Head to head comparison

Compare our 3 proven suspensions: Agile Premium, Performance Elite and Factory Race.

BASE LEVEL

Premium

Our recommended starting point: load-matched rear leaf springs, Bilstein front struts with coil assist, and FOX front and rear shocks.

Front main suspensionBilstein B6 + coil assistIncluded

Rear shocksFOX 2.5 commercial-seriesIncluded

Front shocksFOX 2.0 conventionalIncluded

Suspension summary

Springs matched to your loaded van, paired with the right dampers.
Front spring force and rear leaf springs selected around your loaded 3500.

WORTH IT WHEN

You want a planted highway ride, less sway around passing trucks and less shake on washboard. No settings to change.

Our starting point

For the majority of our clients, this suspension kit meets their driving needs.

Starting parts price

$4,454.85

Configure kit →Add to quote →

Installation, freight, and tax are separate. Confirm springs and wheel hardware before ordering.

See every component in Premium

Premium includes Bilstein B6 front struts, Agile coil assist, FOX 2.0 auxiliary shocks and mounts, FOX 2.5 commercial-series rear shocks, replacement rear leaf springs, and application-specific installation hardware. Front spring force and rear spring selection are confirmed for your vehicle.

Springs support the load. Dampers control its movement. The auxiliary shocks work alongside the front struts. It is a complete package, not a partial upgrade.

INSTALLATION

Includes setup, road testing and alignment. Contact us for an installation quote.

PARTS WARRANTY

Bilstein B6 front struts and FOX Performance Elite components: limited lifetime. Other parts have separate warranty terms.

Internal and external bypass

Factory Race 2.5

Adjustable, internal-bypass front struts and rear shocks, with external-bypass front shocks.

Front main suspensionFOX 2.5 Factory Race internal-bypass strut + coilProgressive control through suspension travel.

Rear shocksFOX 2.5 Factory Race internal bypassMore resistance near travel limits.

Front shocksFOX 2.0 external bypassAdjustable damping by travel zone.

WORTH IT WHEN

You spend enough time on rough, varied surfaces to value bypass damping and its added cost.

SAVE YOUR MONEY WHEN

Your dirt-road driving is occasional and gentle. A properly set-up Premium or Elite is usually enough. Save Factory Race for demanding off-highway use, such as rough corners and repeated compressions that use more suspension travel.

Starting parts price

$13,758.85

Configure kit →Add to quote →

Installation, freight, and tax are separate. Confirm springs and wheel hardware before ordering.

Exactly what changes from Elite?

Main suspension: Factory Race replaces Elite’s front strut-and-coil assemblies and rear shocks with internal-bypass components. Both have adjustable damping; bypass adds a response that changes with position in the suspension travel.

Internal bypass: extra oil passages inside the shock body let oil flow around the main piston near normal ride height. As the suspension moves toward the ends of its travel, those passages close off and resistance increases progressively. The aim is a forgiving ride through small bumps with more control on larger compressions and extensions.

External bypass: oil takes a detour through tubes outside the front shock body. Accessible adjusters let you tune damping by travel zone. Our featured Factory Race package includes these external-bypass front shocks alongside its internal-bypass main suspension.

Still included: load-matched rear leaf springs and application-specific wheel and installation hardware. The correct springs and setup matter at every level.

Matched rear leaf springs

Chosen for your loaded van, in every package.

Chassis-specific setup

Year, drivetrain and front fitment checked before ordering.

Wheel & installation hardware

Dual rear wheels, super singles and offsets reviewed for your van.

SPRINTER 3500 / AT A GLANCE

Suspension differences at a glance

Start with Premium. Elite adds adjustment. Factory Race adds internal bypass. External-bypass front shocks are an option on Elite and Race. Select a price to view that package.

Package	Main front struts and rear shocks	Front shocks	Parts from
Agile PremiumBASE LEVEL · FIXED SETTINGS	Fixed damping (non-adjustable)	Conventional FOX 2.0	$4,454.85 ↗
Performance Elite + FOX 2.0ADDS ADJUSTMENT	Adjustable*	Conventional FOX 2.0	$8,228.72 ↗
Factory Race + FOX 2.0ADDS INTERNAL BYPASS	Adjustable with internal bypass	Conventional FOX 2.0	$10,428.75 ↗
Performance Elite + external bypassADDS EXTERNAL BYPASS	Adjustable*	External bypass	$11,558.82 ↗
Factory Race + external bypassINTERNAL AND EXTERNAL BYPASS	Adjustable with internal bypass	External bypass	$13,758.85 ↗

Parts prices exclude installation, freight and tax. Contact us for an installation quote.

*Elite pricing reflects Agile’s listed kit. 3500XD front-strut compatibility and any revised configuration price must be confirmed before ordering.

AdjustableYou turn knobs to change damping depending on the terrain.

Internal bypassAutomatically varies resistance with position in suspension travel.

External bypassOffers accessible, zone-specific tuning, with oil detouring through tubes outside the shock body.

