I am having some trouble making up my mind what to buy for the 4.4i.

Monroes for 157 ea.?
Bilstein HDs for 280ea (Loved them on my M-Class)
OE for 380 ea?

I sprung for OE on the rear to match the air suspension but now I am wondering if the Monroes are noticably different from the OEs for the front. Are all Bilsteins as bad as some here claim? Or is it a mismatch between HD dampers and non-sport springs?

Any insights appreciated.

Lost of threads with comments shocks but rarely is there enough detail about which engine and whether sport package or not and so searching did not solve this for me.

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2003 4.4i black ext./black int./black headliner (kid's runabout)
2014 535d X-drive, M package, silver/black interior

Sold but not forgotten:
2009 E70 35d, black ext./black int./black headliner (sold 2021)
2006 4.8iS Le Mans blue/cream int./black headliner, SOLD in 2012 sadly...

Other hardware:
2015 Cayenne S (wife's new DD and definitely wroooommmmm)
2016 Tundra 1794 edition crew cab, luxo hauler
2005 Tundra crew cab, weekend hauler. Sold after 150k very happy miles.