Hi all,
In looking at the service records that came with my 83 300TD, I noted that the front shocks and springs were last replaced in 2004, less than 40,000 miles ago. The shocks are Bilstein comforts (1233200030's). The only thing my mechanic found weak on the car when he inspected it were the front shocks, he said they bounced a bit and felt soft. But at less than 40,000 miles, and with recent springs up there too, I expect I shouldn't have to worry about having to replace them soon?

The records also show that the front coil springs had been replaced in 1998, about 80,000 miles ago. I would have thought that coil springs would last longer than that i.e. 40,000 miles)...

Thanks.

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1983 300TD 240K - 1982 240D 215K - 1996 Dodge Cummins 70K

I've seen shocks fail in less than ten hours before. I've also seen ones decades old that were still working. I've seen springs fail in under 5000 miles. I've also seen them go the life a vehicle without needing replacement.

Sounds like you have one or two bad shocks. It happens. From the description it doesn't sound like there's anything wrong with your springs.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

Too many variables to make a prediction. Road and driving conditions vary. Most all of my MB driving has been on smooth roads at highway speed, so my shocks live an easy life. I have run bilstien shocks as much as a few hundred thousand miles. Rough roads and stop and go driving could decrease that number considerably.

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

Thanks for the thoughts. Indeed, many variables.... Previous owner (I just acquired the car) used it mainly to drive to Florida in the winter (car is in the Northeast). So mainly highway miles, with a fair amount of city driving there and here (to and from the golf courses, mostly!). Car was not driven much in the last 3 years, sat mostly in the garage after he bought a VW wagon for Florida trips. I don't get a sense this is a car that's been driven hard or on bad roads. Anyway, I hate to replace something that might still be good.

On another note related to ride, the previous owner had 43psi in front and rear tires (fairly new Michelin all-seasons that indicate 45psi max on the sidewall). I've reduced it in the front to 35 and rear to 38 or so. I still feel most bumps and cracks in the road. Is this too high a tire pressure for this car? (door jamb tag specifies 28 front 36 rear I believe).

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1983 300TD 240K - 1982 240D 215K - 1996 Dodge Cummins 70K

i expect bilsteins to last almost forever. i put hd's on the front of both my mercedes and my volvo. i haven't gotten around to buying the backs. lol.

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1982 300sd from craigslist $800 greased on one tank with NO CONVERSION in the Hot Texas Sun. (currently dead & awaiting engine damage investigation and/or longblock swap)
new daily: '03 vw 5speed jetta tdi wagon. bagged&chipped

One of the factory-original Bilsteins on my '95 E300 started to leak at close to 200,000 miles so I replaced all four. The fronts, once removed, I could tell were getting weak and the rebound buffers were beat to heck. Another example, the original Boge shocks on my '96 E300 were still good at 249,000 but I replaced them with Bilsteins anyway. Amazing how long they last although there are always exceptionS as others have written.

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

If they truly have only 40K on them, they should not be shot. I only start thinking of replacing them at 100K or if they start leaking....that said in recent years the bilstetins I have bought for my dodge truck only seem to last about 50K which is double the other brands available.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Thanks for the feedback folks. I'll stick with my Bilsteins then, unless they start leaking or show other signs of severe wear.

I also put Bilsteins on my Dodge 3/4 ton truck a couple of years ago, and am glad to hear they last longer than other brands. The Ram Cummins have a reputation for wearing out front suspension components.

Cheers!

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1983 300TD 240K - 1982 240D 215K - 1996 Dodge Cummins 70K

I replace mine when they leak or when I start feeling them not working well anymore. I've noticed in several cars that the right front will fail completely while the left front is still working fairly well. I replace them in pairs.

As for the question on tire pressure, the ideal pressure for a given application will vary depending on speed, load, and the driver's priorities. For max fuel economy, run max pressure. For best ride quality, use the lowest pressure that still provides acceptable handling and doesn't overheat the tire (TRA yearbook is helpful for figuring that last bit out). For best handling, it will vary somewhat with track conditions and the only way to get it dialed in really well is with trial and error. At present I'm running around 37 all around but getting ready to start messing with stagered tire pressures to see if I can tweak the handling to my liking a bit more.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

Thanks Skippy, for the advice on optimal tire pressure. I'll experiment with pressure, handling, comfort. Much appreciated.

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1983 300TD 240K - 1982 240D 215K - 1996 Dodge Cummins 70K

Nobody has mentioned the "post suspension part replacement" wheel alignment.

After replacing what very well could have been the OEM shocks on my '89 W124, I consumed a rear tire in about 2 weeks, because the suspension geometry was so different.

Michigan roads will destroy shocks in about 5-7 years depending on where you have to drive.....all depends on the conditions.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)