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  #1  
Old 09-15-2006, 11:37 AM
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Location: DFW / Collin County Texas
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I Did the Unthinkable - Gabriel VST Gas Shocks on W126

I'm gonna get a lot of grief from this, but my flame suit is on and ready. Replaced all 4 blown shocks on my W126 with lifetime Gabriel VST Ultra gas shocks from AutoZone. $19.99 apiece - total was around $86. Installed them in 3 hours start to finish (easy job).

The car handled like a sailboat on the open seas before replacing the shocks. Now it is like a new car, no kidding. Very tight and controlled. I took it on a winding road with lots of potholes and a 55mph speed limit afterwards, and the transformation is nothing short of breathtaking. If you own a cheap daily driver and are tough enough to take the certain bashing you are bound to get from the Bilstein loyalists here, I highly recommend these $19.99 shocks. I paid $800 for the car and it is my daily driver - to date I have only about $1100 in the car total (including the purchase price). So I couldn't see dropping $325+ for the Bilsteins. And I figured if I was willing to do $130 for the KYBs then why not just go all the way to the bottom and pick Gabriel? I have used Gabriels in my VW and W114 in the past with excellent results despite what others here may say.

Comparing against my W124 with Bilstein Comforts... well that isn't really fair since they are completely different cars. The W124 is downright athletic and sticks to the road with excellent feel. The 380SE with the Gabriels, however, are quite close in handling to the 560SEL with the ALS in the rear and Bilstein comforts up front - I kid you not. The Gabriels may lean a little more in very hard turns compared to the Bilstein/ALS setup, but I think that may be more a function of the ALS. They ride a little softer too, but again the ALS may have something to do with that.

I know you get what you pay for, and I struggle to understand how a company can turn a profit selling shocks for $19.99. The only thing I can think of is that the Gabriels may not be as durable or long-lived. But the lifetime warranty makes up for that in my book, since labor to install these things is almost nonexistant.

Interesting observation, when I removed the old shocks they did not have any oil leaks and were actually harder to compress than the new Gabriels. So I believe the bench compression test can be misleading. Rebound of the shock (as opposed to compression) may have more to do with ride control and handling.

A couple pics of the car:





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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
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  #2  
Old 09-15-2006, 11:44 AM
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Sls?

So, the SLS was not around for the 1986 model year? I thought the 560SEL had the self leveling system on the rear.

Oh, BTW, that is a very nice looking car. I guess the Texas climate has kept it pretty much rust-free.
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Last edited by Dee8go; 09-15-2006 at 11:45 AM. Reason: Amending
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  #3  
Old 09-15-2006, 11:45 AM
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Yes, the 560SEL has ALS (or SLS, not sure what the proper term is). I replaced the shocks on the 380SE. I only cited the 560SEL for purposes of comparison.
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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
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75 W114 280
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  #4  
Old 09-15-2006, 11:48 AM
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I have been considering replacing the front shocks on my 86 560 with the Gabriels. I have used them for quite a while on american cars I work on, and they have always been fine, (better than the basic monroe, anyway). I don't want to spend 300.00 + on any set of shocks, so it makes perfect sense to me.
Thanks, Dave.
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  #5  
Old 09-15-2006, 12:14 PM
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Thanks for the writeup; I certaily will consider this when working on my next SL; $200 saved could do a lot elsewhere.
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  #6  
Old 09-15-2006, 12:56 PM
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While I like to keep the original parts on my car there's nothing wrong with taking advantage of a good deal on a replacement part thats designed to wear out. Im glad you did the writeup on them as I have sometimes considered alternate parts but have been afraid to try them because of the hassle of replacing them again.

Many of the "purists" on the board swear by their Michelin tires but I can't stand the way that they make a car ride. I have them on my 140 now and can't wait for them to wear out so I can stick Continental's BACK on the car.

Perhaps the same might be true with shocks.
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  #7  
Old 09-15-2006, 01:10 PM
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Yikes!! Did you really pay only $800 for that 126? I know photos can be deceptive, but that sure looks like a very nice car. Good job! Is it as nice as it looks?

230/8
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  #8  
Old 09-15-2006, 01:26 PM
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It is much much nicer than it looks in person. I bought it from a fellow forum member - he just ran out of time and interest, fortunately for me. He had just done the timing chain and guides, motor mounts and shocks, and a whole bunch of other stuff (long list). Idles like glass - you can hardly tell the engine is running. All I have put into it is a fuel pump relay and I also redyed the leather as it was worn to brown and suede-like in some spots. I have been driving it for about 6,000 miles and it's a great car, with cold A/C! I get envious compliments from coworkers all the time.

I'm sure I could sell it for a lot more.
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97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280
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  #9  
Old 09-15-2006, 01:41 PM
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i think you made the right choice in shocks....

no sense dumping money that you don't have to....

i have been fortunate to pick bilsteins off of e-bay auctions for about that price... but only the rears....

i do believe in Michelins however....
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  #10  
Old 09-15-2006, 04:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 230/8 View Post
Yikes!! Did you really pay only $800 for that 126? I know photos can be deceptive, but that sure looks like a very nice car. Good job! Is it as nice as it looks?

230/8
I'm jealious.


I paid 2500 for mine, and it's not even half as good looking.
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Old 09-15-2006, 04:31 PM
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Winding road? DFW? Now we know you are pulling our legs!

That does look like one heck of an $800 car.

- JimY
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  #12  
Old 09-15-2006, 04:37 PM
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Yeah, I'm fairly certain I could probably get $3500 or so for it, largely due to the records on the timing chain and guides as well as a bunch of other things that are new. Also, one-owner (well, technically 2 owner, but in the same family for 21 years) purchased new at the dealer. In all fairness, I got it from the previous owner needing a little bit of work. The rear windshield needed replacement, though he did include the windshield and a brand new seal inside the trunk. The rear driver side window was inop, but a $10 plastic sliding clip from the dealer and a couple hours of my time fixed that. The rear door panels weren't installed, and the rear deck shelf had been removed and was stripped. He included a huge roll of new matching fabric in the trunk, so a can of 3M adhesive and an hour later it was recovered and reinstalled.

Like I said, all in all just little things that he could have done himself and sold the car for a lot more, but he's a straight-up guy and just leveled with me that he lost interest and there was some pressure from the wife to move onto another project. I was in the right place at the right time, and he just lives a few minutes from me.

Here is the original listing: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=149993&highlight=380se
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97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280
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  #13  
Old 09-15-2006, 05:39 PM
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i just replaced gabriels on my wifes pt cruiser that lasted just a year. over a month ago they became totally useless, as if no shocks on the car at all.

i spent a lot of $ for bilsteins.

the cost of labor made using the lifetime warrenty on the gabriels unthinkable.

maybe non gas filled gabriels will last longer for you if that is what you got.

tom w
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Last edited by t walgamuth; 09-15-2006 at 07:11 PM.
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  #14  
Old 09-15-2006, 05:42 PM
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The last set of Gabriels I came across kept their damping characteristics for about 5K..by 10K they were a shadow of their former selves.

I've fiddled with all the other brands and none IMHO hold up as well as or last as long as Bilsteins.

Best of luck with it!

Jonathan
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  #15  
Old 09-15-2006, 06:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jcyuhn View Post
Winding road? DFW? Now we know you are pulling our legs!
Take Parker past Southfork towards downtown Wylie / Route 78 and you will know what I mean. Might not look too curvy on a map, but enough to test shocks at speed. Would be tons of fun in a 911 doing about 90...

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
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86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280
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