I installed Bilstein HD shocks and TME sport springs on my 85 244 about 5 months ago. While driving a couple of days ago I noticed a rattle coming from the front passenger side of my car. I thought to myself "no way it is the front strut insert, Bilsteins are the best." Well today I look under my car and sure enough, my shock had developed a nice leak. Now I know that Bilstein will replace my shock or repair it, but why put the same crap back in? I had heard of this problem with the HDs from others but thought that it was a rare mishap. So my question is: Would a set of Boge Turbo Gas or Sachs Advantage strut inserts work well with the TME springs? I know that they won't be nearly as stiff but that really doesn't matter to me right now. I just want a set of front struts that won't leak in less than a year and will perform moderately well with the lowering springs. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Stick with Bilstein, not only do I have them front and rear on my 89 240 but have them on all my current vehicles (Ford Exp., Chevy S-Blazer, Jeep Cherokee, VW Jetta). I have been using them for quiet a long time on other vehicles I have owned. Out of all the shocks I have installed I have only had one of them fail due to oil leaks. I have tried many many other shocks and there are a few that come close but none that match. I am an avid fan of serious handleing so my opinion is some what towards that of a slightly stiffer ride. Besides it's not that much of a problem to change front struts.

Thats crazy to turn down the replacement and spend for an inferior ride. I have a lot of HDs and yes, one failed and was replaced. Nothing compares to the ride.

Yeah, it would be kind of crazy to replace them because of one faulty shock. It just surprised me that one failed so soon, especially at the price I paid for them. But oh well, it happens.