I have a '98 GLE and wanted to improve upon the suspension in terms of reducing roll & slightly inc. stiffness to get a sportier feel. This is what I did:

1st - tried FSTB & Addco RSB. This was cool, but not enough of a "firm feel"

2nd - installed rear SE springs w/ KYB-GR2's. When I first got this setup (last summer) I was so happy when i drove home from the shop. My suspension was so firm w/ the GR2's yet smooth w/ the stock "SE" suspension.

Then the colder months came, and then winter (btw i'm in NY). My goodness I couldn't stand the roughness of the ride over bumps, it was digusting me. I was becoming very disappointed w/ my setup. Now that the temp is rising, i notice that the ride is returning back to smooth yet firm around above the low 40's F.

So now, I am desperate to solve this problem. I want to achieve that smooth-firm suspension throughout ALL of the seasons!!! I read somewhere that the harshness comes from being a gas shock. But I also read that both Tokico "blues" (HP) & Illuminas are "smoother" riding than KYB's and don't get the "cold effect". How can this be if they too are gas shocks? Anyhow, I need your guy's help in figuring out what is the correct set of dampers I should get - whether KYB, Tokico, or whatever company that would solve my problem. I may even go back to stock shocks if necessary to get rid of the roughness !

 

if you want to keep the stock ride height, get Tokico HP's ( budget) or Illuminas
(premium).

I am assuming that you ride on stock wheels

Nick.

 

Yes I have stock 15" GLE rims, though I might switch to 16" rims. Like i asked before, why would either of the tokicos be a solution if they too are gas shocks? I am just trying to be more educated this time around before actually investing money into a modification and not knowing the consequences. Thanks for your input.