OEM or reputable brand for top mounts and spring seats?

arcingv40 · Aug 19th, 2021, 16:16

I'm replacing the top mounts, spring seats and springs on the front of my 2006 V70R.

I'm decided on getting the springs from Volvo, but has anyone got experience of Bilstein for the seats and top mounts? Volvo is £350, Bilstein is £246 (via AutoDoc).

I don't want to compromise on quality, but surely Bilstein would be as good, if not better quality that the (Sachs/Monroe?) OEM parts?

Kev0607 · Aug 19th, 2021, 19:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcingv40

I'm replacing the top mounts, spring seats and springs on the front of my 2006 V70R.

I'm decided on getting the springs from Volvo, but has anyone got experience of Bilstein for the seats and top mounts? Volvo is £350, Bilstein is £246 (via AutoDoc).

I don't want to compromise on quality, but surely Bilstein would be as good, if not better quality that the (Sachs/Monroe?) OEM parts?

Febi Bilstein are very good, as are Corteco.

arcingv40 · Aug 19th, 2021, 19:53

Thought Febi Bilstein was the cheap version of Bilstein. Apparently not related.

Kev0607 · Aug 19th, 2021, 20:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcingv40

Thought Febi Bilstein was the cheap version of Bilstein. Apparently not related.

I’ve used Febi a lot. They’re very good parts in my experience. Here’s a good one for you… the top engine mount in my car is a genuine Volvo one. However, I later found out that the Febi Bilstein is identical. So Volvo basically put their stamp on a Febi part & charged more for it. Lots of “genuine” parts are made by aftermarket companies.

Don’t forget Corteco… also a very good brand.

arcingv40 · Sep 30th, 2022, 13:54

Bit of an update on this if anyone finds it looking for advice. The Bilstein (Not Febo-Bilstein) top mounts looks identical to the OEM Volvo. Right down to the part numbers on the bearing.

However my near-side one lasted for less than 4k miles, so it's been swapped out for OEM. Looks like Volvo is the only long-term option for top mounts, and not somewhere I'm going to compromise again.

SnineT · Sep 30th, 2022, 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcingv40

Bit of an update on this if anyone finds it looking for advice. The Bilstein (Not Febo-Bilstein) top mounts looks identical to the OEM Volvo. Right down to the part numbers on the bearing.

However my near-side one lasted for less than 4k miles, so it's been swapped out for OEM. Looks like Volvo is the only long-term option for top mounts, and not somewhere I'm going to compromise again.

If it's gone that quick I fear you have another issue hiding behind it.

arcingv40 · Sep 30th, 2022, 19:18

Not something I haven’t thought about. The front end suspension has been pretty much rebuilt and is now properly hunter aligned. I hope if there was an underlying issue I might have resolved it now. I’ll know in about 3500 miles.

SnineT · Sep 30th, 2022, 19:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcingv40

Not something I haven’t thought about. The front end suspension has been pretty much rebuilt and is now properly hunter aligned. I hope if there was an underlying issue I might have resolved it now. I’ll know in about 3500 miles.

It's all you can do tbh, does she pull at all, any vibrations through the body,pedals or steering?

arcingv40 · Sep 30th, 2022, 19:39

Plenty when I bought it, but it’s had top mounts, helper springs, springs, shocks, ball joints, tie rods, control arms and poly control arm bushes, and drop links.

Handles as well as a V70 can I think. No vibrations or clunks, runs perfectly straight. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

Aug 19th, 2021, 16:16	#1
arcingv40 Junior Member Last Online: Apr 15th, 2024 12:53 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Stroud	OEM or reputable brand for top mounts and spring seats? I'm replacing the top mounts, spring seats and springs on the front of my 2006 V70R. I'm decided on getting the springs from Volvo, but has anyone got experience of Bilstein for the seats and top mounts? Volvo is £350, Bilstein is £246 (via AutoDoc). I don't want to compromise on quality, but surely Bilstein would be as good, if not better quality that the (Sachs/Monroe?) OEM parts?

Aug 19th, 2021, 19:53	#3
arcingv40 Junior Member Last Online: Apr 15th, 2024 12:53 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Stroud	Thought Febi Bilstein was the cheap version of Bilstein. Apparently not related. Last edited by arcingv40; Aug 19th, 2021 at 20:06.

Sep 30th, 2022, 13:54	#5
arcingv40 Junior Member Last Online: Apr 15th, 2024 12:53 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Stroud	Bit of an update on this if anyone finds it looking for advice. The Bilstein (Not Febo-Bilstein) top mounts looks identical to the OEM Volvo. Right down to the part numbers on the bearing. However my near-side one lasted for less than 4k miles, so it's been swapped out for OEM. Looks like Volvo is the only long-term option for top mounts, and not somewhere I'm going to compromise again.

Sep 30th, 2022, 19:18	#7
arcingv40 Junior Member Last Online: Apr 15th, 2024 12:53 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Stroud	Not something I haven’t thought about. The front end suspension has been pretty much rebuilt and is now properly hunter aligned. I hope if there was an underlying issue I might have resolved it now. I’ll know in about 3500 miles.

Sep 30th, 2022, 19:39	#9
arcingv40 Junior Member Last Online: Apr 15th, 2024 12:53 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Stroud	Plenty when I bought it, but it’s had top mounts, helper springs, springs, shocks, ball joints, tie rods, control arms and poly control arm bushes, and drop links. Handles as well as a V70 can I think. No vibrations or clunks, runs perfectly straight. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

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