Shock absorbers Bilstein or OEM Toyota

Bilstein B8 Sport is a great strut/shock. I'm using the MKV version on my 2006 GTI paired with H&R Sport and the ride is great.

Used B6s front and rear along with GTI springs, resulted in nearly as smooth and predictable ride and vastly better handling.

B4 are like oem with better control and rebound damping. B6 and B8 are the same except for length. B8 is for lowered suspension. Basically, if you going with R springs, do R B6 shocks and either shim the rear or get R variant rear springs from Europe.

B6s are probably too firm for stock springs but certainly usable if in spec for the spring length. I'd go B4 and they will be much better than stock due to better rebound damping which is the real problem with the stock ones, especially if I was keeping the stock springs.

Here’s what I’m doing about it; Spec 30 setup. H&R sport springs and Bilstein struts/shocks.

From what Ive read bilstein 51xx series are the best all arounders and cheaper than OME, but ome does slightly better in ride quality- at double or triple the price.

I put bilsteins on my 2000 Tahoe and was very impressed with the improvements.

I've got the Bilstein B8's (South Africa, from Mikem in Johannesburg) which I believe the exact same as the 4600's in the picture. I've installed them together with uprated coils in the front and progressive coils in the back: 2" lift all around. Am very very happy with them: the ride is a bit stiffer and she likes a bit more weight in the back now, but damn the ride is so much better, responsive and dynamic. Also on corrugations it gives much more control: would recommend them to anyone.

Since the original Sachs were not available where I live, I went ahead with Bilstein stock replacements. One problem that i am facing is that no matter what I do, I am not able to get the front camber to factory spec.

Lets face it my MK4 was a wallowing garbage scowl, before I went to Bilsteins, VR6 springs and welded in my own sway bar.