Difference between Sachs and OEM struts?

Post by **scot850** » 26 Jan 2019, 12:01

Sachs do tend to be a little softer. As mentioned the Super Touring, like the Bilstien Touring are a little firmer. Volvo has a range of part numbers for the shocks for different markets and models (Base v's say T5).

Neil.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 26 Jan 2019, 12:13

Where are those shocks made? In Europe Sachs dampers have a silver sticker and are made in Germany. Mine are brilliant and it was like buying a new car when I installed them.

Post by **yair** » 27 Jan 2019, 01:16

I've bought Sachs struts from FCP for my 850. They were made in Turkey, I wasn't impressed with the quality.
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... 70-553-058

Post by **cn90** » 16 May 2019, 12:06

Can someone explained to me why Sachs WHITE label is "not good"?

Is BLUE label better? Any proof on the quality issue between White vs Blue labels?

Post by **abscate** » 17 May 2019, 04:58

Please ask Siri “ whats better than Sachs?” And tabulate responses here

Post by **cn90** » 18 May 2019, 22:27

famfeld wrote: 26 Jan 2019, 05:37 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...

Hi Feld,

The Sachs quick strut 033078 for 2004 V70 seems decent with good reviews on FCP website.
However, it is white label and it is made in Turkey (not that it matters).
But I wonder what your experience with White label Sachs Strut?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... 78#fitment

callahanoffroad · Post by **callahanoffroad** » 20 May 2019, 17:16

cn90 wrote: 18 May 2019, 22:27
famfeld wrote: 26 Jan 2019, 05:37 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...
Hi Feld,

The Sachs quick strut 033078 for 2004 V70 seems decent with good reviews on FCP website.
However, it is white label and it is made in Turkey (not that it matters).
But I wonder what your experience with White label Sachs Strut?

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... 78#fitment

I was looking at these as well. My strut mounts are shot and it seemed like a good deal

tardcart · Post by **tardcart** » 20 May 2019, 18:27

[quote=oragex post_id=432189 time=1488033196 user_id=54954]
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.

very informative, do you have any comparison to the Volvo struts you can buy now and the ones that came on the car 20 years ago? Ie. do you think the volvo ones are less well made now? same a sachs? Also what would you try next? I assumed Koni yellow would be too harsh on the heavy front of my p80.

Post by **oragex** » 11 Sep 2019, 05:13

Would like to update this topic. This is going to concern the P2 cars, not sure if it's the same for P1 cars - but in theory it should be the same thing

I recently installed Genuine Volvo struts. These are still made by Sachs, only now they are made in Turkey (the original struts when the car was new were made in Germany). For comparison, I also had an original Volvo strut still in good condition, and also had a few other struts, like the Sachs blue sticker (Super Touring), the Monroe cheaper ones and also the Monroe OE Spectrum (more expensive)

Here's my quick feedback on all these options

The new Genuine struts sold now by Volvo are made in Turkey (see picture). I'll call these the 'Turkey' struts to differentiate them from the original ones which were made in Germany (when the car was new). The Turkey struts are of much lower quality than the German ones. I'm sure many will be surprised by this, but the explanation is actually simple: Volvo has cut costs in parts manufacturing during the later years. We can simply remember the changes in the cars from 2004 on, when the quality glass headlights were replaced with cheap plastic headlights. There were other cost cuts Volvo did. Same happened with the genuine replacement struts, which are now made in Turkey. These struts are very harsh over road imperfections - bumps, cracks, etc. You can feel every bump harshly. The only moment when these struts are fine is on smooth pavement. Even then, they ride without any 'feeling'. Good stability at speed.

In comparison, I had Monroe OE Spectrum ones - these are the more expensive Monroe. The OE Spectrum ride well over road bumps, not harsh at all. They don't feel sporty or luxurious, but comfortable enough. There is also another Monroe, less expensive, which are harsh and of low quality.

I also had the Sachs Super Touring and those were giving a rather subpar driving, not stable and not dumping bumps properly. These also wear out very quickly on poor roads.

Of all these, for a better ride quality with a smoother feeling but slightly less stable, the Monroe OE Spectrum would be my first choice. If the roads in your area are all smooth, the genuine Turkey replacement would be the first choice.

Off all these struts, none felt as good as the original suspension. Don't expect the car to ride close to a 'luxury' sedan with any of these. I think the original ride quality of the car cannot be brought back.

Finally, all these struts lifted the front of my car by about 1 inch. The stability and handling are inferior compared to the original suspension. I only replaced the struts, and kept my original coil springs, and the car was always lifted with all these replacement struts.
.

Post by **mt98t5** » 11 Sep 2019, 10:59

I have new Sachs struts on my 98 R. I hate them with a passion. I live in Wisconsin and our roads suck, hard. You feel every bump and not in a good way. And yeah, I replaced all of the suspension components including the sub-frame bushings. I had the blue label Sachs touring struts in my T5 and they were perfect. Not jarring but not mushy either.