Just read the the factory MB 1992 Introduction to Service on the 400E and 500E and would like to share the following regarding suspension:

400E & 500E:
Tightening torque of the pinch-bolt & self-locking nut for the damper strut-to-steering knuckle assembly was increased to 200 Nm. The two lower hex bolts are unchanged at 110 Nm.

Both receive different buffers/bumpstops on the stuts: 500E: 70mm/bone color; 400E: 83mm/red color

500E:
Damper strut is equipped with an extension limiting spring giving additional vehicle support during cornerning, hence the smaller diameter swaybar.

500E self-levelling struts also has an extension limiting springs built-in.

500E struts are also shorter in length than the SportLine struts. SportLine is definitely stiffer.

Here's some pictures of the 500E strut/damper (short) and the 300E SportLine strut/damper (longer). Both are made by SACHS.

I don't know if the Bilstein Sport front dampers/struts have the built-in extension limiting spring, but they do have the shorter strut length like the 500E's.

Enjoy,
:-) neil

So if I read this correctly, 500E stuts on a 300E sportline would feel a little softer on bumps, but would stiffen the cornering - maybe too stiff given the Sportline front bar diameter? Does the same length and stiffness apply to the rear shocks as well?

Also, it looks like there is a score mark on the 500E strut right at the place where the shoulder/threads of the Sportline begin. Do they possibly share the same shaft, which is machined at that mark if it is to go into a Sportline strut? (Or maybe it is just a mark left from compression of the strut. The sportline has a mark as well, much closer to the strut body.) Thanks for the pics and info.

__________________
John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E