THE DRIVING AND LIVING EXPERIENCE

How the choices differ

Agile Premium is our highway recommendation. Elite adds adjustment and a step up in ride feel. Factory Race adds bypass control for demanding off-highway use.

Ride and ownership comparison
What matters	Agile Premium	Performance Elite	Factory Race
Highway	Planted through curves. Far less sway from crosswinds and passing trucks.	A step up from Premium in overall ride feel. Adjust the firmness for pavement.	Adjustable firmness for pavement. Bypass adds control as the suspension moves through its travel.
Washboard	Much less shake than stock. More comfortable progress over repeated bumps. Fixed settings.	Adjust the shocks to fine-tune the response to repeated bumps.	Tune the shocks for repeated bumps. Bypass is designed to soften small movements and add control on larger hits.
Rough trails	Springs support the loaded van. Fixed settings offer less tuning flexibility than Elite or Factory Race.	More control over the tune for changing terrain.	More resistance near the ends of suspension travel. Best suited to demanding terrain and repeated compressions.
Driver experience	Springs matched to the load help the van feel planted. Less steering correction. No knobs to manage.	A higher stance in our builds. Final height depends on load and setup. More settings to manage.	More tuning options than Pro or Premium. Worth considering if you will use those adjustments.
Interior rattles	Greatly reduced in our experience. Some door, cabinet and window noise can remain.	Tuning may reduce harsh movement. It does not repair a squeaky door or cabinet.	Tuning may reduce harsh movement. It does not repair a squeaky door or cabinet.
Parked movement	Some movement remains when people walk around.	Adjustment changes motion control. It does not hold the van still.	Adjustment controls movement. It does not hold a parked van still.

Pro and Elite ride descriptions reflect WPO’s driving experience. Factory Race descriptions explain its hardware and intended use. Tires, pressure, load and settings affect the result. Choose speed for the road and weather. Strong crosswinds still affect the van.

Fewer rattles

We see a large reduction with Premium. Some noise remains. Door alignment, cabinet hardware and window seals can still need attention. No suspension kit makes a parked van motionless.

A solution for your budget

Build the suspension your van needs

We build your suspension around your van, your driving and your budget.

Most builds start with the rear leaf springs chosen to support the vehicle’s loaded weight. Every van is different. Shocks can help control movement, but they’re rarely the complete answer on their own.

Complete the form below for a custom quote.

Wolf Pack Overland

Let’s build your custom suspension quote

Built around your van and your budget

Complete the form below for a custom quote, or book a consult.

Fast install Lifetime installation labor Five star rated

Book a Consult

What's in the driveway? Vehicle year Drivetrain Timeline for Installation Where does your van spend its time?

What do you want to improve?

Sway and body roll Crosswind stability Harsh ride over bumps Washboard and rough road control Rear sag or added weight Not sure. I just want it to drive better

Tell us about the van (optional)

Where should we send your quote?

First Name Last Name Email Phone optional

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

The details, when you want them.

Why do you recommend Premium?

It meets the needs of most 3500 owners. We match the springs to the loaded van and set up the shocks. Choose Performance Elite or Factory Race when you want to adjust the ride.

Which front shocks are included?

Agile Premium and our featured Performance Elite package include conventional FOX 2.0 front auxiliary shocks. Our featured Factory Race package includes FOX 2.0 external-bypass front auxiliary shocks.

External-bypass front shocks are an optional Elite upgrade. We recommend the extra cost only when there is a clear reason for it.

Do I need axle weights before asking for a quote?

No. Tell us about your van and what you want to improve. Before choosing springs, we need loaded front and rear axle weights. Include your normal passengers, water, fuel and gear.

A suspension upgrade does not increase the van’s weight ratings.

Does “2.5” mean 2.5 inches of lift?

No. It describes the shock size. Ride height depends on springs, load and setup. We check clearance and alignment for your van.

What fitment details do you need?

Mercedes chassis year, drivetrain, axle weights, wheels, tires and existing modifications. These pages cover 4WD/AWD applications. The RV model year alone is not enough.

Tell us about Mercedes factory rear air conditioning. Agile identifies an interference issue with its front auxiliary shock mounts.

On a 3500, tell us whether you have dual rear wheels or a super-single conversion.

What should a 3500XD owner know about Elite?

3500XD dual-rear-wheel vans need a separate front-strut fitment check. Agile’s kit listing and FOX’s front-strut instructions differ for these vans. We confirm the correct front assembly and final price before ordering.

Can I buy parts for a DIY install?

The Agile product pages offer parts purchases. Parts prices exclude installation, freight and applicable tax. Confirm the configuration and fitment before ordering.

Specifications and sources

Agile prices are from our current product listings. Race hardware and photos are restored from our earlier comparison. Current product prices were checked October 27, 2026. Recommendations reflect Wolf Pack Overland’s experience.

FOX warranty Bilstein warranty

SPRINTER 3500 SUSPENSIONS