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
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

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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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

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
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

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.

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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86 560SL
With homebrew first gear start!
85 380SL
Daily Driver Project

http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm

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.

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

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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08 W251 R350
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

I'm jealious.


I paid 2500 for mine, and it's not even half as good looking.

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-1983 VW Rabbit LS Diesel (5speed, VNT/Giles build)