Bilstein supplier suggestions.

[mrkozzy]

Hi Guys. Thought I'd throw an easy one for my 1st ever thread.
I have a 1975 116 280 se. Am looking for Bilstein shocks for the rear. (regular ones not self leveling). Where is the best to go? I have found some pretty keen pricing from the States even with shipping, but surely someone on Oz can supply them a reasonable price. These are supply only, however if theres a recommendation for someone to supply and fit, I would consider.
Pedders quoted me $360 (pair) fitted yesterday, for their "Own Brand".
Over to the Brains Trust.
I am in Melbourne.

 

[BenzBoy]

You might find this site useful. Go to "Where to buy" for a list of suppliers.
http://www.quadrantsuspensions.com.au/bilstein.htm
Regards,
Brian

 

[Tony66_au]

Pedders stuff isnt bad and their back up service is pretty good.

Id say $360 fitted is about on the money really.

I used to sub all my suspension work out to them when I had the shop and they never let me down and my clients were always happy with their stuff too.

The other thing to keep in mind is that Mercedes Benz would have spent millions of Deuche Marks on developing the SLS system for the S Classe and that changing out the SLS will effect the handling of the car.

Pedders have the Hydromat (Shaker suspension tester) and can find and tweak any issues which is a diagnostic capability beyond most of us.

Worth keeping in mind.

Oh and Welcome to TK!


Cheers,
Tony

 

[abl567]

I have found parts to be always cheaper from the States, and with our dollar worth more than the Greenback now it is even more attractive, and they usually arrive within a week.
Oh, and welcome

 

[Fotografa]

I think I'd take Bilsteins over Pedders "own brand".
I can get a pair of rear Bilsteins for your car landed here for AUD$240.00 and they are not that hard to fit yourself, you'd knock it over in 2 hours with a few tools.

 

[SELfor50]

I think I'd take Bilsteins over Pedders "own brand".
I can get a pair of rear Bilsteins for your car landed here for AUD$240.00 and they are not that hard to fit yourself, you'd knock it over in 2 hours with a few tools.

What Mr Grafa said. I got the HD top of the range one's landed here for about that price. The top of the range HD ones here, cheapest I could find, was about $500.

I'll try and dig up the link for the site I got mine from, they do the standard bilsteins too and they were well cheap even including shipping.

I also did it when the AUD was at like 80c so at this point - jump on it and get from the states is my recommendation.


Will try find the site.

 

[SELfor50]

I'm pretty sure I got mine from these guys.

Keep playing around and filtering by vehicle.. there are also some that are HD and fit a W126 etc.. that will fit. Depends if you want it a bit lower and firmer or not.

Even the B46 bilsteins will be good though.

http://www.autopartsdealer.com/bilstein_tc_touring_class_series_shocks_and_struts-p268518-g.html

 

[mrkozzy]

Thanks for the info guys.
I've come back to see lots of alternatives.
I'll investigate further using the info and post a response once I decide.

Thanks once again and Happy New Year to all!

 

[Styria]

Mr. Kozzy, I would always try and buy genuine, from someone like the Classic Centre in the States - I always use abl567 in cases like that. Not for one moment do I suggest that you should not use an experienced supplier like Fotografa, nor am I rubbishing Tony's experience with the Pedders product.

It is just that I have heard on the grapevine (if you can trust that source), that many of the Bilstein products are now manufactured In Asia (Thailand), and the quality is questionable. As an aside, do not buy De Carbon gas units - I had bad experience with theirs that were fitted to a 6.3. Regards Styria

 

[Fotografa]

It is just that I have heard on the grapevine (if you can trust that source), that many of the Bilstein products are now manufactured In Asia (Thailand), and the quality is questionable.

In the 100's of Bilstein shocks and steering dampers that have passed through my hands I have never had one that was not made in Germany.

Is there any basis for this rumour, either that they are being made in Asia, or that the quality is inferior?

Not disputing it, just looking for facts.

 

[Styria]

Hi Fotografa, one of the Sydney after market suppliers mentioned 'casually' that 'even Bilstein products that are made in Thailand" and they are rubbish., or at least the ones made in that country. This guy is a supplier, and possibly importer, on a fairly substantial level and what else can one say ? Is he right or wrong ? Who knows.

I personally have a slight concern about the quality of after market Air Cells that are now sold and fitted to 6.9s. Mind you, nothing I can really put my finger on - it is just a gut feeling and, furthermore, I am not sure if I'm talking about Meyle units or those manufactured by Febi-Bilstein. All I know is that 'they are no longer what they used to be' - in the olden days, replacement units would last at least eight to ten years, whilst nowadays you'd be lucky to get better than three or four. Regards Styria

 

[BenzBoy]

Where are Bilstein products made?
From their own website it appears they are made in Germany or the USA. That does not mean there is not a plant in Asia.
See: http://www.bilsteindealer.com.au/
Regards,
Brian

 

[260ebenz]

Just looking at that Bilstein site I could only see shocks for 4WD vehciles what about sedans?

 

[BenzBoy]

Just looking at that Bilstein site I could only see shocks for 4WD vehciles what about sedans?

You are of course, quite correct. I was referring to the claim made there - "Bilstein Shocks are made in Germany or the USA with precision German Engineering Design and are further improved to meet Australian requirements with technical knowledge from Bilstein Australia and input from specialist suppliers like CalOffroad." It raises the question if all Bilsteins are made in Germany/USA.
Regards,
Brian

 

[Tony66_au]

Here is your answer re Bilstein plants.

Throughout the world, the name ThyssenKrupp Bilstein Suspension stands for innovation and high-tech solutions in chassis engineering. With its competitive chassis engineering solutions and with production facilities in Europe, North and South America, andAsia, the company supplies a complete range of damping and suspension products. Moreover, ThyssenKrupp Bilstein Suspension has for many years, been a preferred partner in motor sports and vehicle tuning.

http://www.thyssenkrupp-bilstein.de/en.html

 

[BenzBoy]

So it's the old story: Oils ain't oils and shock absorbers ain't shock absorbers anymore....
Regards,
Brian

 

[Tony66_au]

So it's the old story: Oils ain't oils and shock absorbers ain't shock absorbers anymore....
Regards,
Brian

Yes and No Brian,

If the whole plant is Bilstein, set up to their exacting standards and QA measures but staffed locally then i cant see how the product would be any different.

Having sourced and commissioned manufacturing in China and Taiwan I can tell you that most of the horror stories you hear are not due to the shoddy manufacture but due to a lower spec built to a price item.

I've had some fairly delicate stuff volume made in china and its as good as the Japanese stuff I replaced it with at half my cost.

If id been greedy I could have had a similar product made at a lower spec for an 1/8th of the price but it wouldn't have been as good.

I think the issue with Bilstein came from some off road products that were built to a price and from memory this happened back in 2006 but im not at liberty to elaborate apart from saying that sour grapes were involved.

Tony