At what mileage will you consider changing your absorber?

[Guest machineoperator]

Need some opinion here again on the absorbers. Normally at what mileage can the c204 stock absorber last until it needs replacement? If it does what brand of absorber is the popular choice? I know the original Benz shocks is a killer in terms of pricing and the bilstein (B6 I think) it retailing at almost 1k for 4 shocks without installation from the stockist. Pls give your opinion.

[g8crasher]

machineoperator wrote:

Need some opinion here again on the absorbers. Normally at what mileage can the c240 stock absorber last until it needs replacement? If it does what brand of absorber is the popular choice? I know the original Benz shocks is a killer in terms of pricing and the bilstein (B6 I think) it retailing at almost 1k for 4 shocks without installation from the stockist. Pls give your opinion.

Er.. IMHO $1k for 4 pcs of B6 is a reasonable price to pay.

In general terms, 60,000kms / 5 yrs is the general benchmark to look at the condition of your shocks. Dependent on your style of driving and where you drive.

[Guest bull_terrier]

Any idea how much would be the stock ones? Mine hitting 60,000km soon..

[Guest machineoperator]

The stokist for Benz I went to said they don't have any original damper for sale as it is too expensive .Hence explains why bilstein is the popular choice. And it is quite cheap too. But just that I have no idea how it rides and handles as compared to the original c class damper. Any input from those who has done it?

Btw do you feel any difference in ride and handling quality of your car as compared to when it was newer? Just trying to judge if the 60k mark is the std benchmark to change damper..... Maybe can go back C&C and try getting it replaced.... ha ha

[Guest bull_terrier]

Do not actually feels much difference over the years. Well, but of course the physcological effects of feeling car getting noisy as it ages.

[g8crasher]

Bilstein is the OEM supplier to MB for suspension components I believe. Difference is in the branded packaging (original VS OEM)

[Guest machineoperator]

Oh ok ... does it mean if I ever wanna change my damper it will be the bilstein b6 for the avantgarde? If I understand correctly the b8 is for pairing with lowered spring. ANy input?

[g8crasher]

machineoperator wrote:

Oh ok ... does it mean if I ever wanna change my damper it will be the bilstein b6 for the avantgarde? If I understand correctly the b8 is for pairing with lowered spring. ANy input?

The avant-garde models are equipped with slightly lower suspension but not low enough to warrant B8 usage. B8s are designed with a shorter shock body for -30mm applications. Should You wish to retain close to stock comfort with sportier handling just stick to the B6.

[Guest rogeryap]

will changing to bigger rims void the warranty on the absorber?

think my absorber got funny sounds coming out

[Guest kepiting1sg]

rogeryap wrote:

will changing to bigger rims void the warranty on the absorber?

think my absorber got funny sounds coming out

Why should changing to bigger rims void warranty unless your rims off set are wrong & hitting the shock absorber!

[Guest rogeryap]

kepiting1sg wrote:

Why should changing to bigger rims void warranty unless your rims off set are wrong & hitting the shock absorber!

u know la...sometimes when they dun wan to pay for the absorber, they can come out with loads of excuses!

[Guest machineoperator]

g8crasher wrote:

The avant-garde models are equipped with slightly lower suspension but not low enough to warrant B8 usage. B8s are designed with a shorter shock body for -30mm applications. Should You wish to retain close to stock comfort with sportier handling just stick to the B6.

Thanks for the precious input .. will have that in mind

[Guest Longshanks]

Just changed the dampers on a W209 2 weeks ago @ Juzzforcars. (Yeah, felt kinda funny going into BMW territory to get this done but that's another story..) Went the Koni FSD way. They replaced the Sachs sports ones (red). Pretty impressed so far. Ride quality improved significantly cos the old ones were way past their due date. They had 50K+ on them and the mounts were cracked or very worn.

Drive-wise, they feel well-damped yet planted. And on corners, they're nice and firm with lesser body roll around the same curves and corners. Great for day-to-day street use but it's not as crisp and sharp as coilovers in harsh slaloms. Overall, it strikes the middle road giving good handling and decent comfort. BTW, tHe FSDs are paired w Eibach's Prokit springs. 2 finger spacing rear and front.

Suggest changing the mounts/bushings when replacing the shocks to get the best outta 'em.

[Guest blackknight]

Longshanks wrote:

Just changed the dampers on a W209 2 weeks ago @ Juzzforcars. (Yeah, felt kinda funny going into BMW territory to get this done but that's another story..) Went the Koni FSD way. They replaced the Sachs sports ones (red). Pretty impressed so far. Ride quality improved significantly cos the old ones were way past their due date. They had 50K+ on them and the mounts were cracked or very worn.

Drive-wise, they feel well-damped yet planted. And on corners, they're nice and firm with lesser body roll around the same curves and corners. Great for day-to-day street use but it's not as crisp and sharp as coilovers in harsh slaloms. Overall, it strikes the middle road giving good handling and decent comfort. BTW, tHe FSDs are paired w Eibach's Prokit springs. 2 finger spacing rear and front.

Suggest changing the mounts/bushings when replacing the shocks to get the best outta 'em.

care to share the costs of this? thks:becky:

[Guest machineoperator]

Just sent my car into C&C and asked them what is the recommended mileage to change the absorber and they actually told me there is no specific guideline to it. What they will do is to jack up the car and check for the bushing and joint and any sign of leakage ... and if found to be in good condition ...then there is no need for a replacement.

[Guest ck9269]

I don't think there is any "fixed" mileage to begin considering changing your shocks, it probably is also affected by your driving style and road type.

Just so everybody knows, my front left shock absorber gave way 2 weeks from the time I picked up my brand new ride from C&C. After another 2 weeks, the front right. Another 2 weeks, the rear left. All were dutifully replaced by them and ever since the ride has been good. Is it the way I drive? I thought so too initially, but then again I'm driving the same way now and its already more than a month since the last shock absorber was replaced :music:

[Guest machineoperator]

Hi Ck9269,

May I know what was the problem with your absorbers?

[Guest ck9269]

They were producing a loud knocking sound and the SA at C&C told me they replaced the entire shock absorber, after which the sound went away. Otherwise when going over uneven surfaces, the sound would come back, like something is loose..

[Guest Longshanks]

Slightly north of $1,700 for the FSDs, all 4 mounts/bushings n alignment.

blackknight wrote:

care to share the costs of this? thks:becky:

[Guest vincikwan]

Nice, was thinking of the Koni FSDs too for my SLK.

[Guest alfie]

ck9269 wrote:

They were producing a loud knocking sound and the SA at C&C told me they replaced the entire shock absorber, after which the sound went away. Otherwise when going over uneven surfaces, the sound would come back, like something is loose..

changed my front left and right at 5k. now at 10k, the front left is acting up again!! knocking sound when crossing humps... arrrghh.....

[Guest Cklasse]

The knocking sound may not be from the absorber. My W203 started to have knocking noise when hit the hump recently at 190 000 km. It was found that the culprit was a worn thrust arm ball socket. If damping of car is good, you should look else where rather than absorber. Ok, it doesn't matter if all are changing under warranty......:becky:

[Guest alfie]

it was the shock absorbers in my case. finally got a slot to change them yesterday. all's well now. SA assured that they had replaced with an improved version.

2 visits for shock absorbers, 1 visit for flat battery. and car's 7 mth old. c&c sold me a lemon!!

[Guest Mangler]

How about my W204 that comes with AMG Sports Package ? My ride is a low-down-dirty-shame hehehhehehe........so, is the Bilstein B8 applicable ? or B6 ? or any other damper ?

Thanks Guys !!! :becky: