How stiff is stiff?
 

I'm trying to make a decision about shocks and springs. I have a '93 300E with about 110,000 miles on it, and it's time to do new shocks. The options I'm considering:

- Keep the stock springs and go with Bilstein comfort shocks
- Sportline springs with Bilstein shocks (sport, I assume)
- Eibach springs and Bilstein sport shocks

My question concerns what each of these will do to the ride; I've searched the forum and it seems the opinions vary pretty greatly. I want to tighten up the handling and am willing to sacrifice a bit of ride comfort but don't want it to ride too harshly. What would each of these options do?

Thanks for your help.

-Mike McLaughlin

How about stock springs and Bilstein sport shocks?

Thanks for reminding me; I forgot to put that in there as something I'm considering. I was leaning toward Sportline springs, though, for the lowering effect. Would changing the spring pads have the same effect?

Yes, moving down a bump in spring pad size will accomplish the lowering.

I suggest you use stock springs with one bump lower spring pads, together with sport Bilsteins.

Or, you can do what I did on my '91 300 E and use comfort Bilstein and stock springs, go down a bump on spring pads and change to a wider and 5% less aspect ratio tire, i.e. from 195/65/15 tires to 205/60/15 -- wider and stiffer tire made a huge difference in handling.

I, however, have Sportline rims which are 7 inches in width as opposed to the 6.5 inch stock 300E rim, so not sure if you can accomplish this.

Good luck!

~Paul

__________________
'91 300E, 207k miles

How much stiffer are the sport Bilsteins, though?

And I should mention I'm planning on upgrading to 16" wheels as soon as the tires on my 15" wheels wear out. :-)

IF you use lowered springs go with the SPORT shocks!
If not stay with HD or Comfort shocks.

OK, so it sounds like sticking with the stock springs is the way to go. Now I just have to decide whether to go with the HD or comfort shocks. How much stiffer of a ride will the HD shocks give?

It's not that it's much stiffer, it just cuts motion more quickly, much more controlled of a ride, especially at freeway speeds.

As to around town, it's indeed a slight bit more busy, but not objectionably so. If you want additional control of body roll and to aid high speed stability, then go HD. If these are not a priority, but ride quality is, go comfort-a new set hardly makes for a wallowy ride.