Sportline needs suspension overhaul @ 300K KMs

[rayhennig]

Hello,

I know I've bored this forum before with my suspension questions, my main interest being to renew the 300CE-24 Sportline suspension now that it's done almost 200 K Miles.

I have considered:

1. Bilstein B12 Kit (H&R Spring + B8 Sport dampers, I think).

2. H&R/Eibach springs and B6 HD or B* Sport dampers.

3. Original Merc Sportline springs and B6 HD or B* Sport dampers.

4. Original Merc Sportline springs and dampers.

For safety's sake and because my local garagiste her in France disapproves of my 'non-stock' proposals, I am erring on the side of caution and Option4: all original.

But, I wonder if there is a 'stiffer than stock' option available from Merc?

Years ago, I had a W114 280CE fitted with what the local MB parts people called 'Niderian' springs - I liked the extra stiffness and level cornering.

It strikes me that the ideal might be absolute stock Sportline plus extra stiffness.

There's also this issue of dampers - stock MB these days seems to be Sachs/Boge not Bilstein. I've no preference here and have been satisfied with Sachs in the past. But which Bilstein matches Sportline - I've had different answers to this - Bilstein B6 HD or Bilstein B8 Sport?

Any ideas would be much appreciated.

All the best.

Ray H

 

[Bolide]

I'd replace all the worn bushes, steering damper, balljoints and maybe front wishbones and top mounts before replacing the springs & shocks. I'd then stick with the Sportline parts from MB

If I were to change anything from standard I think it'd be the dampers and I'd buy Bilstein sports

Bear in mind that the damper is there to damp the spring. And the spring is there to suspend the car and give a basic suspension rate that makes the car comfortable. The front & rear spring rates & suspension rates are different because the weight distribution isn't 50/50. Changing any one parameter throws out all the others as they're interlinked

Obviously the tyre sidewall changes the effective spring rate as well so you'd need to alter everything again if you change sidewall height or stiffness..

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk