IPD is having their big garage sale right now and I'm trying to decide between the Bilstein or the Boge Turbo Gas shocks. There is about a $200 difference in the Bilstein price ... but from what I hear it's well worth it. I'm not going to be doing any rally racing or anything. I'll just be cruising around town and occasionaly giving it hell on winding roads. Any advice? I'm definitely getting the anti-sway bars.

Regards,
--
Bill Crump ('91 245SE & looking)

I just recently replaced my shocks/struts (Turbo Gas) with Sachs (Germ-Boge) on my 1993 Volvo 240 S/W, IPD sways, 205/70 14 Mich., overload springs-IPD. (By the way, I had the original front struts, and KYB GAS on the back.) I thought they were weak, the car seem to float, my mech. said it was in my mind due to the recent purchase of my 1995 850 Turbo. Went with my gut feeling, I replaced the above shocks/struts.

It was like night and day, it gave the car a solid and stable feel, like when I replaced the sway bars, I would recommend the above setup without hesitation.

For 240 owners who just don't know, go with the Turbo Gas and you will not regret it.

Good Luck,

Steve


PS I paid $174.00 for a set of four from FCP Groton, would do it in a heartbeat again. Now I trying to find a set of Sachs Turbo Gas for my 1995 850 turbo, and suggestions, please advise.

You've helped ease my mind as well. I was up all night wondering if I should cancel my order for the Boge "turbo gas" and go with the Bilsteins. Many people were saying that they could just not put into words how the Billies feel ... and that made me even more curious. But, I feel better now with my decision to stick with the Boge. I want something middle of the ground (performance and driveability). I'll use the $200 I saved and upgrade the stock radio.

Thanks,
--
Bill Crump ('91 245SE & looking)

Steve,

Thanks for a very helpful post. I am needing to replace my shocks/struts on my '86 240 and '93 240 and have been trying to make sense of what's out there. I've been leaning toward the Boge Turbo Gas, and your post has helped me to decide. With the roads in MA I didn't want something that would jar me around yet I wanted something more solid than what I have.

While the Bilstein advocates are many, I certainly didn't want to pay an excessive premium to feel every crack and crevice of the fine examples of highways here!!

Thanks again,

TomD

I've got Bilstein HDs on my '90 245, and helped Roger install them on his '91 245 (see his message). I like the Bilsteins, and my wife also likes them. We prefer handling and control over a cushy ride. Must be a family trait.

Compare IPD's sale price to FCP Groton and shox.com. IPD tends to have very high prices, and the sale may not make up the difference.

I would describe the Bilsteins as very firm, but smooth and well damped. You can feel the paint stripes (literally), but potholes and speed bumps do not feel much different. You know you've hit them, but the ride is not harsh. Control of the car is superb. It's hard to describe in words.

In contrast, the KYBs in my '89 244 are harsh. They are firm, but not smooth. You can not feel the paint stripes, but potholes will rattle your teeth. Control is good, but not as good as the Bilsteins. The KYBs are cheap, which is why I got them (I was unemployed at the time).

I have some new boge turbo gassers under our '91 245 and I think they are the right mixture between ride quality and performance. They are a lot stiffer than whatever the stock struts and shocks were, and I don't feel every bump like a dam go cart either. I believe the quote some brickboarder said was that, "Bilsteins are as stiff as a lost climber on Mt. Everest," for what it's worth. I also heard someone on this board state that the biggest handling improvement you can make is the IPD front sway bar which should be somewhere at that garage sale too (minimizes the roll).

I have just faced the same dilemma. The question you have to ask yourself is:
How long am I going to keep this car? If you plan on having it for 5 more years, then go ahead and get the Billies. I just installed a set on my '91 245SE and they are incredible. (Thank you, brother Ron for the install!!)
I commute a 100-mile round trip in the NYC area and the new shocks are an absolute joy. Depending on where you live, you may come out ahead by ordering from FCP Groton.
Rgr
'91 245SE

I also have a '91 245SE and love it. These however are going on a '93 244. I do plan on having the car a long time but I only drive 11 miles 'round trip to work ... pretty sweet huh? I checked the archives on the subject and alot of people say the Bilstein's are too stiff. But that was on the 700 series cars. Right now a set of (4) Bilstein are $363.11 and the Boge Turbo gas are $164 a set. That's why I'm kind of leaning toward the Boge, plus I hear they are less stiff.
--
Bill Crump ('91 245SE & looking)

Keep in mind that the 'steins have a lifetime warranty... actually you can
even get em revalved for cheap too.

But if you're for sure going to get them from IPD, go for the Boge. IPD
is way overpriced on the 'steins. You can get em from Shox.com, FCP
Groton, or any other number of places for much less.

- alex

'85 244 Turbo

hey why is your 91 an 245SE? I thought only 740 wagons came in SE.

Boge is OEM. I think Bilistien performance orientated.

In '91 they came out with an SE version. It has black body molding, black grille, black roof rack. It also had factory leather and the cool alloys. Mine is red w/black leather ... you can see it in the gallery under "Crimson Tide". The Boge OEM shock is called the "Boge Automatic" the next upgrade is the "Turbo Gas" and then the "Pro Gas" which are really stiff.
--
Bill Crump ('91 245SE & looking)

I have Bilstein HDs on my 244. While giving a superb feel of the road, they actually are probably firmer riding than most people would tolerate. Especially when traversing sharp bumps on the road. They don't cushion passengers all that well actually. My wife complains about it every time she rides with me. To placate her, I'll probably be taking them off and replacing them with Sachs Advantage units from FCP Groton (Nick Bauer claims they are the exact same unit as Boge Turbo gas, made in same factory). If you decide on Bilsteins after all, contact me for a good deal on a set of them (4 months old).

Hello Daryl, I might be interested in your Bilsteins. My e-mail is emmanuelleh@sympatico.ca. Thank you!

Pierre