Rear shocks - Bilstein vs Sachs?
 

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!

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?

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?

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.

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.

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….

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.