Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => Drive train, fuel, suspension, steering & brakes => Topic started by: rob walker on September 17, 2012, 12:03:26
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Does anyone have a source for new front shock absorbers. Do Spax or one of the specialised manufacturers make replacements, MB originals seem horrendously expensive.
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Hi, Rob,
I can thoroughly recommend Koni adjustable shocks for the 113. I put them on the back of mine when my Bilsteins were found to have failed. They are excellent and you can adjust them for stiffness. I got mine from Demon Tweaks http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/performance/shock-absorbers and they shipped to me VAT free (coz I was outside the UK at the time). Really superb service. I'll put them on the front when the Bilsteins need replacing.
Don't worry, they're not bright yellow. You want the classic adjustables; I think they were about £60 a pair. Very pleased.
James
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Ditto on the classic Konis. And Demon Tweeks
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Thanks guys will try them.
MB Classic (Jacksons) wanted £190 EACH :o
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Or Bilsteins:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERC-PAGODE-230-SL-150BHP-63-67-BILSTEIN-B4-FRONT-SHOCK-ABSORBERS-24-005296-/110878352856?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item19d0dd65d8
Naj
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Hi Naj,
Bilsteins I guess are original.
Question is, which are the better. Bilsteins or Konis?
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The problem with this is that in order to establish whether the Konis are better than the originals one has to do a back-to-back comparison with NEW shocks.
I certainly haven't done it and I don't know of anyone else who has.
If you're swapping your old worn out original shocks for new Konis then it's fairly obvious that the difference is going to be noticeable.
Still, if you like to have a tinker then go ahead and fit the adjustables. The reality is that once you've found a setting you like you'll simply leave it there and forget all about it.
If you have access to a race-car workshop then they may well have a rig for checking damper performance but for a road car this is pretty redundant in my view (unless of course you're driving on a track, in which case the information could be very useful).
Certainly one should definately consider NOT buying shocks from an MB agent!
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Thanks Colin, et al.
I think I am going to try the Konis.
I already have these on the back anyway. Hopefully this will stop the knocking on the front end. All the other bits were changed only a couple of years ago at RE.
Colin, when we bring the car back next year, once it has its Spanish Historic plates, I will bring her in for a checkover.
Regards Rob
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Hi
have a look at this site. The seller is very serious and I have always got first class service and items in perfect condition.
His shock absorbers are OEM Bilstein and the front one costs 100 Euro, that is about 80 GBP.
http://www.dbdepot.de/index.php?nav=4&lan=2&
BTW, he specializes in classic Mercedes, and has a very user-friendly catalogue for Pagodas
Stan
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How about springs guys ? Anyone found a different supplier for springs ?
Regards all,
Joe
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Hi, Rob,
I can thoroughly recommend Koni adjustable shocks for the 113. I put them on the back of mine when my Bilsteins were found to have failed. They are excellent and you can adjust them for stiffness. I got mine from Demon Tweaks http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/performance/shock-absorbers and they shipped to me VAT free (coz I was outside the UK at the time). Really superb service. I'll put them on the front when the Bilsteins need replacing.
Don't worry, they're not bright yellow. You want the classic adjustables; I think they were about £60 a pair. Very pleased.
James
Koni Classics from DT £89.96 each! :'(