Hey guys I've done many searches, theres many arguments about bilstein HD's vs Sports, sprints, but not too many about 500e shocks/struts.

im thinking of going with a 500e rear sway bar, with sportline bushings (in the rear does that work or will i have to go 500e bushings?)

probably a front sportline sway bar.. with sportline bushings.

so my options for springs.. a buddy of mine has cut r129 sl500 springs, i think he cut like 3 coils though said its probably a little lower than 1.5 inches.. sounds like a very firm, yet very harsh ride..

i have someone parting out a sportline 300ce (springs are good, shocks are shot)

i was originally planning to go sportline/500e or sportline/sportline for front/rear sway bars with sportline bushings already or a limo in the front if i can get it.. sportline bushings all around as mentioned earlier


strut mounts, was going to order meyle HD's but i picked some fairly new 400e strut mounts for the front (if i go 500e struts will i have to go with 500e strut mounts?)

for shocks/struts, i was going to go bilstein hd's as recommended..over bilstein sports by many..
(was going to bilstein hd's, meyle hd strut mounts, h&r springs all around till more options popped up of course)

idealy i wanted the sportline feel, but its too expensive for me (reminds me i shoulda bought that damned sportline!!! )

i talked to someone for a recommendation (he has a brabus 3.6 twin turbo in a 300ce with a 5spd waiting to go in sitting in his garage) he said the HD's didn't work out too great, he didn't mention what springs hes running though thats the thing but he did run r129 sl500, and said that they were STIFF!
He also said HD's raised his car a little, and i should go for 500e struts cause the double rebound would keep my car planted more than the hd's

so my question is if i do go with 500E struts/shocks.. do i go with the sachs or the bilsteins? and the HDs or the sports? and would it work alright with the sportline springs? or even the r129 springs?
idealy i don't really want to lose too much comfort, but some improvement in handeling would be great..

i've also read where someone had sportline bars, with kyb's and stock height.. he ended up going stock front strut bar, and 500e in the rear to eliminate all understeer, bilstein comforts on stock springs he said it handled pretty well..


i plan to refresh the suspension components like the drag link, and the ball joints as well in the future little by little..

of course these questions are for the future, but i do need new struts/shocks anyways so yeah..

gabzor, based on experience recommend that you buy replacement shocks/struts from a MB dealer. I installed Bilstein Comfort front struts on our 1995 E320 and they don't perform as well as the original MB struts. MB must have stringent specifications for their shocks/struts that suppliers must meet ... different from a supplier's standard, off-the-shelf product. In the future I will only buy suspension parts from a MB dealer.

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Fred Hoelzle

Bilstein make a standard front strut for W124s in Europe / GB that performs like the stock version. I haven't seen a "comfort" version, although anything that softens the ride would be good on GB roads.
I would not cut a standard road spring down in length either: The ruined handling characteristics will bite you hard.
Strut mounts on W124s are just an aluminium stiffener with a rubber cushion and steel mounting plate. KYB make aftermarket versions for half the MB price. KYB are factory suppliers of suspension components to VW, Audi, etc, so, ought to be okay quality wise.