Do they even make Bilsten HD's for w202 anymore?

[golden1245]

I was just about to purchase some Bilstein HD shocks for my w202 c230k from Tirerack.com (an American site). Right before I clicked purchase I made sure to check the part # the site provided which is: 24-018562 (front) and 24-018579 (rear)
I entered the part # into bilstein USA's website and it turns out that it's the part # for the Touring shocks (B4 setting) instead of the HD (B6 setting). Then I went to every other american online suspension vendor and discovered the same thing! It would say (HD) but the part # would be for the touring shocks. What gives??

Is it the same for you guys across the pond??

I am in need of replacements and want to keep performance of my standard mercedes Sport shocks and this is really confusing

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[grober]

This the catalogue on their German site. You might find you have to go for their adjustable range to get what you are after? Online Catalogue

 

[DRBC43AMG]

Give a call to Olly (BlackC55) . I'm sure he will be able to give you all the necessary info you need and clear any questions

 

[golden1245]

Hmmm Ok, I realized that in Europe, you don't call them HD (heavy duty). B6 sport (europe) = B6 Heavy Duty (america)

Basically I'm looking for the Bilstein B6 sport shocks that are for non-lowered cars.

 

[grober]

the part nos are:- check yourself http://www.bilstein.de/en-uk/products/search-service/online-catalogue.html

 

[golden1245]

thanks for the info grober, i just confirmed myself that these are it.

I don't understand why American sites would sell (B4) setting shocks as the B6 ones. That's just plain misleading. It seems like just a few years ago, everyone put the B6 bilsteins in their w202's and now they're just gone. Not many people still have w202s over here or care about its performance.

How on earth am I going to buy these from Europe? =X Do you guys have an recommendations on online vendors? Does Olly ship to the states?

 

[golden1245]

ok...i found that the popular EuroCarparts.com does not sell the Bilstein b6's.

I also found this place:

Bilstein Suspension - Discount Prices at Motorsport World

but at 117 gbp/ $174 usd PER shock, that is really steep. Are there any other recommendations? What do the w202 fellas here put into their cars for shock upgrades?

 

[horgantrevor]

olly can give you the correct info

 

[renault12ts]

You're in the US, so this may be useful:

Replacement Shocks/Struts and Spark Plug choices - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

If you can't see the link, then just sign up.

 

[golden1245]

Thanks for the link renault, I'll post something there to see where this guy got his B6 bilsteins.

Though I'm not sure where this guy bought his (B6 HD) shocks because no place sells them. He was probably tricked into buying the black touring shocks instead of the yellow performance ones. It's really easy to not check the part #s. The "extra performance" he saw was probably due to him driving on really poor shocks to begin with =X

 

[grober]

ok...i found that the popular EuroCarparts.com does not sell the Bilstein b6's.

I also found this place:

Bilstein Suspension - Discount Prices at Motorsport World

but at 117 gbp/ $174 usd PER shock, that is really steep. Are there any other recommendations? What do the w202 fellas here put into their cars for shock upgrades?

Your cheapest option is probably a supplier in Germany if Olly can't help but watch tax and carriage charges. I have always found these guys helpful [ english speaking]
Speed Autoteile
drop em an email

 

[golden1245]

another quick question, can the w208 shocks fit into a W202?

The US vendors, for some reason, sell the B6 sport shocks for the CLK320 (but only the front pair, the rear still uses the touring)

This is confusing. Why is America so lame? I'm gonna shoot an email to Olly.

 

[grober]

The B6 front shocks for the CLK 320 part no 24-025980 are the same for the B6 front shocks for the CLK 230 Kompressor and assuming roughly? the same body weight would indicate their suitability for your C class 230K . They should fit because the running gear for the W202 C CLASS and W208 CLK are basically the same.

It should be noted however their part no is different to the C class saloon part no- I don't know if this reflects a different shock valving or whether its merely a part ordering thing.

 

[golden1245]

I really appreciate your guys help!

Ahh I see Grober, I might try those out, it seems like common sense that they would work. I've sent a private message to Olly to see what he can do and I'll check back in with the thread in a couple days.

 

[golden1245]

...so I called Bilstein USA and they said that they changed the names around for the United States. The B4's now have the feel of the B6's.

I told him that makes no sense because they sell the B6's for the W208 CLK's, BMW E46's and W204's. It's mainly my w202 that doesn't have it.

He sounded like he didn't know what the heck he was talking about.

 

[golden1245]

The B6 front shocks for the CLK 320 part no 24-025980 are the same for the B6 front shocks for the CLK 230 Kompressor and assuming roughly? the same body weight would indicate their suitability for your C class 230K . They should fit because the running gear for the W202 C CLASS and W208 CLK are basically the same.

It should be noted however their part no is different to the C class saloon part no- I don't know if this reflects a different shock valving or whether its merely a part ordering thing.

I have a feeling that the w208 shocks will fit the w202 as well. Can anyone chime in on that?

And another thing...they don't make B6 shocks for the rears of the w208 CLK, I've asked around members in the US CLK forum. They say that the usual set up for non-lowered cars is B6 Sports upfront and B4 Tourings in the rear. Can you mix shocks like that? 0.o

Should I just go back to Mercedes and buy the original sport shocks that came with my w202? I really don't want to go back to comfort shocks. I've driven numerous C280 and c230 Non-sports and I didn't like the way the car handled compared to mine. Are there any other recommendations out there that can emulate or surpass the handling qualities of the original Sport package shocks?

Thanks for reading =)

 

[grober]

Shocks should ideally be matched to spring rates but we owners of older cars have sometimes to accept its not economically viable for manufacturers to continue to manufacture the complete range of shock absorbers for obsolete models. What happens over the years is a gradual reduction in choice to a "one size fits all situation " or at best the "nearest equivalent" hence using a B4 instead of a B6 at the rear This should not be be so crucial on a car lightly loaded at the rear= normal setup whereas it is much more critical at the front with the greater weight of the the engine and steering inputs and that is still covered by the B6 for you. The 208 shocks will definitely fit the 202 its only the rating that's in question.