Koni vs. Bilstein vs. Sachs

pman7373 · Post by **pman7373** » 20 Jul 2010, 11:43

For a shock and strut replacement does anyone have any experience with these brands? My car is squeaky and I think in need of a shock/strut job.

Post by **JRL** » 20 Jul 2010, 11:55

I've used all but before I answer you need to post the kind of Volvo, your mileage, wheels and tires, what kind of ride are you looking for, etc.
MOST of the time, struts and shocks don't squeak per se, but there are other parts around them that do

Post by **cn90** » 20 Jul 2010, 11:59

I have Bilstein TC on both front and back and love it.
My wife thinks the car is better than when new from showroom!!!
Bilstein TC is just as tiny bit stiffer than OEM Sachs but I like it, the ride is more controlled.

FYI: Bilstein has L.T. warranty.

pman7373 · Post by **pman7373** » 20 Jul 2010, 12:49

Thanks for the fast response Guys! I have a 2000 S70 with 112,000 miles, Continental 205/55 R16 all season tires, Borbet Wheels (my originals bent from potholes), one replaced control arm (going to replace both when I do the struts), the rest should be original parts. I am looking for a fairly smooth and responsive ride.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 20 Jul 2010, 13:00

If you can afford them (I can't) the Koni Yellows are great since they are adjustable. I have replaced two sets, the Platinum got Bilstein TCs and I put Monroe's on my son's car. As was pointed out the TCs are slightly harsher than stock but the handling is great. The Monroe's ride OK but the handling really isn't much better than worn out Sachs/Boge. The OEM Sachs stuff isn't bad at all. It all depends on what you are after - ride or handling. My '94 now has over 240K one the originals and the handling is getting kinda poor, I think I will go either Sachs or Bilstein TCs on it.

...Lee

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 20 Jul 2010, 15:25

The base Konis are great. I unfortunately got screwed over by IPDs warehouse as I need to redo my suspension this weekend but they are out of stock of the set of 4 konis; they are much too expensive when sold in sets of 2. If you can wait until IPD gets them back in stock, go with those.

hrahn · Post by **hrahn** » 25 Jul 2010, 02:42

If you need to replace both front and rear shocks and you've got the money, go for the Koni FSD-kit. The golden Konis offer adaptive damping, if you go harsh in a corner they stiffen up more than when you go soft. They are a bit stiffer than the factory setup and just drive great.
I didn't use them for one reason only: I have almost brand new Nivomats in my wagon and need them because I'm often hauling a lot of stuff around. The Sachs OEM front shocks are oil dampers btw and a bit wobbly, the rear Sachs standard are gas though.
Bilstein seem to be a good compromise between Koni and OEM, heard a lot of praise for them. B6 are a little stiffer than standard and offer great control (and are not too expensive).

Beware of Monroe, I have Monroe Reflex as front shocks and after 25000km they are all rusty, the rubber shock protectors have actually worn the paint off the tubes, and they don't seem very responsive at all. Pulled a set out of a (much lighter) Opel Astra after 100.000km, they were completely bad. As a contrast, the Nivomats I pulled out of my car at 250.000km were still working, although not nearly as good as they should.

Post by **JRL** » 25 Jul 2010, 05:14

Try www.shox.com
Best prices out there for springs and shocks and their proce for Konis are the best in the country
They can (and do) sell them cheaper than what IPD pays for them!

gobies · Post by **gobies** » 04 Dec 2014, 02:55

Late to this, but had Bilsteins on a 2001 V70 T5. They were great until I'd put about 40k miles on them. I expected them to loosen and soften with age, but they became rock-like. Still well controlled on highway/smooth roads/at speed, but small abrupt changes like a manhole cover or expansion joint were jarring. Passenger side front went through spring seats at 10-15k each, even punched hole in the hood. Replaced them with new Bilsteins (only Konis at the time were cutastrut), problem "mostly" went away with new, but things like a small drop on a manhole cover felt like a small curb. I suspect that the "gap/free play" described below, over time, damaged the struts internally resulting in their eventual rock-hard performance. Should mention that the top sheet metal where the struts, bearing and spring seat mount, bulged slightly from the pounding.
Saved them with intention of sending them to Bilsteins for evaluation.
Have since read on one of the forums (off-hand, don't remember which), that the problem is apparently a slight difference in effective length of the strut, a little gap of free play, before the strut compresses and after it rebounds. Volvo strut has a separate bump stop, Bilstein's is built in. Solution apparently is to place a large washer between strut and spring seat, taking up gap, and spreading load across the seat (or something like that). Didn't get a chance to try it out, as my car was totaled(Volvo did it's job, lightly bruised driver).
Still,going to send a strut to Bilstein. It will be Konis for me next time; had them on a TR3A and a Saab 96 V4 and loved the them. Bilsteins are touted as responding instantly to small motions, but in the case of my V70, the response was an instant too late. This has no bearing on any other Bilstein HD fitment, maybe only P2 V70s, maybe only to my very early 2001 Swedish-made V70 (the last six digits of the VIN were only four....009xxx). I've friends who've installed Bilsteins on full size trucks, and love them, know Mercedes drivers who swear buy them. And Volvo has mounted them from the factory as well. FYI, I bought mine from eshock for significantly less than IPD and others. Hope some other P2 Bilstein driver will rebut.

Post by **oragex** » 04 Dec 2014, 06:43

Meyle is not that expensive and it's good quality. Ride should be close to OEM
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Volvo-850-93-97 ... aa&vxp=mtr