Shock absorbers Sachs or GABRIEL

Back in May I replaced my rear shock absorbers with Sachs ones from a Mk7 Golf, as others on this forum had suggested. This actually made the rear suspension a little firmer but made a night and day difference to the ride quality at any speed. It made the car a bit more composed and settled at speed as well. Overall it's so much better.

Shocks provide a firm, stable ride

Easy to install and adapt to vehicle

Significantly improves ride quality

If you decide to go this route, Gabriel Ultra shocks and struts from Rockauto.com are good. Avoid Monroe and the cheaper brands. KYB are OEM, but the aftermarket ones are stiffer than the OEM, but are excellent quality.

I used a set of Gabriel Shocks for the front and back of my 98 LX, they are spring assisted load shocks. Super cheap, but it's been 5 years and they are still going strong.

I put some Gabriels on my beater 2004 and really like them. Got 30k on them and still ride nice.

VW/Audi uses Sachs on some of the base models of their cars and SUVs. Those will be closer to original specifications, with longer service life and better performance than the KYBs.

I used Gabriel's on front and KYB in the back. I also replaced the sway bar links. They were busted and rusted out/seized to strut.

I recently replaced them with the Sachs oe equivalent to save money. They’re a softer ride than the B4 and in hindsight, while not a bad purchase, I would have preferred the B4.

Gabriel and Monroe shocks are super trash. You’ll be lucky if they last two years typically.

Depends on your priorities. I go KYB for a good mix. Monroe if I’m broke. Gabriel if I’m a masochist.