I just put the Bilstein Touring struts on the T5R and what a difference they make. All the clunking is gone and it does not feel like I hit some huge pot hole every time I hit seam in the road. (bit of exageration there) But it definitely rides better and I do not feel the small bumps that I used to feel.

Pretty easy job too. I was able to complete the installation in about six hours and this is the first time I ever did it. Needed very little help to line up the instalation of the new struts on the top. Other than that did it all myself.

I posted the following link which has great pictures and a guide to doing in in the helpful hints thread posted at the top of this forum.

http://members.shaw.ca/heeeeee/strut/

Have the shocks coming in this week and will do them after I get it back from being painted.

 

Glad it is smoother.
I have a set if used Bilsteins in the Garage for my car once I finish painting them.
But it took me 2 hours to align the front end of me car last time I messed with anything so I am not going to install them right away. I also had to use camber bolts last time to get it all aligned.

 

Jim great timing! I need to replace mine as well I think. I hear squeaking at the top in the engine compartment where they connect to the frame. My car has 148k on it and as far as I know has original shocks and struts. I assume I will probably need to replace both, not just the struts?

What shock/strut combo provides the nicest ride? I have a N/A so taking corners isn't my main concern. I would like a nice soft ride. Or is that like asking what oil is the best? It opens up a can of worms??

 

The Sachs/Boge combo is likely the smoothest riding but they don't handle as well as the Bilstein TCs. I've heard great things about the Koni yellows but they cost more than I paid for the cars. The Bilstein HDs will kill your spine and knock the fillings out of your teeth.

...Lee

 

I really like the ride with the Bilstein Touring and they cost about the same price as the Sachs at fcpgroton. Most people do not like the ride with the Bilstein HD's.

 

Control vs. comfort? My '93 850 rides firmly, sort of like a go-cart. I actually kind of like that, but wonder if it's slowly knocking everything loose in the car which now is still quite tight. It does handle well. With a hundred pounds in the trunk at 50 mph, I had to stab the brakes and jerk the wheel to the right to avoid a demolition derby fool. The car stayed square and went exactly where I aimed it with no rolling, etc. So would I have to give that up to get a softer ride?