I posted a month ago with a question on some noise when I made a slight left hand turn at moderate speed - I have a 2004 C70 ~ 94K miles - with a manual transmission. Ultimately that ended up being a wheel bearing/hub issue my Volvo shop was able to pin down and fix. $340 later no more problems there.

However, they are now indicating to me that my right front strut is leaking and will need to be replaced. They've priced either Sachs for both sides at ~$600 or Bilsteins at $900.

I'd like to ultimately improve the handling characteristics of the car overall. I had been envisioning replacing the struts, getting the IPD sway bars & front end links along with putting the OEM brace across the top of the struts. Since the struts now apparently need replacement I'll do those first, perhaps with the OEM brace.

Here are my questions - are the Bilsteins worth it vs. just putting on the Sachs struts...also within the Bilsteins there seem to be both a touring and a heavy duty version - is the touring version fine? Also, would it be smart, if I am planning to buy the OEM brace - to put that on when I am having this strut work done? Final question - a shop closer to me has priced the work at $600 plus alignment cost if necessary to put the Bilstein touring parts on - that seems a lot more reasonable. This shop is more of a generalist whereas my other shop is a Volvo/VW specialist. Is this job relatively straightforward such that it would not be something they could mess up?

thanks, in advance, if you have a chance to comment on any of this.

 

It would depend on if both are replacing mounts, seats, etc.
Check out FCP complete kits.

 

From doing struts by the 100s in the shop stick with the Boge and always do the upper mounts
8646713 with the boge and very rare to need the bearing plates the Bilsteins are too stiff and
most people dont like the ride just go with the Boge
good luck