Vehicle : 1986 300E

I have been reading through the various posts discussing Bilstein shocks and I was looking to find something comparing the difference in road noise between vehicles installed with Bilstein comforts and HD's.

People have just mentioned that the ride is harsh at times with HD's.

If anyone could shed some light on whether the level road noise would be higher, lower or the same between the comfort and HD shocks, it would be greatly helpful.

TIA.

hs

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1986 300E (3/2002) Rear ended and totaled (10/2009)
2000 Xterra (5/2000)
1992 400E (11/2009) -Sold
1986 300E (12/2009) - Sold
2004 E500 Wagon (6/2013) - Sold

I made a mistake and put on KYB's. Now these are STIFF, MUCH stiffer than Bilstein HD's. They offer an objectionable ride, but I cannot tell any difference in road noise. Even these steel rod shocks don't increase road noise. Your shocks, unless they had no soft bushings, mounted metal to metal instead, would have no effect on road noise.

The ride stiffness between HD's and comforts is minimal if even noticable.

Have a great day,

Big fan of the HDs.
Perhaps a little more suspension noise if you hit a choppy section, but less likely to bottom out on big bumps.

Bilstein is no longer listing the Front HDs for the early 124s on their website, and my usual vendors are not stocking them. You may no longer have a choice! Not sure how the later struts differ.

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1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.

Gotta agree with Larry. My wife's used 190e came with KYB's on it. And as the alignment guy said after he took it for a test drive "it drives like a truck" It has a lousy ride. Bounces over road irregularities, but handles pretty good. If we keep the car, the shocks are on the long list of things I need to replace.

For shocks, spend a bit more to get the better product. Either Bilstein shock is a good product. Remember that shocks and springs are generally matched for dampening and rebound rates.

Tinker

My recommendation would be Bilstein, but neither the HDs nor the Comforts. Just trust the folks who designed in the car in the first place, and stick with the standard Bilsteins.

hey now,when a concern of road noise comes up, the thing to remember is the tires are the source.
have not worked for tire shops in a while, but pirele(spelling?) tire are quiet. because they are soft, they also wear fast. road noise is related to tread design. ask anyone with off road tires.
hd shocks and soft tires work well together.
most name brand tires are quiet. dunlop seem to ride hard,so putting them with hd shocks and the bumps are felt more.
good luck
rich

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88 300E White, sold 9-04
88 190E Black 2.3 sold
90 300CE White, Grey sold 12-24-04
92 400E White,Grey Sold 5-06
90 300CE 91K Signal Red,Black Sold 2007
1989 300CE Smoke silver,Tan Sold 1-08
1993 300E 3.2 M104 motor
1991 300CE White,Grey
1994 E420 beautiful car,gone to new home
1994 E320 Smoke an Parchment.Beautiful car

Bilstein comforts ARE the standard Bilsteins.

Have a great day,

I have the HD Bilstiens on my 126 300SD and love them. I had Bogies on prior and there is no comparison. I think this size car and weight (126) demand the HD. I found NO increase in road noise

I forgot to mention. On my other German car I went from a HD Bilstein to a Sport Bilstien. Very noticeable difference. It is almost too firm for me and I am use to firm cars. No increase in road noise, but a deterioration in ride quality. I don't know if a step from comfort to HD would be as drastic.

Tinker

The Sports are designed for shorter springs and suspension travel. If you didn't change to the shorter springs, the Sports a very bad mismatch.

Have a great day,

Road noise would have to do more with your tires than anything else.

i agree, it's the tires!!!

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joel

Prayers bring forth enlightenment.