?

In the distant past I have used Gabriels on one car and KYB on another, and was not very happy with them. I don't know about their current quality, but you get what you pay for, parts AND labor. Do a search for PEP BOYS in the archives as well for many comments on experiences. Remember, your daily commuter is the car where your life is resting most of the time. Personally, I want the best tires, suspension, brakes, and steering I can buy before I worry about anything else on my cars, and my tire/suspension/brake shop ranks right up there with my doctor when it comes to my health. Good luck on your search.

You are talking about the '91 supercharged Miata......Right????

I am not sure if prices are for sets or for single units. a quick call to phil at fastlane/partsshop should clear that up for you.

Alon

If your keeping the car for more than a year, I'd go with the better parts. There is nothing worse than doing a job a second time.
Remember the saying you didn't have time to do it right the first time but you have time to do it over.

my .02 your $$:)

I put Gabriels on my 220D and I don't like them -- valved like typcial American shocks, which mean very hard ride and more "bounce" than I like.

I'm not sure I can rescue the old thing, so I've not changed them, but if I do restore it, it will get Bilsteins.

Peter

Thanks for the numerous replies thus far. No Dale, they're not for the Miata. I've been generous when it comes to my Miata, primarily because I had that car first. The car has Koni adjustables on Eibach pro-kit springs... although I should have gone with a coil-over set-up. But then again, I only auto-X and have yet to go on a road course.

This may sound as a surprise to most of you but I am not in love with my MB. I got this car as a favor to my brother, who couldn't afford it anymore (he bought it used). It wasn't maintained well (although it looks immaculate on the outside), so I have had nothing but headaches and heartaches with it. My girlfriend doesn't like it because it's missing two more doors :( . So far, I've spent well over $3000 in maintenance, and I've only had the car for little over a year.

Don't get me wrong. I think the car is beautiful, but it's just so hard to maintain, it's like I have another GF on the side... hehehe.

BTW, the car came with H&R springs, so the stance of the car is low and aggresive. It also came with 16 inch E-class rims (newer model), and looks pretty good.

I'll be personally working underneath the car this weekend, replacing the flex discs and differential mounts. I may not be in love with the car, but I do like it, and it is elegant to drive around. A lot of people think I'm loaded.... :D

As far as shocks.... what about the KYBs??? Are they any good?