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Koni vs. Bilstein vs. Sachs

Help, Advice and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's P80 platform cars -- Volvo's 1990s "bread and butter" cars -- powered by the ubiquitous and durable Volvo inline 5-cylinder engine.

1992 - 1997 850, including 850 R, 850 T-5R, 850 T-5, 850 GLT
1997 - 2000 S70, S70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70, V70 AWD
1997 - 2000 V70-XC
1997 - 2004 C70
This topic is in the MVS Volvo Repair Database » Choosing between Koni vs. Bilstein vs. Sachs Shocks/Struts
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brunocerous
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Re: Koni vs. Bilstein vs. Sachs

Post by brunocerous »

Ouch. It looks like somebody drunk-welded those Sensen shocks.

Did you call the retailer who sold them? I'd imagine they would take them back.

Or, you could always buy a cheap welder from Harbor Freight and beef them up! :P
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erikv11
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Post by erikv11 »

Yeah, I don't think i would install those on a car I wanted to get through the winter in Queens. A lot of people like Monroe Sensa-trac as a cheap strut, in my limited experience they are OK on a sedan and unacceptable squishy on a wagon. Not my favorite but not bad for the money. I prefer the TC and Sachs but they are pricier. Wish I could justify the cash to try out Koni FSDs ...
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theWIFES_S70
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Post by theWIFES_S70 »

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, I just ordered the Monroes. (This is just what I needed to hear, erikv11!)

Brunocerous, if you get a welder I'd love to see you try to beef up these welds!

E, one day... one day...
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RussB
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Post by RussB »

Weld a sealed, pressurized strut and very bad things will happen!
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scot850
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Post by scot850 »

Aren't those welds just on the end-link brackets? They are poor but good enough for the job they have to do.

Munroe shocks. Never on my car! Having said that, our 2006 XC70 has the adjustable Munro's fitted from new by Volvo and they are just starting to get squishy. Maybe next year will swap them out. I think I heard there is now a Sachs option for these 4-C shocks.

I like what I hear about the Koni FSD's. Everyone seems to love them that have fitted them to their Volvos.

Neil.
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