I noticed a big difference in costs in shocks listed in Fastlane for the mentioned car. Has anyone ever used KYB shocks before and how does the ride and longevity of the shock compare to Bilsteins?

__________________
2001 ML320
1987 560SL
1970 280SE
1965 230SL

Do a search, there has been many a discussion regarding Bilstein vs. other. The general consensus is go with the Bilsteins regardless of the extra cost, it'll save you in the long run.

I bought my Bilsteins for around $65 each from:

www.thebenzbin.com

good luck

AARON ROCHARD

1976 230.4 W115

I put KYBs on my 1972 250 years ago and on a friends 1987 300SE recently. The KYBs are much stiffer than the Bilsteins. My friend likes his KYBs. I tolerated mine for several years until the front KYB bottom plates started to loosen and rattle. I'm switching back to Bilsteins.

Happy Motoring,
Mark

__________________
DrDKW

Immediately after I bought my '70 280SE I put four new BOGE shocks on it and have been very pleased with the results. They ride softer than Bilsteins, and on an S-Class that's just right. I had BOGE shocks on my '83 300D (since sold) and hated the ride, way too soft. If I'd have kept the car, I would have put Bilsteins on it for sure. BOGE shocks are about $20 cheaper per piece than the Bilsteins are, but don't let that detract you. BOGE makes a very fine product, including the $700 hydraulic struts on the 6.9.

__________________
Regards,
Aaron

Aaron, how ya been? I would like to know all the juicy details about your 70' 280se. Can you elaborate on this car for me? Thanks!

Happy Holiday!


later

__________________
Current stable......
17' Rogue SV 70k
11’ Saab 9-5 NG 94k
10’ e550 4matic 185k

sold
02' e320 210k
00' e430 167k
01' e320 171k (regret sale)
91' 300d 2.5t 300k (sold to ecoofidaho)
79' 240d 177k (old yellow my avatar)
87' 300d 169k (junk but fast)
85' 300tdt 261k (RBM parts delivery)
85' 300dt 68k (one owner cream puff)
82' 240d 250k
84' 300dt 198k (sold to diesel don)
91' 190e 2.3 61k
88' 260e 140k

Heya Joe!

Hope you and yours are having a wonderful holiday! I snuck into the den to hop on the computer for a bit to escape the family (you all know how that goes)

Anyhow, you asked me about my 280SE. I'll do my best to fill you in on her..

It's DB268 Dark Green with Palomino MB-Tex interior. Excellent condition throughout. Before I bought it, the car was totally refinished in the original color (Spies-Hecker original paint) and the engine was rebuilt top to bottom. It's got the automatic with the column change (I'd trade it for a four on the floor any day), and power windows but no central locking. I have been considering purchasing a 4.5 parts car and snatching all the vacuum equipment out of it to retrofit central locking to my car. Maybe come spring...I've got enough projects right now.

When I bought the car, I put new shocks on it, new tires (Yokohama Avid H4s), a new OE Mercedes exhaust (with factory chrome tips of course), all new door seals, new trunk seal, new front and rear windscreen seals, a new water pump, new belts and spark plugs, and changed all fluids and filters. The car had preiously been serviced at James Motor Company in Lexington, Kentucky and had obviously been well taken care of. I recently put a new driver's door window regulator in it (the window began slipping towards the top--tell tale signs that the teeth were worn on the old regulator). Of course, the regulator I removed was the original one so I couldn't complain! 31 years is a long time for any part to be in service! In the springtime, I am looking at a front end rebuild (kingpins, control arms & bushings, trunions, subframe mounts, etc..) For now, I put two new tie rods on it and aligned it, so it will be fine till then. My next "to-do" on my list is to repair the inoperable blower motor, which I am tearing into next week. The car also has the BEHR air conditioning, but I need to replace the compressor clutch bearing and install a new high side hose (I have the new one in the trunk).

The interior is spotless. Another testament to the incredible longevity of MB-Tex! I installed a later Becker Mexico Casette and removed the old non-working Europa unit, I also put a new Hirschmann antenna on it. The carpets are original and in fine shape, as are the door panels, headliner, etc...I also had a pair of 1" New Zealand sheepskin seat covers custom tailored for the front seats, which I will install this week, once I'm finished putting the tranny back in my 6.9. Springtime also will mean the refinishing of all the interior wood. I have a friend here who is a woodworker and has offered to help me tackle it. Oh, and I also had a new original MB windshield installed as the old one was hit by a stone on the freeway and began to crack.

All the brightwork is in good shape and the car has the "bundt cake" alloy wheels on it (I prefer them to hubcaps any day). Oh, and last but not least, no vintage Mercedes of mine would be complete without a Grateful Dead sticker on the rear glass!

Here's a pic I took of the car at the shop I work for off and on down in Cincinnati. It's not the best pic, but until the snow melts, I'm not going outside for any photo shoots!

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
Regards,
Aaron

Grateful Dead of course! Souinds andlookslike a nice car! I was asking because I like the 68-73 280-300se-sel more than any olderMB. I want to buy onebut I do not know all of the things to look out for whenchoosing one. Some are priced so cheap and run great!Like new! I don't get that. Some bring thebig bucks!

I personally want one with the 6 or 4.5in a Se configuration because I like the shorter wheelbase. I prefer excellent interior over aperfact exterior. Bad paint or less than perfect paint does not bother me and a little rust(no rot) is not a big issue either. Anyway if you ever think about letting her go I might be interested one day. Probably be a few months though. I am working on my old 190e and want to get it completed first.

Take care and happy new year!

Joe

ps- where did you 93' 2.8 go?

__________________
Current stable......
17' Rogue SV 70k
11’ Saab 9-5 NG 94k
10’ e550 4matic 185k

sold
02' e320 210k
00' e430 167k
01' e320 171k (regret sale)
91' 300d 2.5t 300k (sold to ecoofidaho)
79' 240d 177k (old yellow my avatar)
87' 300d 169k (junk but fast)
85' 300tdt 261k (RBM parts delivery)
85' 300dt 68k (one owner cream puff)
82' 240d 250k
84' 300dt 198k (sold to diesel don)
91' 190e 2.3 61k
88' 260e 140k

Joe,

I must say you are quite observant! I just sold the '93 2.8 two weeks ago. Right now we are in the middle of closing a deal on a '99 ML320. A local dealer has it for sale so I went and checked it out and everything looked good. There are a couple minor issues to take care of, but it's still under warranty. We have a '94 Cherokee but it's growing tired and is beginning to burn alot of oil, so we decided the ML would make a good winter replacement. Of course I'm not about to stop driving the 280SE for an ML! I was thinking an ML430 would be a better choice (for towing a car trailer) but perhaps the V6 can cope with it ok. I will look into that further. Have a good one, I'm off to the MB store to do paperwork!! Ugh!


P.S.-- I will keep you in mind if I decide to sell the 280SE. You wouldn't want it right now anyways, no heat! Of course that will be rectified next week!

__________________
Regards,
Aaron