rear shocks - Sachs or Bilsteins
 

Replacing rear shocks on the '83 300SD
Trying to decide between Sachs or Bilsteins
Any recommendations of 1 being better than the other?

Bilsteins

MB used Sachs as OEM when they built these cars....thats what was on mine when I took off the ORIGINAL :eek: shocks a couple weeks ago. I replaced them with Bilstein HD's though.

Really? I thought the Bilsteins were OEM. Mine are pretty well shot at 240k miles.

The 99 had Sachs/Boge's on it when they were changed to Bilistiens at 195k.

Folks talk them down, but, they seem to hold up reasonably well.

Can't go wrong with either one.

Very happy with the Bilsteins Comfort on my 85D. But because I was lazy to order and wait for delivery, I'm trying AZ's Gabriel shocks on the 84D. I figured I can return them them if I don't like them. Plus they're lifetime warranty.

I put them on last night and I noticed they seem to be riding high. I only had the right side on. Still working on the left side. Am doing the ball joints too s'why its taking more time. So, haven't test driven the car yet.

Finished the ball joint and got the Gabriels in. They are not bad actually. Softer ride than previous shocks that PO put in from Carquest. Don't know what brand they are except it had Carquest decal on it. It road pretty stiff.

For $20 a piece, I think I'll keep them on.

you got the shocks for twenty bucks a piece?

DK

Holy cow....my billsteins were like 3.5x that price...each! :eek: :o

Bilstein; if you can afford it.


my fronts have over 400 k on them, and need to be replaced.

AZ sells the Gabriels for $19.99 ea lifetime wty. Yes, Bilsteins are very good. I have them on my 85D. Like I said above, was just lazy to order and wait so I decided to try these Gabriels and I must say they are good. Lets see how long they'll last. I'm guessing at least 50k miles. Sears put Gabriels on my Caravan 60k miles ago and they're still good.

I'll take a pic later.

Just put Gabriels on my 82 300D 2 weeks ago. 210,000 miles and I'm pretty sure I pulled the original Sachs off. Gas charge in rears was totally gone and one would not retact more than half way. Gas charge onthe fronts was only about half extention. Fronts and rears almost no dampning left just push or pull the whole length. Anyway the new Gabriels are somewhere between the comfort and HD shock in stiffness. At $20 each with a lifetime warr. I can change them every 2 years and feel good about it. AZ had them in stock Seemed like a good deal we'll see.

Were you able to get Gabriels from AZ for the rears too?

Gabriels
 

I put Gabriels on the fronts of the 84D and have had it on for over a week now. Still evaluating it... not sure if I like it. Feels kinda mushy. No comparison to the soft ride of the 85D with Bilsteins. I'll give it a month. Might put back the KYB's I took off.