Question: I would like my envoy to resemble the FX-35 suspension as much as possible. Can you please tell me witch shocks and struts I need to buy to achieve this. I feel it has to much body lean when  I take turns. Oh I don’t do any off road.

Answer: To reduce your body roll in corners and give your Envoy a sportier feel, your best bet is the Bilstein Heavy Duty.  With it’s digressive valving, the Bilstein Heavy Duty will drastically reduce the body roll of your Envoy.

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index.cfm?mode=results&selected_model=700160&selected_year=2003

Question: Can you tell me if the Bilstein shocks F4-VNE-4420-BC and F4-VNE-4419-BC will fit my vechile or do I need the F4-VE3-4400-H0 and F4-VE3-4401-H0?

Answer:both of those sets of front struts will fit your 1995 325i, as will the 4402 and 4403.  The difference between the shocks is the stiffness of thevalving and the level of comfort/performance they provide. The Bilstein Touring Class, the 4419 and 4420, is a twin tube low pressure strut similar to what comes from the factory on most vehicles.  It will give you a comfortable soft ride, but won’t improve your BMW’s performance at all.  The Bilstein Heavy Duty (4400 & 4401) is designed to be a performance upgrade that is still comfortable for daily driving, while the Sport (4402 & 4403) will give you the best performance possible but will give you a harsh ride.
You can see all of those here:
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index.cfm?mode=results&selected_model=185064&selected_year=1995

What is your driving style: Normal Driver
Vehicle Setup: Four Wheel Drive
Suspension Type: Regular Shocks or Struts

Question: Hi, I just recieved my order of Bilstein shocks from  you and I have a question on installation.  From the way I see it, up  front the dust boot is going to be on the top, while on the rear shocks  the dust boot will be on bottom.  Is this correct that they will be  opposite of each other?  Is it correct to assume that they are stickered  to be installed so that the writing is right side up?

Answer: Generally the sticker method is a pretty good way to determine which side should be up with a shock.  On a monotube shock like a Bilstein, the shock can actually be mounted either way and still work properly (unlike a traditional twin tube unit) So if the shocks fit properly and there are no clearance issues, you’ll be safe with them either way.  Typically the shocks are designed to be installed boot up, but because Bilstein shocks have a larger body than a typical OEM shock, some are designed to be installed boot down.

Question: I currently have bilstein shock absorbers and both  front got damaged, I don’t know how may the lifetime warranty apply, but  for the moment I need new shocks and I am unsure if I should buy the sport shocks or the heavy duty bilsteins to ensure they handle the bad roads  here in Mexico.

Answer: Damage to a shock due to an accident, road conditions or other external source is not covered under warranty, only manufacturer defects.  Both the Heavy Duty and the Sport valving shocks will give you very good handling for
rough roads, the Sport will be valved stiffer than the Heavy Duty for better handling, at the expense of a firmer ride.  Both will be very durable and will take a lot of abuse, and you really can’t go wrong picking either one, but I would recommend the Heavy Duty for your situation, as it will give you a balance of good handling on rough roads without the stiffness of the Sport valving.

You can see those here:
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index.cfm?mode=results&selected_model=3721&selected_year=2000

What is your driving style: Aggressive driver

Suspension Type: Regular Shocks or Struts

Question: I want to get better handling for my 2005 Mazda 3, but don’t want to spend the big bucks on a coilover kit.  What shocks would give me better handling without costing $2,000 plus installation?

Answer: The best choice for shocks to improve the handling of a 2005 Mazda 3 are the Bilstein Sport shocks and struts, which are high pressure monotube shocks that are specifically valved for handling performance on the Mazda 3.

2005 Mazda 3 Front Left Front Strut – Bilstein Sport

2005 Mazda 3 Front Right Front Strut – Bilstein Sport

2005 Mazda 3 Rear Shocks (order two) – Bilstein Sport

What is your driving style: Normal

Suspension Type: Regular Shocks or Struts

Question: I need new struts for my 2001 Toyota Corolla, what ones will give me the best ride and the longest life?

Answer: The best choice for replacement struts for a 2001 Toyota Corolla is the Bilstein Touring Class brand.  These will give you a comfortable ride similar to the factory units, but are much better built and will last longer.  You can see those here:

2001 Toyota Corolla Front Right Strut – Bilstein Touring Class

2001 Toyota Corolla Front Left Strut – Bilstein Touring Class

2001 Toyota Corolla Rear Right Strut – Bilstein Touring Class

2001 Toyota Corolla Rear Left Strut – Bilstein Touring Class

You can see all of the parts we carry for your 2001 Toyota Corolla here:

2001 Toyota Corolla Struts and Suspension

What is your driving style: Aggressive

Suspension Type: Regular Shocks or Struts

Question: I want my 2004 Porsche Boxster to handle the best that it possibly can, everyone says coilovers are the way to go.  I thought they were just for lowering the car and I don’t care about that, bu if they’ll give me the best handling, I’ll buy them

Answer: Coilovers are the absolute best thing you can do for the handling of your Porsche short of having the suspension completely rebuilt with race car parts.   Since we can’t ship you a team of engineers and fabricators, the BIlstein PSS9 coilover is your best choice. The Bilstein PSS9 coilover for the Porsche Boxster will lower the ride height, but the ride height is adjustable, so you can leave it high enough to drive on public roads on your way to the track, then lower it down for racing.  You can see that part here:

Bilstein PSS9 Coilover suspension kit for 2004 Porsche Boxster.

What is your driving style: Extreme Conditions

Vehicle Setup: 4 Wheel Drive

Suspension Type: Regular Shocks or Struts

Question: I’m shopping for shocks for a 2004 Hummer H2 that has been armored for use in Iraq, it has about 2,000 lbs of extra weight added and it will be used in some very harsh conditions

Answer: Your best bet will be the Bilstein 5100 series shocks built specifically for the Hummer H2.  Normally the Bilstein 5100 series offroad shocks are only available for lifted trucks, but for the H2, they are actually designed for stock height trucks.  These will give you the extra control you need with the heavy armor on the truck.

2004 Hummer H2 Bilstein 5100 Front Shock

2004 Hummer H2 Bilstein 5100 Rear Shock

What is your driving style: Normal Driver

Vehicle Setup: 4 Wheel Drive

Suspension Type: Regular Shocks or Struts

Question: Truck has towing package.  I regularly tow a 27′ RV and occasionally haul firewood in the bed.  Looking for recommendation for a front strut (OEM struts have spring coils) and rear shock that best fits this need.  Only travel off-road occasionally.

Answer: We carry a variety of options for your application. I would prefer Bilstein Heavy Duty’s, as they will probably last the longest, and provide you the smoothest ride. You can see the options we have available on our website by clicking on the link below.

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index.cfm?mode=results&selected_model=3997&selected_year=2005

Answer: It’s best to change your shocks out every 50,000 miles or so, but there are a few ways to check yourself. If you press down on one corner of the vehicle and it takes a few movements (undulations) of the suspension before it comes to a rest, then you need new shocks. You can always take the vehicle in as well.

I would recommend Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks for everyday driving, highway driving, and even light off-roading/towing/hauling. These are direct bolt on, and provide exceptional control over stock equipment. You can see those at our website by clicking on the links below.

F4-BE5-C513-H0 – Fronts

F4-BE5-C514-H0 – Rears