The most noticeable upgrade I did on mine was a better set of shocks and struts. You don\u2019t have to do a leveling kit, just something higher quality like a set Bilstein 4600s.
BMW S1000RR has generally had fantastic brakes, and the gen3 initially had Hayes made brakes which were superb (but they did have a recall due to leaks), and now BMW uses Nissin made calipers on the S1000RR. I haven't ridden the gen3, but I hear the brakes are superb. Honda CBR1000RR-R also use high spec Nissin brakes. I've owned a Daytona 675 with Nissin brakes and KYB suspension and they're 90% as good as Brembo M50 and OEM Ohlins. The rear KYB shock absorber unit even had high speed and low speed compression damping adjustment, the Ohlins on the Daytona 675R didn't have this separate speed-based damping adjustment.
KYB Gas A Just front and rear on mine. They’re great.
Running bilsteins in the rear and KYB gas-a-just in the front. Compared to the stock shocks in my 06 ranger 3.0L, feels so much better (also replaced front end).
Hey I have a 4th gen 4Runner and I put Bilstien 5100s on it and it rides like a gem, don't feel bumps or pot holes at all!
If it was mine and I was willing to put some money in it, I'd replace the shocks if they haven't been done in a while (front and rear), they could be a big help in ride quality as long as you get quality parts (KYB, Bilstein, etc). KYB is factory provider for GX460 shocks, Bilstein are a gold standard as well. Monroe/Gabriel are meh OEM equivalents. Ranchos are overrated.
Bilstein 6112/5100 leveled at 2” (I was so excited about the leveling, and was stunned at how much better the overall ride is. This is incredible.)
Had the same experience installing KYBs on a 2005 Honda Accord V6. They sat high and never \"settled down\", even years later. But the KYB shocks were good quality and made in Japan.
I got a set of Bilstein 5100's with OME 886 coils after reading numerous posts on tacomaworld forums saying that set up produced a 2.5" lift for 3rd gens, and the other OME coils all sagged too much. I just picked it up after getting that installed and I'm pretty sure I got 4" of lift.
Got Bilstein coilovers Summer 2024, new socks mounts, the whole 9 yards...the other day I heard reaaly bad clanking thought maybe it was a bad sway bar end link...NOPE. Completely obliterated shock absorbers. They were brand new too.
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If choosing shock absorbers across many manufacturers, check the part ranking. If your choice is down to two brands, the PartReview part comparisons help.
We compare shock absorbers across these categories:
In March 2026 on PartReview, shock absorbers Bilstein were overall better than KYB.
In March 2026 on PartReview, shock absorbers Bilstein were overall more popular than KYB.
By vote balance, shock absorbers Bilstein surpassed KYB:
By number of reviews, shock absorbers Bilstein surpassed KYB:
In March 2026, according to PartReview, shock absorbers Bilstein led more car-specific ratings than KYB:
Bilstein are chosen by owners of cars such as: Chevrolet Silverado, Ford Ranger, Lexus GX, Toyota 4runner, Audi TT, Chevrolet Corvette, Jeep Cherokee, Volkswagen Caddy, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Jetta, and others.
KYB are chosen by owners of cars such as: Jeep Wrangler, Ford Crown Victoria, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Prius, Volkswagen Beetle, and others.
If this comparison didn’t fully answer your question, there are many others on PartReview.
For example, comparisons of shock absorbers Bilstein with: KONI, Monroe, Sachs, Rancho, Dobinsons, FOX, GABRIEL, OEM Toyota, OEM Volkswagen, OLD MAN EMU.
Also available: comparisons of shock absorbers KYB with: KONI, Monroe, Sachs, Rancho, Dobinsons, FOX, GABRIEL, OEM Toyota, OEM Volkswagen, OLD MAN EMU.
You can also see who is better among other shock absorbers manufacturers: Bilstein or KONI, Bilstein or Monroe, Bilstein or Sachs, Bilstein or Rancho, Bilstein or Dobinsons.
