Bilstein comfort vs heavy duty shocks - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

airedale2 · #1 12-12-2007, 03:07 PM

Any one used the two that could comment on the difference between the two. currently have sachs on the back, unk on the front. Too much wallow right now. Looking at some currently.
thanks for any info

Hatterasguy · #2 12-12-2007, 03:29 PM

What kind of car are we talking about?

My LWB W126 rides like an M3 with comforts, with HD's it would probably be like a slammed Techart 911.

Bam their goes the old spine.

As far as the wallow that can't be helped 70's designs. MB did fix the wallow I drove a W220 with ABC and its always as flat as can be. ABC+air shocks+20 years of R&D fixed the ride rather nicely IMHO.

dieseldiehard · #3 12-12-2007, 03:29 PM

well, it would be nice to list your model so we can make a better recommendation
I tried HD Bilsteins on a 300D 123 chassis and found they were too stiff for my tastes but I do not drive rough country roads where the HD might have been a better choice, so I replaced them w/ comforts and am happy.
Forget KYB's and Monroe shocks.

airedale2 · #4 12-12-2007, 03:38 PM

Sorry, currently updating as we type.
It's a 300d.

#5 12-12-2007, 03:45 PM

I like the HDs on my W123 300D, but I mostly drive on decent highways. They might be a little too stiff if you have to drive on crappy roads.

pawoSD · #6 12-12-2007, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

What kind of car are we talking about?

My LWB W126 rides like an M3 with comforts, with HD's it would probably be like a slammed Techart 911.

Bam their goes the old spine.

As far as the wallow that can't be helped 70's designs. MB did fix the wallow I drove a W220 with ABC and its always as flat as can be. ABC+air shocks+20 years of R&D fixed the ride rather nicely IMHO.

Old spine? You're young! I have HD's on all 4 and mine rides like a ROCK.

Handles well too. I like it.

airedale2 · #7 12-12-2007, 03:53 PM

Anybody have experience with regular bilsteins and the "wallow effect". I mostly drive freeway.

tobybul · #8 12-12-2007, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airedale2

Anybody have experience with regular bilsteins and the "wallow effect". I mostly drive freeway.

I love

my comforts. Great ride on the 85D. If the HD is anything like a KYB, I would not want it. Thats (KYB) whats on my 84D now and its a bit harsh for me. When the time comes that I have to replace the shocks on the non-Bilsteins, am going with Bilstein comforts. But thats just me.

Jim B. · #9 12-12-2007, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airedale2

Anybody have experience with regular bilsteins and the "wallow effect". I mostly drive freeway.

I wasn't going to say anything, but I guess I will.

The Bilstein comforts are a good compromise between handling and comfort.
Most Mercedes Benz W126/W123/W124 owners generally favor them; this has been discussed on threads here and other Mercedes benz forums.

I have always used them (my 126 is lowered with eibachs)

Two freeway driving notes in this regard:

1.

Once on I-5 going to Oregon, above Lake Shasta, we were bowling along at about 70 mph on the freeway, when all of a sudden a flatbed truck ahead
began shedding empty plastic 55 gallon drums all over the highway just ahead.

I was able to steer my way back and forth through all of the instantly unfolding disaster at 70 mph without hitting anything!!!

2.

About a month ago, I was driving from San Francisco to Richmond, on a highway that had a long, reasonably gentle, about a 45 degree uphill sweeper.

I wasn't paying terribly much attention to anything when I got into the sweeper, but noticed the car was really wallowing.

Then I glanced down at the speedometer, and noticed my speed was 90 mph!!!

Buy the Bilstein "comforts".

late edit: KYB = Keep Your Bilsteins!!

winmutt · #10 12-12-2007, 04:06 PM

HDs on all four corners and you can't go wrong. Are you running after market wheels?

airedale2 · #11 12-12-2007, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

I love my comforts. Great ride on the 85D. If the HD is anything like a KYB, I would not want it. Thats whats on my 84D now and its a bit harsh for me. When the time comes that I have to replace the shocks on the non-Bilsteins, am going with comforts. But thats just me.

Do you still have wallow with your comforts?

airedale2 · #12 12-12-2007, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

HDs on all four corners and you can't go wrong. Are you running after market wheels?

Factory wheels, I just don't have anything to compare them too. A firm ride does not bother me or my wife, i just put her in a different car. I am just trying to avoid a harsh ride. But i do want to firm up the ride i have now. Not sure about sachs compared to comfort bilsteins. Wondering if the shocks aren't just worn out also.
I am used to riding in one ton trucks/heavy duty ladder trucks. Those will rattle out your fillings.
I also appreciate all your comments/input.

KAdams4458 · #13 12-12-2007, 04:28 PM

You know, as the owner of a car that really does need fresh shocks all the way around, I should really hurry up and decide which I want to buy. I'm going to go bilsteins for sure, but I don't know if I want comforts or HD. I like a good responsive suspension, but at the same time, I have to drive over crappy roads in Seattle and Tacoma often.

My little Saturn has the stiff GR2 KYB's, (The only option for spirited handling with these cars,) and polyurethane bushings all the way around. It handles incredibly well, but while driving over certain parts of I-5, I've noticed that the passenger seat vibrates so hard when empty that it is a complete blur, and resembles a scene from the movie Contact. I'm also forced to continually push both sun visors back up against the roof, while listening to the change in the rear cupholders jingle violently. If I try humming, it oscillates as if I am doing it through a rotating set of fan blades. In all honesty, it feels a lot like having a dozen angry midgets rhythmically kicking the back of my seat as I cruise over the grisly road surface at 60 MPH.

Let's just say that I don't want the HD's if the change ends up jingling in the ashtray. If they're smooth enough not to disturb my butt or my spare change, I'd prefer to use the HD's. If not, then I'll go comforts. Can anyone actually describe the two options in such a manner?

tobybul · #14 12-12-2007, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airedale2

Do you still have wallow with your comforts?

Definitions of Wallow....

...to roll oneself about in a lazy, relaxed, or ungainly manner
...To move with difficulty in a clumsy or rolling manner; flounder

If you mean this, the answer is NO!!! Although, I can say I am relaxed in my 85D with the comforts

. With my Comforts, when I go thru rough roads or pot holes, it does not bottom out and absorbs the shock very well that I am"comfort"able in the car.

I have not been on a car with HD so I cannot speak for them. But if its anything like the KYB's in my 84D, I would prefer the comforts. nuff said...

Hatterasguy · #15 12-12-2007, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Old spine? You're young! I have HD's on all 4 and mine rides like a ROCK.

Handles well too. I like it.

Handles well, compared to what a school bus! The CLK550 I was driving the other day would run rings around a W126. Its got 19in wheels with low profile tires too! I bet exit ramps that I can take in the SDL at 50-60 I could take doing over 100 in that car.

Compared to modern high end cars the W126 rides like crap.

The W126 rides a lot like the 911 I drove a few months ago, except the 911 was a balls out sports car that is 10 times faster.