Anyone have any experience using Sachs shock absorbers on their van? I know its a good company and they make a good product, but I'd like to hear how your van rides opposed to the Bilstein (which is a very good product as well).

I can get the Sachs through RockAuto for about $160 cheaper than the Bilsteins. I want the Bilsteins, but at that price difference I can pretty much pay for the rest of the maintenace with the savings.

 

I have no experience with Sachs as a shock brand, have used Bilstein for the past 8 years on three different E250's all post-'97 models.

The positive aspects of Blistein causes me to not look elsewhere even though its often said there are "cheaper, almost as good............" alternatives available. Lifetime warranty, better design allowing easier installation and removal when/if necessary and what I feel is improved load control they're worth the cost. My source for them has been eShocks.com---buy all 4 at one time and shipping is free.

"Ride" is such a subjective quality so its tough for me to compare before and after Bilstein. My DD work/cargo van weighs 7,600# so ride and comfort don't really figure into my criteria for choice. I want minimum body roll during turns or evasive maneuvers but shocks alone won't give me that---it requires other suspension upgrades or modifications.

Blistein shocks at the icing on the cake and perhaps the "cheaper, almost as good........." brands might work as well that's not something I want to experiement with---too costly IMHO.

 

I know the bilsteins would be good, I'd like to have them and even at about $340 shipped for a set its not a bad deal for the best.

I know Sachs as a company makes a good product. I'd probably be happy with them. Might have to try them out and let everyone know my opinion (take it for what it is lol) on the ride quality.

Junk monroe's would probably be a step up over what I have at the moment, but I know better than that lol

 

I put a set of junk Monroes on my E150 at 90 or 100k miles, I forget. I forget if they're Reflex or Sensa Track. Sears had a free installation deal on them so that was the arm twist I needed.

I have had Bilsteins on Euro cars, have had really good luck with KYB Gas-A-Just (LOTS of tight control on my old 1980 Toyota FJ40 Land Crusher), put some Gabriel Red Ryders on my '86 GMC van many years ago and those were too tight for a good ride, but that was a great handling van (255/70 hotrod tires on aluminum rims). I have had OEM Bilsteins on my old SAAB 900 and those were really hard riding even at 70k miles when I sold the car.

My 1991 BMW 318is was the 4 cyl factory hotrod and it has the factory shocks on it (same front end suspension as the E30 M3), which happen to be Sachs. I've thought about replacing the original shocks (garage queen car with only 122k miles on it) but they have never leaked and this has been the most magical riding/handling compromise car I've owned in my life. (And I've had Corvettes, drag race cars, 2-seat English roadsters, etc.)

So I don't have experience with Sachs shocks on vans, and frankly different applications within different brands are going to have valving choices that may differ from new OEM and other aftermarket shocks by a LOT.

See if you can find KYB Gas-A-Just shocks for your application if you would; if they are cheap I really liked those (a poor man's Bilstein by reputation with maybe even a better rep in the truck world than the car world).

Otherwise, the Sachs shocks I've got on my bimmer have been serving me well for 20 years now, the longest I've ever kept a car. I might put Bilsteins on that car because they have the shorter length performance package shocks specific to my car. And because I trust Bilstein.

I would have gotten better shocks for my van, but I am not in it for the real long term because my wife can't deal with traveling in the passenger seat (left knee problems) and frankly I hate the passenger seat as well...my left knee has a brace on it right now, not related to the van. My wife just retired, and I'm thinking we may want to move to a minivan for traveling (looking at the new Transit Connects) because it would serve our needs really well.

So I've had Bilsteins, KYB's, Sachs, Gabriel, and various OEM shocks. In the 80's, Ford OEM struts would last only 30k miles and all this new stuff is way better.

Good luck, lemme know if you find KYB's I think the Gas-A-Just is the monotube similar to Bilstein, but they make other lines, maybe better or worse. I know Rock Auto carries them.

George

 

Building on YoGeorge's observation about mono-tube shocks---that's just about the ONLY way to go IMHO.

Typically the mono-tube's come with a boot or some description covering the piston rod which is more than adequate protection against the elements. An added benefit is they're much easier to remove when/if that becomes necessary.

Anyone who's ever fought with the typical OEM shocks with the outer metal shell will love the ease of R&I mono-tubes afford.

 

I forgot to mention this, but KYB is a Japanese brand that makes OEM shocks for Honda/Toyota/Lexus etc. (and those OEM shocks last a LONG time). They've got their cheaper lines as well (which might be just fine) but the Gas-A-Just are their premium line, kind of a poor man's monotube Bilstein.

George