So I'm getting ready to replace the shocks in my 240D. The choices at my local Autozone that are within the range I would like to spend ($40-60 each) are, in increasing order of price: Gabriel, KYB and Sachs. They also have one bargain basement brand that I'd never heard of, and Bilsteins, which I don't really want to shell out for, given the rather, ahem, "modest" performance envelope of the 240D.

Anyone have any thoughts, experience, recommendations, etc.?

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-Scott J
1978 240D

bilstein would be my first choice...

kyb and sachs are good companies. I don't have any personal experience but I've read good things.

haven't heard of gabriels. and definitely ditch the basement brand.

kyb's popular offerings seem to be in the performance arena.

I'd go with sachs if bilstein is off the table.

Thanks for weighing in, jab.

Interesting. Gabriel was one of the pioneers of automotive shocks, dating back to the teens. I would say Gabriel and Monroe dominated the domestic car market, during its "heyday", at least up to the late '70s. My dad's 1927 Auburn had Gabriel "Snubbers," which were an odd and not particularly effective suspension damping device.

I've had good results with Sachs shocks on my motorhome, so I sort of lean that way as well.

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-Scott J
1978 240D

I'll say this - I often hear folks say that Bilstein was the OEM shock for these cars. I believe they were ONE of the OEM shocks, but not the only one.

Case in point, I replaced all four shocks on my 240D project this year. I may not have needed to, as the old ones compared very favorably to the new ones when tested side-by-side out of the box and out of the car.

The rear shocks I removed were BOGE, and had a Mercedes star stamp and a Mercedes part number. The front shocks I removed were Sachs, and also had a Mercedes star stamp and a Mercedes part number.


I used new Bilstein HDs in the rear and new Sachs HDs in the front. I've put less than 2000 miles on the car so far, but all seems well.


I also have a Volvo station wagon and put new Sachs shocks in 50,000 miles ago (2 years ago). They're still going strong and performing well.


I've logged a LOT of miles on Monroe products, but not in a Mercedes (was always happy with them) and have used Gabriel shocks, but not in any car I kept a long time.

Interested to hear more about this as well. I have two 300d's, one is the daily driver with kyb's that need to be replaced. I've never liked the ride in this car but they may just need to be replaced. The other car has Bosch shocks and rides much nicer. These are the shocks that came in the cars, I have been wanting to try the bilsteins.

I got Bilstien H.D.'s all the way around and even H.D. springs in the rear on my 300sd and I'm so very glad. The car sits great used to sag in the rear gives a good solid ride on those long trips. Put them on about 4 yrs. Ago would replace with same if I had to but do not have to yet.If you shop around you might find a good price on the stiens I got them on the net do not remember where. I remeber I asked A.Z. if they would match their price they would not so ordered off the net.

yuke, where did you get the HD springs? I'm a new member here and am learning before i purchase an 300SD. Once purchased, the top priority would be to rebuild the suspension and tune up before driving it on an daily basis.

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Nicknamed as 'MJ'

Owns:
2011 VW JSW TDI, 199,000 miles of 12/3/15
2 of 1989 Mustang 5.0's.

Looking for an MB 300SD Turbo Diesel

owned:
1971 300SEL 6.3, 1973 280, 1991 300SE. 1988 Mustang LX 5.0, 1990 Mustang GT, 1991 Mustang SSP, 1992 Mustang GT, 1970 Mustang Grande 302, 1994 Volvo 940 Turbo and 1981 Volvo 240 DL. The rest are not worthy mentioning.

I replaced the 'probably' stock ones 4 or 5 years ago. I think they were Bilstiens, and replaced them with Bilstein HD fronts and comforts in the rear. Drives nice for me. I think I took that advice from somewhere. The HDs help balance the weight up front. The comforts in the rear keep it from being to stiff. Mine a 240D.
As for the other shocks, Sachs is another German maker. Has a good rep. One of the places that deal with Ford Contour performance carries them. I have KYBs in one Jeep Cherokee and a Dodge Neon. They do OK. If they are silver, then made in Japan. If black then US made. The silvers are suppose to be a lot better. The black ones, maybe better than Monroes. Gabriels are a US shock or at least were. OK rep years ago. Not the best, but ?? I think my neighbor uses one for the front Jeep steering shock. A lot bigger diameter and says it works well. He beets his GC off road.
I'd go Bilsteins if long term keeper and $$ not that much concern. Sach would be next. Possibly KYB if silver.

Gabriels are GARBAGE. I've run them on other cars and they just don't last long, I can't imagine they'd do well on the heavy mercedes. ******** lists bilsteins for $55 each, front and rear. When I do the fronts on my 300td that's what I'm gonna buy. Otherwise, KYB shocks are good, I've installed them in many different cars with good results.

edit: not sure why r o c k a u t o is all starred out.... it's a great website to buy car parts on.... I thought the only thing we weren't allowed to talk about on here was that certain source of mercedes parts

Thanks, all for the advice. Chris, thanks for shopping around for me. At that price, the Bilsteins seem like a good choice.

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-Scott J
1978 240D

KYB= Keep Your Bilstiens...

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83 SD

84 CD

It's because ******** is a competitor with Pelican Parts, the sponsor of this forum.

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"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

From the three choices from Autozone, buy the Sachs/Boges. Boges were also a factory installed shock in place of Bilsteins in some w123 applications.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

The previous owner of my 240D had Gabriels installed by our local Les Schwab tire shop about 7 years/40,000 miles ago. They are a typical economy shock, not great, just OK and the rubber parts are cracking. The rubber on my tie rod ends and lower ball joints is also shot, but no obvious wear yet, so I plan on replacing them this coming Summer. I will probably replace the Gabriels with Bilsteins as I put Bilstein comforts on my e-420 and like them. Don

EricTheCarGuy doesn't like Gabriel shocks. I installed them on things like trucks and SUVs and the owners were OK with them. Not much refining to a truck suspension though.

Go with Sachs.

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'84 190D 2.2 5MT (Red/Palomino) Current car. Love it!
'85 190D 2.2 Auto *Cali* (Blue/Blue) *sold*
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