Hi Phil,
Your experience with the Gas-A-Just and Overload springs is helpful! Granted the 245 Is a somewhat lighter car with a different suspension design, but the end result should be similar. I feel much better about KYB G-A-J.

I want to like KYB, as they are clear about their product lines, and their stuff is marked as it is. I've seen Sachs automatic and Advantage marked with the blue label, even though the Advantage should be red. Their own site is very confusing, and doesn't list the differences between the two lines of rear shock. As far as KYB and the two lines, my understanding is that they position Excel-G as OEM level, and Gas-A-Just as a HD / upgraded level unit.

As for my car coming with the wrong springs, it has crossed my mind that the supposedly stiffer wagon springs seem a bit inadequate for a mid-sized wagon. I chalked that up to possible age. I could always measure the wire diameter, I suppose.

Of course, nothing is simple for me. I manage to complicate everything. Just as I was leaning heavily towards the KYBs, I noticed something that throws a wrench into the works, which I'll address in a separate post in this thread.

-Wilson