Difference between Sachs and OEM struts?

[shiloh51933]

Just checked FCP and they have both, white and blue sticker Sachs. The only problem I'm having is that neither the blue nor the white sticker oem part #s match with my code in the service plate Now what could be the difference between a K9 code (OEM part# 8612887) and part # 860091 with the corresponding codes 39, 49, 59, F3, R2, R9, T6, F5, H2, H5, H8, H9, N1, M7, M5, Y4, Y7, M7 Obviously there's something there because both struts have different prices but as far as design, maybe the piston rod might be difference I"m looking for.
Reason I'm saying this is because even the bump stops are different shape and the 8612887 requires a certain bump stop.

Am I drowning myself here or what?

Get the blue sticker, they should fit... the difference is valving between sticker colors and I believe the blue are grand tour with good handling decent ride over bumps.

[MadeInJapan]

Someone mentioned Bilstein Touring...good choice too- I have them on my '98 S70 and they've lasted and lasted and give you a bit of a easier ride. Those coupled with IPD HD end links and their sway bars are a very good compromise even on bad roads compared to OEM or stiffer Bilstein or Koni's. Just saying but ...let me think...I believe I got them from a place (for a good price) called Shox.com but it's been many many years ago, so you might have to google them.

[RigsPGT]

Someone mentioned Bilstein Touring...good choice too- I have them on my '98 S70 and they've lasted and lasted and give you a bit of a easier ride. Those coupled with IPD HD end links and their sway bars are a very good compromise even on bad roads compared to OEM or stiffer Bilstein or Koni's. Just saying but ...let me think...I believe I got them from a place (for a good price) called Shox.com but it's been many many years ago, so you might have to google them.

Did they raise your front?
I don't mind raising the rear end a bit as it looks like it's sagging but don't want to raise the front end at all.

[erikv11]

The Bilsteins used to have the spring perch mounted a little higher, so the struts raised the front of the car a little bit. But I remember seeing forum posts a few years ago showing how the manufacturer changed ("fixed") that. So their struts no longer change the front ride height.

Shocks can not affect ride height in the rear, that is determined solely by the springs.

[DanZ51]

I'm in search of decent struts for my daughter's XC70 right now. I need something cheap enough that will last a few seasons. Roads are rough up here in vermont and she was blessed with her father's right foot (dammit). So this whole blue, white or red label kinda threw me off. I managed to locate the Sachs website and navigate through it. It seems as though the white label is the base Sachs strut, red is listed as a "reinforced" version, and blue label is the Boge (Sachs makes Boge) brand shock (may be OE?).

http://www.zf.com/usa_canada/en_us/sach ... ers_3.html

https://webcat.zf.com/index.asp?country=USA&SPR=4

Rock Auto sells the red label (verified by part number) so that's a no-brainer for me.

[RigsPGT]

I contacted both IPD and FCP about the blue and white labels and here's what they had to say about them:

Kevin@ IPD "Thank you for your email the blue label is an oil strut not gas, so it is not very firm. I don't see any white label struts listed so I'm not sure what that is.

FCP :The units are one in the same. The photo is a bit outdated, our apologies.

From what I'm seeing they are the same thing and at some point they decided to change the labels, why? I don't know. Rockauto was the cheapest of all for a set of fronts for my S70 and matching that with a discount code, the shipping charges were almost non existent.
Can you please post the part numbers for red label ones? You are getting them for an XC right? Isn't the XC a bit raised compared to S70s?

[IronMike]

What about these? https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... sac-033085

[oragex]

I'll throw in my 2c. I don't think any Sachs offer the same feeling as the original Volvo ones. They furnished the original equipment, but it doesn't mean they sell the exact same product in aftermarket with the same quality of internals. With this in mind, there is more than one quality in the Sachs strut product line up. There is the regular one which comes with a white sticker, and I can say these are cheap. I used them then replaced with the Monroe, and the Monroe were better. Then there is the Super Touring Sachs which come with a blue sticker: these are the best Sachs (still, not as good as the original equipment). Be aware that many internet sites display the blue sticker and ship the white sticker ones.

And there is also Boge, which are made in the same factory as Sachs. I had the Boge struts and these were terrible.

As for Monroe, again Monroe comes in different qualities, for example Monroe 71699 are cheap while the Monroe 71485 are ok (these are for the S60). Both are named OE Spectrum.

[oragex]

What about these? https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... sac-033085

These are the cheaper Sachs struts. These don't offer good handling and are on the stiff side. Go with the blue sticker ones, called Super Touring.

[famfeld]

I bought a pair of oe Sachs for my v70 and now for my 2004 xc70. The ones for the v70 are both leaking and I feel the ones for the xc70 are spongy. I bought from fcp euro and didn't pay attention to the sticker color. I'm going to go check b.c I have a new one in the box on warranty from fcp ready to swap out for the xc70. It feels clunky/noisy on really small bumps. I would like to get better equipment or finally solve the suspension issue. Most people say Sachs are good and oe, but that hasn't been my experience unless I'm overlooking something.
Feld