John,
Yes, that kind of blew my mind when I saw the Monroe label hanging underneath a Volvo fender! I have no doubt that Monroe has the ability to make a good strut and if they are making them to factory Volvo specs then I am doubly assured that they are ok. However, being a product of the dealership circuit until I see a reason to deviate from the factory parts I am going to go with original equipment. How long do boge shocks last? I can't tell you how many 200 series cars are out there that probably went to their grave with the originals in them. I have been known to change mine out because I felt bad. I mean good god at 200K they have to be bad right, even though they handle fine and the tires are wearing fine and they still soak up a rough road like they used to. That being said I know that Boges are some fine stuff and if they cost a little bit more then I feel that they are worth it.

Not that there is not a case for aftermarket parts on Volvos. Lord knows I install enough urethane bushings and Nissen metal radiators in earlier red engine cars. But if it works, like Bosch injection/ignition parts and Boge struts and shocks, then why change it?

Regards,
Mark