W124 Bilsteins? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jm124 · #1 06-28-2009, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volosong

I did the "poor man's Sportline" shortly after purchasing my '89 300CE. It made a world of difference in the handling of the coupe. As a package, I ordered the Sportline front and rear bars with bushings and Bilstein HD shocks. I swapped out the 6.5" 15-hole pizza pie chrome wheels for 7" 8-hole wheels. That allowed more rubber on the road. For tires, I run 215/60R15 instead of the stock 195/65R15. Went with the HD shocks because I wanted a much firmer ride for my mountain commute. The part numbers for the Bilstein HD shocks are:

F4-B36-1385-H0
F4-V36-0361-H0

(Just read the box in the garage that holds the originally removed shocks.) Not sure which is front and which is rear. Found a Bilstein PDF files with all MB shocks, but not sure where it is at the moment. The part numbers might have changed slightly since I purchased mine. The comfort shocks are the same height as the HD shocks. The Sport shocks are shorter and the equivelent to Sportline shocks, which necessitates shorter springs. I left the stock springs on. Comfort shocks also use the OEM springs.

Best money I ever spent on my coupe.

I'm just about to order Bilstein sports on an otherwise stock suspension on my 94 E320. the site says its direct OEM fit. But do i NEED shorter springs if i'm getting the sports? or is my only option HDs.

I'm a w124 newbie so please bear with me.

Thanks,

PS: also adding an air filter... Is Mann highly recommended?

volosong · #2 07-01-2009, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jm124

I'm just about to order Bilstein sports on an otherwise stock suspension on my 94 E320. the site says its direct OEM fit. But do i NEED shorter springs if i'm getting the sports? or is my only option HDs.

I'm a w124 newbie so please bear with me.

PS: also adding an air filter... Is Mann highly recommended?

From my understanding, and I could be wrong, is that the Bilstein HD and Comfort work with the OEM springs (non-Sportline). The Bilstein Sport struts are equivalent to Sportline struts (same size, works with the shorter Sportline springs).

But...if LarryBible says that Bilstein Sport struts work with the normal non-Sportline springs...I guess so. He knows what he's talking about.

I'm happy with my setup. On my frequent commute over the mountain (twisty roads), the back end only broke away once, and that was on one of the very infrequent rainy days here in Southern California. I've learned to enter that corner at an approprate speed for the conditions and not "push it" to hard there.

Air filter? Can't say. I came to this forum today seeking information about K&N air filters. Want to see if they really are as good as they, (K&N), claim, (more HP, lasts "forever", washable, etc.).

rayhennig · #3 07-01-2009, 03:08 PM

The Sport dampers are matched by Bilstein to shorter than standard springs (H&R, I think) to form the B12 kit. It's easy to get this right as all you have to do is tot up your points to select the correct kit for your car.

Easy, and it works.

RayH