What do most ppl replace the factory struts with.

I see there is no Bilstein replacement for a 400E.

There is a HD version which would be stiffer than OE.

There are Sachs-Boge replacements which are "Touring" and "Heavy Duty".

What would best match the orginals.. without the $280 MBUSA price tag.

You don't tell us what year 420 but I have a '95 E420 and Bilstein shocks are available in all forms. Just type Bilstein Shocks into Google and all sorts come up. What about Phil at Fastlane?
Anziani
'93 300CE 181K
'95 E420 118K

Which is it, E420 or 400E? Not that there's a world of difference, but your thread subject mentions E420 and your post says 400E.
I don't think the w124 cars had a strut-type front suspension. I believe it was coil spring & shock arrangement. With that said, I believe you are misreading the Fastlane catalog, and I know it's easy to miss because the menu doesn't specifically say 'front' when you're in the shock absorber page, and the strut assembly page comes up as 'no parts found' for your models(s). When you're shopping for shocks at Fastlane, just go to the shock absorber page. The ones at the top that don't say 'rear' are the ones for the front of the car, and of course the ones listed at the bottom do specify that they are for the rear of the vehicle. So that could be the source of the confusion.
But Bilsteins only. They are the ones that provide the best ride. Might want to try HDs up front for enhanced handling with the weight of the V8, and comforts in the rear to facilitate a comfortable ride. Some owners of old diesels(heavy engines up front) have reported good things about that arrangement in threads I've read in the past.

__________________
'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

Thanks for the attempts..

First the *STRUTS* are for all w124's on the fronts. A 400E and a E420 ... same car just a later version.

Yes, the Bilstein catalog lists struts for them.. but the V8 is heavier and they do not make an equivlent to OE replacement. The standard version is sized for a 320e and the H-D is 30% stiffer.
Sachs-Boge is the supplier for factory 420/500e struts.

M

Ok I was totally wrong then. I'd find out what the dealer uses and who makes them, then get Phil to find the OEM equivalent. Another popular online MB parts place has the Sachs/Boge struts listed as OE for the car, at a reasonable price. In any event I'd get the HDs for the front due to the weight. I know you'd rather have Bilsteins as the forum has everybody trained to only accept them and for good reason. However if Bilstein doesn't make it you have no other choice than to get whatever's available. Not exactly building a space shuttle here. I've had KYBs on a car and found them to be acceptable.

__________________
'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)