Author Topic: Which Shock Absorber / Damper is preferred  (Read 3243 times)

Albert

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Which Shock Absorber / Damper is preferred
« on: September 28, 2014, 15:14:52 »
Hello All,
I'm having a spending spree for my 1971 280sl restoration project.
Can I please have some advice on buying new shock absorbers.
Which is the preferred manufacturer, do you have any part numbers & how much will they cost?

Also are there any uprated ones available?

Regards
Al

mbzse

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Re: Which Shock Absorber / Damper is preferred
« Reply #1 on: September 28, 2014, 16:19:01 »
Bilstein is OEM (from factory)
http://www.dbdepot.de/index.php?lan=2 is a vendor who often has a good price on a kit of these
/Hans in Sweden
/Hans S

kampala

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Re: Which Shock Absorber / Damper is preferred
« Reply #2 on: September 28, 2014, 20:22:56 »
Al,

You do have some choices in shocks depending on your priorities.  You will find many opinions.  Some prefer Koni's as you can adjust to a stiffer ride contributing to flatter cornering.  A very few may prefer KYB, and many will prefer Bilstein.   On other cars in the past I have used Koni and they have been really fun -- as I was specifically looking for a tighter feel.

However, for the Pagoda, I wanted the car to feel closer to what was intended and wanted to retain a little more comfort.  After doing some research and chatting with some owners, I went with the Bilsteins am very happy with them.  Since my old shocks turned out to be the original ones installed at the factory, they were really beat and the new Bilsteins made a drastic improvement.

Lots to read on the forum about shocks and you will find lots of opinions based on what folks like.  If you go with Bilsteins, here are the current part numbers for Pagoda Specific shocks.

 Bilstein Part numbers: Front - 24-005296 and Rear - 24-005395


250sl - later - manual
280sl - 1971 - Auto - LSD

Albert

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Re: Which Shock Absorber / Damper is preferred
« Reply #3 on: September 29, 2014, 19:27:48 »
Thanks Kampala,

I fired off a few email today direct to Bilstein using the part numbers you provided.
Front dampers £42 = $64
Rear dampers £38 = $58
+VAT & shipping

Not a bad deal

Regards
Al