BILSTEIN have been supplying Mercedes-Benz with gas-pressure shocks for 60 years. A significant anniversary!

Back in 1957, just three years after the engineers at BILSTEIN developed the first gas-pressure shock absorber according to the De-Carbon principle, the breakthrough was achieved: At Mercedes-Benz, the decision was made to use the innovative products from Ennepetal in series production. Even then, the BILSTEIN gas-pressure shock absorbers were convincing due to their constant damping performance as well as the high quality and durability. For 60 years now, the German car manufacturers have relied on the proven BILSTEIN products.

In those days, the monthly production volume was only 3,000 shock absorbers. Mercedes-Benz first exclusively used them in the Mercedes 300 d. Unlike the previously used oil shock absorbers, the BILSTEIN gas-pressure shock absorber had a constant damping performance, since the use of nitrogen prevents shock absorber oil from foaming. Thanks to the constancy and stable characteristic, it was possible for the first time to adapt suspension to different road conditions. Accordingly, these shock absorbers also became of interest to motor racing, since the characteristics of race tracks could now be catered foer, which in some cases led to a decisive advantage for Mercedes. Today BILSTEIN is able to look back on a motorsport success story that started in the early 1960s.

BILSTEIN shock absorbers had their first victories in the rally sport in 1960. At that time, Walter Schock and his co-driver Rolf Moll won the 29th Rally Monte Carlo in a Mercedes 220 SE equipped with BILSTEIN gas-pressure shock absorbers. Also second and third places went to Mercedes, also on BILSTEIN. Even then, the technical superiority of the new shock absorbers was evident and the company acquired a reputation in various motorsport classes; BILSTEIN shock absorbers were installed for the first time in Formula-1 racing cars in 1961 in a Porsche, and nowadays they cannot be dispensed with in racing.

What is special about the long-standing partnership between BILSTEIN and Mercedes-Benz is the close cooperation in development. BILSTEIN also designs innovative and perfectly tuned suspension solutions for today’s models. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class models, from the W220 onwards, have been operating with an air suspension system from BILSTEIN since 1999. From 2002 onwards air suspension modules have been available on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Looking to the future, BILSTEIN’s innovative strength and expertise will continue to be reliable. For the current type W222 of the Mercedes-Benz S-class BILSTEIN supplies the AIRMATIC ADS PLUS air suspension system with stepless damping control. Based on different vehicle data, the system can individually adjust the damping force for each wheel within milliseconds. In this way, driving comfort, driving safety and agility can be better matched. Various air suspension systems from BILSTEIN, such as AIRMATIC ADS PLUS, are also optional on Mercedes-Benz C-Class models.

In addition to air suspension systems and electronically controlled shock absorbers, BILSTEIN also supplies conventional shock-absorber models for current series at Mercedes-Benz. For example, the amplitude-selective damping force adjustment system AGILITY CONTROL for the C- and E-Class. The company is already making an important contribution to the future viability and diversity of the Mercedes-Benz suspension portfolio. As in the past 60 years, BILSTEIN will continue to supply advanced and spohisticated products to Mercedes, for the road and for the race track.

Although the annual production output of BILSTEIN now amounts to approximately 10 million shock absorbers, all the products are adapted precisely to the needs of customers. This is the reason why BILSTEIN has established itself as a standard supplier of Mercedes-Benz.