New Shock Absorbers Required...

[Graham Tricker]

It is looking like its time to replace the shock absorbers on my 2009 350 SL (R230). It's only done 22K miles but the car is 12 years old and is beginning to feel a bit bouncy going over bumps in the road, plus the suspension control is not what is was. Any good recommendations on replacement dampers, i.e. Bilsteins etc, or shall I just buy a replacement set from MB? Thanks...

 

[Uncle Benz]

Assuming you don’t have ABC on your 350, the Bilstein dampers from Eurocarparts are excellent quality and good value for money. They have the circlip adjustable spring seat too, so you can tweak the ride height a little if you want to

 

[Graham Tricker]

Assuming you don’t have ABC on your 350, the Bilstein dampers from Eurocarparts are excellent quality and good value for money. They have the circlip adjustable spring seat too, so you can tweak the ride height a little if you want to

Thanks. It hasn't got the ABC suspension, just springs and dampers.

 

[bertb1]

Are you sure it’s only done 22k ?
That’s less than 2k a year


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bertb1]

I walk more than that


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Graham Tricker]

Are you sure it’s only done 22k ?
That’s less than 2k a year


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, and I cycle more than that a year too...
It's not my main car and it never gets used during the winter.

 

[sonic]

Main E350CDI no miles last year, SLK250d about 2K miles last year, pushbike about 2.5K miles last year.

 

[rayhennig]

Dead dampers at 23k miles???

My first lot were replaced with Bilsteins at about 120 k miles. Now it's got Sachs at 450k Km.

RayH

 

[Graham Tricker]

Dead dampers at 23k miles???

My first lot were replaced with Bilsteins at about 120 k miles. Now it's got Sachs at 450k Km.

RayH

Don't forget the car has been sitting on those springs and dampers for 12 years. The oil in the dampers deteriorates and the seals degrade. I am trying to maintain the car in optimum performance, so it performs like it did when it came out of the showroom.

 

[Graham Tricker]

Anyone tried coil-overs as a replacement for the original separate springs and dampers? This is probably a more sporty option but it could be superior if the right springs and damper setting were used.