I know this isn't a very popular option, BUT...

I've been looking at new shocks for my car (a '96 9000 Aero) lately myself. Money's a bit tight for projects such as these plus I'm beginning to question myself putting a $500-600 set of shocks on a car worth maybe $3500, so Bilstein's looked unattainable/unrealistic.

Did some research, poked around, etc. I've decided to try Monroe Sensa-Tracs for my car. Here's the rationale:

1) Their line of shocks and struts for European cars like the 9000 are actually gas-charged monotube design, like the Bilstein HDs.

2) They're made in Belgium.

3) They have a lifetime warranty.

4) They're very inexpensive (OK, cheap!).

The front struts are roughly $75, and recently, I acquired the rears at Amazon of all places for $15 apiece (now they're $38 and change). RockAuto has the next best prices. Monroe was running a promo recently for "buy four get one of them free" which in this case only got me $15 back, but I've got a set of ALL FOUR monotube gas shocks/struts for $165 shipped (I have Amazon Prime). That's roughly how much a single Bilstein HD strut costs.

I'll report back on how they work out - it'll be a while before I get them installed however.

Whew, now I can take this flame suit off, it's kinda hot/heavy. :)

-John
'96 9000 Aero
Indianapolis

• Need input on front struts Bilstein vs Sachs, etc, jeff, Mon, 1 Nov 2010 17:00:05
  • Anybody tried Bilstein Twin Tube Touring vs Sachs,etc, Jeff, Thu, 4 Nov 2010 13:37:29
    • Bilstein Touring - about perfect in my opinion, 97AeroMN, Fri, 5 Nov 2010 19:44:43
      • Are the Bilstein Tourings in an Aero or CSE?, Jeff, Sun, 7 Nov 2010 07:08:26
  • How much softer is a non-Aero ride?, rob 94 aero, Wed, 3 Nov 2010 07:39:37
    • A bit gentler, 5-10% I'd say., Noel, Wed, 3 Nov 2010 11:23:52
    • a bit softer, derf, Wed, 3 Nov 2010 10:17:06
  • Bilstein not Sachs, Diamond Dave, Tue, 2 Nov 2010 14:36:10
    • Sachs wear out in 20K miles?, Noel, Wed, 3 Nov 2010 06:14:48
      • I had replaced some original Sachs from dealer, ColinE, Wed, 3 Nov 2010 19:54:31
  • Has anybody tried the Bilstein Dual Tube Touring ?, Jeff, Tue, 2 Nov 2010 10:44:13
  • Re: getting the rear shock bolts out....prob tough, DanaH, Tue, 2 Nov 2010 09:08:45
    • Getting the rear shock bolts out is not fun, Noel, Tue, 2 Nov 2010 10:45:34
  • Bilstein vs Monroes, derf, Tue, 2 Nov 2010 08:56:55
    • Were the springs stiffer, too?, Noel, Tue, 2 Nov 2010 10:38:01
      • yes.. they were Bilstein .., derf, Wed, 3 Nov 2010 10:03:46
      • Noel where did you get that kit? Thanks, jeff, Tue, 2 Nov 2010 10:41:31
        • Re: Noel where did you get that kit? Thanks, PT, Wed, 3 Nov 2010 09:56:19
          • Hey John. Jeff got to me via email, Noel, Wed, 3 Nov 2010 11:29:12
  • (flame suit on)... I'm actually going to try Monroe, hanesj75, Tue, 2 Nov 2010 06:33:43 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Talked with Monroe The Strut is Twin Tube, Shock Mono, Jeff, Tue, 2 Nov 2010 14:34:57
    • Suspension is the last place you cut corners..., Diamond Dave, Tue, 2 Nov 2010 14:32:02
      • Also depends on what you're trying to do..., Noel, Wed, 3 Nov 2010 06:19:17
      • Re: Suspension is the last place you cut corners..., hanesj75, Tue, 2 Nov 2010 14:38:58
        • Does that go for the Twin Tubes not the HDs?, jeff, Tue, 2 Nov 2010 20:47:55
    • Good practical move., Noel, Tue, 2 Nov 2010 07:51:49
  • Re: Need input on front struts Bilstein vs Sachs, etc, Ben, Mon, 1 Nov 2010 18:18:09

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