Review on Bilstein 19 029450 Replacement Shock Absorber by Jonah Riggle

Put them on our 1999 Volvo V70 station wagon. While they say these Touring Class units are "replacement-replacement" shocks, the problem is that Sachs/Boge (the original equipment manufacturer that uses ALL "replacement-replacement" shocks as the basis Only one part number is sold which fits Volvo 850 and all 70 series models including sport models and turbo engines. As a result, we found them too stiff for our base station wagon. And everyone else, including Bilstein, does the same, since they use Sachs/Boge valves as the base and therefore only offer one damper for all these models. However, while Bilstein says it's approx. 10% stiffer than the original, our family's experience has seen the Bilsteins ride slightly better than the "OE" Sachs/Boge, which I'd say is tolerable, except when fully loaded in the rear are where they are very good. One can only guess how they would drive a different vehicle, but I suspect it depends on which "original" fitting Bilstein bases his own fitting on. Handling is excellent, but it would be excellent if these dampers were about 20% softer. with shock absorption.