shock absorber replacement???
 

Hello all!

i have a 99 MB E430 SPORT i need to replace the shocks and i see Bilstein shocks are the way to go.. What would be a wise choice to choose the Heavy Duty or Sport Shocks for my e430?

What is the difference in performance between both HD and SPORT?

RE: shock absorber replacement???
 

HD firmer valving ,sport shorter travel for lowering springs.If you are not lowering the car stick to oe shocks like those sold at autohausaz.com.
DIY replacement on benzworld.org w210 diy section.
ohlord

RE: shock absorber replacement???
 

It's been about 3 years but I faintly remember facing the same dilemma when I was in the hunt to replace my 1998 E320 shocks. Bilstein makes the HD and Sport shocks. I remember seeing many features/ads outline the fact that my normal E320 required the HD shocks while the Sport shocks were to be used for the Sport model. Sounds like you may want to do some side by side comparison reading to determine which one your Sport sedan calls for. Aren't Sport models slightly lower to the ground than the regular E320 sedans? Perhaps the Sport shocks are the way to go but I'd do more comparison research before you take the first step. Good luck.

RE: shock absorber replacement???
 

The e430 sport is lower to the ground Scuddog than the e320. I learned the hard way to take it easy when i driving into driveways or making fast u-turns near curbs. I hit a high driveway when i first got the car and i moved the radiator back about 3 inches. Thanks for the info il have todo more research....

RE: shock absorber replacement???
 

Greenfoot, I understand that the sports are all lower than the standard sedans. It sucks that you moved your radiator back about 3 inches. Ouch!!!! I love the look of the 430 and 320 sports. They look so sharp. I am still kind of amazed about how rare it is to find a 320 or 430 sport these days. They are few and far inbetween. I see 4Matics more frequently than even the standard models. Of course if I were back in Sarasota, Fl I'd see a ton of the non-4Matic models. Keep doing your research on the absorbers. If you have some miles on your sled, they do make a difference. I really noted the difference on the highway. [8D]

RE: shock absorber replacement???
 

Shocks have nothing to do with ride height.If your car is a sport model go with the sport shocks,meant for the shorter travel springs.
Autohausaz.com carries them.