Suspension - E250D

[dave elcome]

I think it is about time that i dipped into the coffers, and replaced the shock absorbers, the ride is getting a bit "saggy", but at 130K thats to be expected, can anyone recommend a decent replacemernt make, preferably based on experience, rather than a make they have heard of, the choice at Euro car parts alone is mind boggling.

 

[Andy]

Suspension

Dave

Fit only BILSTEINS

Regards

Andy@ www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[simon]

Suspension

I never argue with Andy but sometimes it helps to have a diversity of opinion.
A goodly number of USA owners favour Koni, they have been quality damper manufacturers for decades.They are adjustable too. I have no knowledge of their modern gas filled myself but I had a set on my old plastic Rat for 150k & they were still functioning perfectly.
I suspect that they are pricey now & of course we should not depart from the standard!
regards
Ernest

 

[dave elcome]

Suspension

Thanks Andy.

And thanks Ernest, just one question, "Plastic rat"?? tell us more.

 

[Merc]

Suspension

Hi

I was reading Andy's comments on fit only Bilsteins,now I'm a bit concerned cause' I was talking to a mate today he remembered when Kwick-F**k up'(fit),fitted 4 new shocks to my Astra and they put gas on it.
I remember how ****** hard the "ride" was you felt every ****** bump/crack in the road they were ****,and I said to them about it and all I got was "they are standard quipment mate",I thought bollocks it shouldnt be as hard as that.
Now the moral of the story is they were gas as are Bilstein's,and thats getting me wondering about the "comfort factor",compared to oil.Yes I know there are a thousand diffirences between these cars,weight just for one,now I take it that Bilsteins are of much better quallity that kwick-fits,but I'm wondering like I say,cause' I definateley do not want that kind ride again (no laughin' now!!!),it was h*ll
ish.

Regards

 

[Merc]

Suspension

I forgot to say in my last letter about bilstein shocks saying they were gas,thats the only Europarts supply here (glasgow).

Regards

 

[dave elcome]

Suspension

Merc.

There is your first lesson then, i wouldn't let kwik fit empty my ash tray!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Merc]

Suspension

hi Dave

Yea! your right,that was when I first got it (the Astra that is),and didn't know any better,it was a mate who like yourself is (and has been) in the car trade years (I was still in pampers) who said quite simply "dont ever and I mean ever,take any car doesn't matter what the h*ll
it is,to these arseholes,cause' one thing they are all on is commision to sell,sell,sell,and plus that fact they are like ****** halfords,bullshit/conning B******'s,but youv'e learned that hard way,as in youv'e just been ripped off!,so let that be a lesson for you".
All I said was "well I new to all this ****** malarky with cars I didn't know they were a rip-off,but now I do I wont be back,and if anyone who reads this works there you are not an arse peice personally,but when you go to work you must go into "arsehole/bullshit/conning b*****d mode".
There thats my mump/grump for the night.

Regards

 

[dave elcome]

Suspension

Merc.

Up until now we have managed to keep this forum expletive free, it would be nice to keep it that way!!

 

[Merc]

Suspension

Hi Dave

Are you trying to tell me you dont swear!!,only kiddin',yea I kinda realised that once I'd written that last letter,I should tone down a bit.
But I just get so ****** angry when I think of these people (thats me toning down),and how much they rip us off.But I know I'm not alone,thats just buisinesses trying to get as much out us as they can,but I will be more expletive friendy in future,cheers.

regards

 

[Matt Crooke]

Suspension

Thats the way things are unfortuntly. If you choose to own and run a car thats not the run of the mill type, then sometimes you have to pay that little bit more for the pleasure. Its very irritating and annoying i know. For example, the engine fan switch for my 190 was £17.50. For a Ford Sierra its about £5.00.......

 

[dave elcome]

Suspension

I think i might have solved the problem of which suspension to buy, i'm going to look at a 300TE over the weekend.......eeek, fuel comsumption might be a tad different to the jolly old Diesel!!

 

[simon]

Suspension

Well done Merc, expletives dont add weight to comments that are written, you know!! We all see red from time to time.

regards
Ernest

 

[Anonymous]

Suspension

There seems to bae confusion about gas filled dampers.

The gas is an inert gas, usually nitrogen, on top of the oil to give better springing and more consistant pressure inside the damper.

The reason people say the ride is poor when fitting new dampers is that they are used to the undamped ride quality before fitting.  Generally fit dampers as a full set as this ballances the ride.  I fitted some to a Cavalier on the rear only and the ride was awful.  Upon fitting to the front also at a later date the ride was as new.