W212 E350 'Sport' Springs - MB or Bilstein?

[TeddyRuxpin]

Hi,

2010 E350 with 50k miles. I think one of the front springs broke, no idea how or why. In any case - has anybody swapped them over for Bilstein/Sachs springs, or did you stick to MB? It's about a 2x difference in price.

Bilsteins are £100 for the pair, delivered via AUTODOC.
Sachs are £109 for the pair via Carparts4less (basically Euro Car Parts online only store)
MB are £232 for the pair via local dealer (£214 via Mercedes Newcastle on eBay)

Obviously MB is the least likely to cause issues and I'm leaning towards that, but are the originals simply rebranded Bilsteins/Sachs?

Cheers!

 

[RichardF]

I use a specialist MB guy. Generally he's happy to fit pattern parts, with springs he prefers MB. I leave it up to him, even though the parts are more expensive the labours the same, so in the grand scheme of things not much more expensive.

 

[clk320x]

I used MB, there’s so many different variants I couldn’t be bothered with aftermarkets.

 

[Teego]

If your original MB spring failed at only 50k why would OEM be better than Bilstein or Sachs?

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

Well, **** happens. I have another W212 with original shocks and springs and that's on 181k

 

[Trickythemerc]

I had a number of springs go pop on the CLK. Two fronts and one rear, bit the bullet and fitted Billy shocks and Eibach springs, been good ever scince.

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

From some googling, it seems that the originals are made by Sachs. I'll do a bit more googling to see if I can confirm....

 

[ray_hennig]

From some googling, it seems that the originals are made by Sachs. I'll do a bit more googling to see if I can confirm....

Aftermarket springs can lead to height issues that may then need time and expense to resolve. Better to get the correct ones from MB. Unless you're doing the work yourself and enjoy playing.

And do change both at the same time.

RayH

 

[Gazwould]

I got a Starline coil spring from ECP and was pleasantly surprised .

 

[OneForTheRoad]

I got a Starline coil spring from ECP and was pleasantly surprised .

Why did the package contain a bar of chocolate ?

 

[ALFAitalia]

There is a guy I use on eBay for ALFA parts.....most of the time you order stuff it comes with a bag of Haribo or wine gums in the box with the part. Nice touch........got a mug with his company name on lt last time.

 

[SpikyMikey]

There is a guy I use on eBay for ALFA parts.....most of the time you order stuff it comes with a bag of Haribo or wine gums in the box with the part. Nice touch........got a mug with his company name on lt last time.

My contact lenses always arrive with a packet of Haribos in the box. I never get a look in however; Mrs S always nicks them.

 

[W1ghty]

From some googling, it seems that the originals are made by Sachs. I'll do a bit more googling to see if I can confirm....

My W211 was original Sachs shocks that came off , (so I bought Sachs shocks and springs )

 

[markjay]

Sachs make the original springs for MB, but you'll still need to know the spring rate in order to ensure that you're buying an identical one to the genuine MB item. The springs should be colour coded, or, ideally, you'll be able to find the original Sachs part number stamped on the broken spring.

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

Thanks for the info - AUTODOC have Sachs for both sport and standard suspension, mine would be the Sport variant. £110 delivered - quite a difference from MB. Every little helps...

 

[ray_hennig]

AUTODOC have Sachs

But do make sure that what you order from AutDoc corresponds exactly to the correct MB reference.

R

 

[Petrol Pete]

Not all MB springs are made by Sachs , my fronts were made by Eibach....who incidentally wouldn't sell direct to me , I had to go through MB parts department.

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

But do make sure that what you order from AutDoc corresponds exactly to the correct MB reference.

R

Yes, as usual with MB there are several different codes for the same part that all 'fit' the same car, pretty confusing.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Yes, as usual with MB there are several different codes for the same part that all 'fit' the same car, pretty confusing.

You ideally need the colour dots from a mb dealers if they've faded from the existing springs. Then take it from there . The spring rate is mated up to the shock bound and rebound.

 

[TeddyRuxpin]

Thank you - on the 'good' side I can peek in and see one green dot and one brown dot. I can't see anything on the 'bad' side or on my other W212.

'll see if that helps tracking things down. But yes, it might be best to just cough up for the MB ones if I'm unsure.