Rear shocks - Bilstein vs Sachs?

[svvg]

Getting my moneys worth from the forum this week.

I have a 4.8, with dual axle self levelling air suspension, with 122,000 miles. I’ve rebuilt my air compressor- so a new piston ring, new head, and importantly washed through the felt filters around the dryer/desiccant which I think had become blocked. That all works fine.

The front two airstruts then popped at the same time…. (They’d perished and cracked, and when I was raising the car (messing about with buttons on the driveway….) it exposed the torn cracked sections and air started gushing out of the splits - so I replaced with Arnott front shocks.

My rear air bags are fine - but the car is a bit bouncy - the arnotts definitely feel a bit bouncier than my original worn bmw versions - but they were half the price(…..). The back end of the car now kicks out at the rear when hitting bumps, so I think it’s time for new shocks (I will drop them out over the weekend to double check how knackered they are - but it’s a 2004 car and has 122,000 miles - so I’d imagine they’re tired at the very least).

So…. Does anyone have any experience of Bilstein B4 vs Sachs rear shocks on this set-up? Or even Arnott shocks?

Grateful for any experiences/recommendations!

[Homerlovesbeer]

Why wouldn't you stick with airbags at the rear when you have kept the front bags?

Unless the brands you refer to also make airbag suspension?

[svvg]

The rear suspension set-up comprises separate air bags and separate shock absorbers on the dual axle self levelling cars. I’m keeping the airbags, and am not considering swapping to springs - as the bags are fine - but I think the shocks have had it - so need to change them.

Anyone able to provide some advice on whether there’s any difference between Bilstein B4 and sachs?

[Effduration]

I would go with Sachs vs. the B4 or a driver..There have been some quality control issues with Bilstein obver the last several years.

[Dking078]

I went with Arnott bags years ago, zero issues / complaints. Gotta get the -comfort- ones though for the 4.8. Key thing there.

I recently did replace the rear shocks with Billy B4's. Again 0 complaints and rides like stock... And I know dam well since my OEM with 146k shocks were in impressively good condition still.
It was more of a "While I'm here" as I was doing the rear trailing arm bushings.

Alternatively I drove a friends rebuild 4.6 (single axle air) with Bilstein B6's. And GOD was it stiff. But I think that plays more to Non-Dual Axle air X5's from my past expirence.

[svvg]

Thanks all. Reviews of the Bilstein b6 on the x5 aren’t good. Far too stiff from all accounts. I can get sachs for about £160 for the pair, pretty much next day delivery. The bilstein b4s are trickier to get - and are closer to £260. Price is not really an issue - more the case that the sachs are quicker to obtain…

And complete tangent. And perhaps it’s been dealt with on the site before - but I’ve just been channel hoping on tv as I type this - and the end of the A team film is on - and three e53 X5s get used as cup and ball game distraction by the container ship at the end, before being crashed….

[X5only]

My 4.4 sport (with rear air springs) has Bilstein Touring front (BIL-22119278, BIL-22119261), and Bilstein Touring (BIL-24026529) in the back. My X5 is lowered with the H&R HRS-293781 lowering kit. The ride is firm but not harsh - a little bit firmer than OEM that they replaced. The ride is excellent. I got them from FCP EURO.