My right rear shock is leaking oil, from where I have no clue, but figure its a sign that I need to just change the shocks all the way around.

What are the best shocks to get? Please advise.

I went with bilistein HD's on mine.

Sachs/Boge are available; I'd go with them (OEM's) if I were to change them again as they provided almost 200k of service.

__________________
Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

My OEM shocks were completely gone by 135k. I replaced them with Bilstein sports and I'm quite happy with them. The car has other suspension issues but the shocks are great. The only thing I noticed was that the new shocks produce a knocking sound on rebound when going over speed bumps. I believe this is due to the increased stiffness.

As I go through the front end on this car, I may replace the upper bushings with polyurethane to try to mitigate the noise.

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

Evan - Is the knock you hear at full extension or when compressed?

I ask because I tried Sports on mine and they were 1/2" - 1" too short to get bolted up. Wondering if yours are jerking to a stop at full extension.

__________________
Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

The knock comes at extension but the shock isn't bottoming, it happens as soon as the shocks start damping the upward motion. I know what you mean about the shorter shocks but they bolted in just fine - though, yes, you are correct, they are a little shorter than stock.

The old shocks knocked some too but not as loudly as these new ones.

__________________
-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

Does a 99 TD have SLS?

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

thank god no

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2005 SL65
1999 E300
1995 E300
1994 SL320
1988 560SL
1987 300TD
1982 300D
1955 300SL

Bilsteins

No.

I went with Bilstein HD's too. A little bit firmer than stock, but still a decent ride.

__________________
Ed
-1984 Mercedes 190D 2.2 5-speed gray market(bought@30,000 miles) (Sold back to original owner@170,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes E300DT (245,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes S500 Grand Edition (80,000 miles)