Time to replace the front struts and ect. Just wondering if I should stay with stock or go with Bilstein touring, Heavy Duty, or Koni (or something else). I don't like a harsh ride and have seen people sell the Heavy Duty's on Ebay after having them put on because they claim they are too harsh. I don't mind stock, but wondering if anyone is happier with something else.

Thanks.

I would go with OEM struts. I have yet to see people not have problems when using aftermarket parts, such as Bilstein.

Check out www.shox.com
I bought the Bilstein Touring (TC's) which are cheaper than the Boge stocks and much softer. Trouble is they actually increase your ride hieght by about an inch. If you don't mind this, they are truly smooth and give you a much more comfortable ride. When you change out the struts or shocks make sure to change out the shock mounts and strut spring seats too...these are often worn out, especially if you have high miles on your car.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic (125K), 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red (45K), Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon (Sold at 140K and miss her). My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.

One question MIJ,

How the Bilstein Touring can increase the ride height by about an inch? I'm not sure if I've understood well because nothing have not changed in the suspension to increase the height besides the new struts or shock, it's the same coil springs that have been reinstalled, right?

Thanks
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Norm

I know what you're saying...I don't know how this happened but it did on my front end...not really in the back. Others have reported the same thing from the TC's on their cars.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic (125K), 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red (45K), Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon (Sold at 140K and miss her). My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.

springs determine the ride height of the car, not struts. Struts only impact the dampening of bumps/turning. That is why you can compress the struts by hand, but the springs needs spring compressors.

Thanks for the input all.

I don't want the ride height increased at all, so I think I'll go with the Sachs this time around. These are the twin tubes on the turbos. I had a loaner from the dealer and I liked the way the car went down the road.

Got new everything as far as mounts ready to go.

Really? I thought i had read from many posts that the bilsteins were a much harsher ride than boge? Maybe it was the heavy duties? I would be very interested in them if they were softer than boge stock struts.

I always recommend the stock shocks in my shop but have installed a few sets of the Bilsteins on customer requests. The Bilsteins have always been stiffer and the KYBs are know as "Kill Your Backs"

Mark

Regular Bilst's are stiffer and rougher...their newer TC's (out a couple of years only) are softer...maybe softest out there.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic (125K), 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red (45K), Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon (Sold at 140K and miss her). My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.