ProjectC55

I need two rear Bilstein sports. Can anyone recommend a spot where I can order them online?

503C43 ////AMG

I searched for EVER and tirerack.com was the cheapest place I found them

ProjectC55

went to tire rack and I did not find them!

ProjectC55

Guess I will have to order the ones for the CLK430 thats all they show.

C43AMG

Do they have anything listed for the W210 E55 ?

John-in-Dallas

I've bought Bilsteins from TireRack also (C43 and other cars).

I didn't find a Bilstein application for the C43 anywhere on the aftermarket, including the Bilstein website, so you may have to go with the C280 Sport application or try the dealer.

The shocks on the C43 were advertised as having special valving with more firmness on short strokes with less firmness as the stroke progresses.

I put the Bilstein HD settings for the C280 Sport on my C43, and I can't tell the difference from the originals in terms of ride comfort or handling. I'm running the "Euro AMG" OEM springs, and they also ride just like the original US versions, although much lower.

I don't think my original shocks were really worn out, but I learned that Bilsteins can and do lose gas pressure with age, and they can lose performance over time regardless of mileage. That happened to me in 2008 with my '91 Corvette with less than 30K miles. The rebound control became completely shot. The experience with Bilsteins was confirmed by an engineer that had worked for the company who was on the Corvette forums at the time.

JohnnyRock

Looking also and this was my outcome as well. I found a complete set on eBay for $339?! I'm in contact with a vendor from my old BMW forums and they wanted about $500 for a set of Koni's, so I asked him about a set of Bilsteins since I'm a cheap ****....

503C43 ////AMG

I do not know why they are not on tirerack.com anymore but that's where I bought them like 6 months ago. I think I paid $360 with shipping.

RANDY_P

mbpartswarehouse.com is where I got mine from. I paid like $68 ea for the Billy sports.

Two thumbs up for that place.

DRBC43AMG

I checked out the Bilstein factory site in Germany and nothing is listed in the 2011 catalogue for the 43 Hmmm what gives Is it a special order now or replaced by something else? I wonder...

ProjectC55

They are not listed under C43 on that site neither. They r listed under the CLK for 20.00 cheaper than tire rack for 67.00. Damn that is much cheaper though than what I paid tire rack.

503C43 ////AMG

Here are the part #'s for C43 bilsteins:

HD part numbers:
Front - B36-1856
Rear - B36-1857

Sport part numbers:
Front - F4-B36-1854-H0
Rear - F4-B36-1855-H0

I got the sports from tirerack.com, again I am unsure why they are no longer selling them. the part number should be the same regardless of where you look for them.

ProjectC55

Those appear to be the same part #'s for the CLK430

DRBC43AMG

So I went back to the factory product catalogue and found the sports series (B8) in the CLK range (208). See attached page

503C43 ////AMG

I did a ton of research before I purchased mine and contacted Bilstein, these were the part #'s they gave me for the C43...

Saaboteur

When I ordered mine from Essex Distributors (for a Canadian source), I used the CLK numbers. They weren't sure it corresponded to the C43, but clearly it does. I've had them on the car since November... The C43 and the CLK430 are almost identical underneath, there's enough parts bin sharing to make that work out okay.

pnsji

I got my shocks from www.shockwarehouse.com
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index....cted_year=2002

The front seems to be different part number. the back is the same.

JohnnyRock

From my experience with the BMW crowd, Bilstein HD's are a good choice for OEM applications as they are valved the same as their "Sport" line albeit not for lowered springs. For the AMG springs (slightly lower and/or stiffer), the proper choice would be Bilstein Sports, as they offer shorter rebound/compression, in other words, designed to work within the parameters of a lower, stiffer spring.

As for the blown Bilstein, I'm sure any good company would have offered a replacement or re-valving if you returned the shock to them.

johnhef

I second mbpartswarehouse.com i get all my shocks from them, no one has found to be cheaper for Bil sports.

popey24

The reason the Bilstein B8 are no more listed in the cataloge for C43 is that they are not suitable for our car. A new B8 is much softer than a 10 years old standard Mercedes shock (customized by Bilstein).

DRBC43AMG

Hi Popey24, that is interesting So what do you suggest as a replacement Are the dealer items as good as the old Bilstein?

popey24

Two years ago I ordered the Bilstein B8 shocks, but it was terrible to drive. So after two days I exchanged them with the old ones.
When I phone with a Bilstein engeneer, he told me, the B8 is not suitable for C43.

As far as I know there are no other shocks as stock ones available on marked.
I decided to install the KW screw kit with stainless 2-pipe shocks that seems to be the only one designed especially for C43.

DRBC43AMG

Thanks Popey24 Interesting comment. Would the shocks from a w208 be suitable? I have chosen the KW V2 suspension upgrade, but that will be later when I have some available cash

Saaboteur

My car has W208 spec'd Bilsteins. The cars are almost the same underneath. Do it!

hoontastic

these guys have a set of sports for $325 (shipped). Is that a good price?

http://www.proamauto.com/page15bco47.htm

What else should be looked at? What bushings are high wear parts? Do you recommend lowering if going with the sports? If so are there any lowering springs that are a mild drop?

thanks!