My wife was just given her fathers 97 SLS and the right rear shock has a dry rotted air boot. Left side is good. Do you guys recommend replacing the bad shock with an original from a parts yard or go with an Arnott type setup. One thing I would like to understand better realizing the Arnott retains the level control but not the electronic dampening. .....how much difference is there losing the electronic dampening?

Thankis

Just like tires, brake pads and rotors, always replace shocks and struts in matched pairs.

With an active suspension such as yours, (which also includes rear level control) a change to passive shocks will always result in some loss of suspension control features. The active road sensing is there for a reason: defeat it and overall handling suffers. Regardless of who makes the aftermarket passive shock or front strut.

If you never drive the car as a fast sports sedan you won't notice the loss of road control.