What are the physicial and performance differences between the front and rear shocks on MBZ chassis 123?

Thank you

Not sure you are going to find anyone who knows. If you go with Bilsteins then probably the only difference is the way they are mounted if any. I have never paid that much attention to it. Just install front shocks on the front and rear shocks on the rear.

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Jim

I have to go with Jim. Who knows and who cares. Just install em. Trust me. You can't get them mixed up.

Peter

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

The front shock has a saddle mount for the bottom with two bolts sticking out the bottom, the rear has a saddle with two holes for the screws that attach it to the rear control arm.

I don't know if they are valved differently, it's not a problem since they cannot be interchanged due to mount differences. Cost is nearly identical, I think.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Keep in mind that if you replace just the front or the rear, you'll likely need to replace them all. The car will ride poorly with one set of older shocks.

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Current:
2014 VW Tiguan SEL 4Motion 43,000 miles.

2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport (wife's).

Past:
2006 Jetta TDI 135,970 miles. Sold Nov. '13.
1995 E-320 Special Edition. 220,200 miles. Sold Sept. '07.
1987 190-E 16 valve. 153,000 miles. Sold Feb. '06.
1980 300-D 225,000 miles. Donated to the National Kidney Foundation.
1980 240-D manual, 297,500 miles. Totaled by inattentive driver.