When my 2013 GTI hit about 90,000 miles I had the shocks/struts changed out to Bilstein B6, great ride quality and I had no intention of ever lowering the car as I commute to a city with terrible roads.
My Truck feels almost as cushy as my dad's 22 TRD Pro. I can hit speed bumps at easily 10mph faster without discomfort, it rides great on forest service roads and has less body roll than stock.
This may not be super helpful, as Idk if there is a significant difference in how these shocks play due to the V8 suspension geometry and weight, but b8's on intrax springs on my m5 are just about perfect for a daily driver in my experience. My understanding is that the b6 is valved exactly the same as the b8 but has a different shaft length meant for use with standard/non-lowering springs.
Don’t get the cheapest- Brands like KYB and Monroe are ones to consider. Bilstein if you’re feeling fancy and want to spend the extra.
Do not go OEM. At a minimum, put on Bilstein 5100 shocks at stock height and improve ride and lessen nose dive on braking. I got a set of 4 last year for my son's 1999 3rd gen and paid $300 for install $400 for parts. We used the stock 99 tall springs. I put 5100 shocks on my 2011 and lifted the front 2" and put trd springs on the back to level. Way better off road and firmer on road.
5100s all 4 corners, top lift setting in front with 1" taller rear block on my 2008. No, not jarring. Firm in the sense that the weight of the truck is well controlled, but still comfortable. In no way is it harsh.
I just pulled my stock ranchos from my 15 all terrain. They had some life left , surprisingly after 169k miles. I put the 5100’s on, and it’s a world of difference. Ride is way smoother, less bounce.
I put 4600 on mine to replace the shot OEM ones and I love them.
I used to have a factory set of optional Bilstein TRD Greys in my JZZ30 Toyota Soarer, they were on the firm side of things - could probably have benefited from a different spring rate.
Took a Limited double cab for a test drive yesterday (just a base Limited—no TRD). I’m glad I did because after that drive it eliminated any thought of getting one so that’s another off the list. I couldn’t get back to the dealership fast enough—it was so severely under-shocked that I was almost puking by the time I got it back. I can’t believe they would ever let a truck go for sale with that kind of rebounding, and I’m talking normal city streets—you’d be off the road in five minutes on a washboard gravel road. Maybe the off-road would be better with the Bilstein shocks, but holy cow this was bad. Interior was cheap plastic everywhere, hated the big drive-in theatre screen. The only thing I liked was the seat adjustment. Popped the hood—what a joke the hood latch is...who the hell designed this stuff? I could have folded that long tin lever with my pinky! Engine performance was OK, laggy and the transmission programming needs work. Anyway...if you’re considering one definitely wait a year until they get things sorted but wow...I was shocked...literally...
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