"softest" shocks?
 

The 84' 190D I am going to buy has Monroe sensa-tracs on the rear and the car has set and the shocks seem way too stiff. I want the softest ride possible, so I am wondering if Bilstein "comfort" sold here on Fastlane would be the best way? They are $62. each.

Are these like the ones that came on it from the factory?

Thanks!

The bilsteins are OE and are the best replacement shock for the car. You will not be disappointed.:cool:

Thanks Dux. These are coming off very soon then. Do you know how hard they are to change on the 190? Thanks!

I know someone that once had stiff shocks and they drilled holes in them. It made it much softer of course, but oddly, it was not all that bouncy. I guess it depends on the rest of the suspension. Knowing my luck though if I did that this car would bounce like a basketball. ;)

If it has sat for a while you might drive it a while and give the shocks a chance to loosten up.

But if the gas is gone they will be very bouncy, and that is a good indicator that they need replacing.

Tom W

http://www.monroe.com/tech_support/tec_shockabsorbers.asp

Actually the main reason for gas inside the shock absorber is to help prevent bubbles from forming in the oil. If the gas leaks out, the shock will still have resistance, so the car actually won't be 'bouncy'. But, if the 'oil' leaks out, the car will be bouncy on that corner.

Thanks. Well, its not bouncy by any means.... the rear suspension is very stiff, so I doubt it will soften up to my liking, but I will give it some time. If I could find someone with some they took off of their 190 and replaced for a stiffer shock?

Thanks again.

I don't think the Bilstein Comforts were OE . . I've only seen Sach/Boge struts and shocks as OEM on the W201.

Thanks... well, I wonder what would give a softer, more supple ride on this little MB?

I also am looking into replacing my shocks. But my question being do I need to replace both shocks and springs? My car squeaks when going over some bumps, so is that just a shock issue or if I am going to replace the shocks should I just go for the whole thing and replace the springs?

Help is appreciated!

P.S. How can I figure out if I have SLS?

The Comforts are a great set and with the lifetime warranty, will likely be the last set you buy, unless you have cobblestones and dirt ruts as part of your daily commute.

There are other parts of that W201 suspension that affect "feel." Tires and all those rubber bushings, dampers and joints that are part of that brilliant front and rear suspension might need replacement at this age.

Thanks. Well the car will only be on smooth roadways for occasional commuting. Most of our roads are smooth thankfully. It also has brand new Michelin Pilot tires. Not sure if its a way to tell, but I did visually check the bushings and all looks perfect... I guess it being garage kept for a good part of its life helped and the owner may have even replaced them. The car was well serviced.

I do have some "play" in the center steering, reminiscent of the steering on my old 85' S-Class. I am assuming its that good old "steering box slack"? I guess it could be ball-joints though.

Its just the suspension is stiff and has very little "give" at any wheel. I did not think the Sensa-tracs were supposed to be that stiff. :rolleyes: - then again, I am used to driving my 1991 Lexus LS400 with "cushy" suspension. ;)

Monroe's ride Horribly.... Drop in a set of Bilsteins you will Not be disappointed!

It would be wise however to get the car on a lift and give the front end a thorough inspection..visual is OK, but there is still quite a bit that can be missed.

Jonathan

The best combination I have used on the 201 2.6 was/is Eibach Pro-Kit springs with Bilstein Heavy duty shocks for what you may be looking for...definitely firmer than stock, but still very supple...even my "died in the wool" Mercedes tech, grudgingly admits that that combination on my 2.6 is the nicest suspension he has driven on a 190...Speaking for general driving now..not "performance" driving (if the term "performance" can be used when speaking of a 201 2.6....) The car feels like it should have been designed that way.

PS..I have 4 201 models...two 16V's and two 2.6's (although one of them is in fact a 3.2). All have modded suspensions...mostly more sport oriented than daily driving. There are four different spring and shock combinations on the 4 cars..as well as several more that have been removed in that constant search for ride satisfaction..

Best general daily driver...201 2.6 with Eibach Pro-Kit and Billie HD's...stock wheels and tires. Shims: #3 front, #1 rear..

Best combination of ride comfort and street performance...201 16V with Vogtland Springs(for the 2.6) and H&R Cup Kit shocks, shims: #3 front, #1 rear...17" x 7.5 Evo rims, with 215/17/40 tires

Best pure handling car: 201 with 3.2 motor, FK springs, Billie sports, limo front sway, adjustable strut tops, 16V rear sway, adjustable rear camber links, and sway bar links, Shims #4 fronts, #2 rears, 17" x 7.5 wheels, 17/215/40 tires

Very good handliing street car, but still very harsh riding: 201, 2.3-16V with H&R Sport springs, and Koni Sport shocks...mounted on 16 x 7" wheels, with 205/16/45 tires....smaller wheels and tires with bigger sidewall helped this car a lot.

Thanks. Well, I think since the car is a smaller car, light, with a short wheelbase, it would take a "soft" (or weak) shock to give it a decent ride.

I have noticed the front is stiff as well. Perhaps Monroes were installed on the front as well? :mad: