What brand would you put on an 200 A8 with 170K miles if you wanted a comfortable, soft (not stiff performance) ride and didn't want to spend a lot of money? I'm seeing that most sources do not offer anything but Bilstien. Does the word, "sport" in the description indicate that they lower the car?

I do not want any lowering from the normal height.

 

You would only lower the car if you changed springs. New struts marked "sport" will make for a harsher ride...esp with the OEM springs, which are matched to the dampening rate of the OEM (or equivalent) shocks or struts (front shocks).

If your cars shocks (including strut dampers = fr shocks) are indeed failing the car would become "bouncier" and "toss" more in turns (loss of smooth transition) than they did before losing their dampening ability.
Basically, unless they have leaked their oil, shocks don't really fail...if so, you could easily bounce the car with your weight...if it returns to it's normal height instantly with no recoil (bounce), the shock is fine.

The springs dictate how soft the ride is, unless shocks too stiff ("sport") are installed.

I have never actually had a failed shock at any mileage, so the only time I've changed them in the past, is with matching springs to firm up the suspension for quicker handling...AT the expense, of course (ALWAYS), of loss of ride quality. Nothing is free.

I have never shopped for OEM rated shocks, so don't know a good source...OEM replacements are BIG $$, but may not even need them. As I stated, if you need shocks, harshness of ride would NOT be your indicator...increase in bounce and (with tires, pressure and alignment correct) loss of cornering precision might be.

 

For OEM, I went with the Sachs shocks, they are what comes on out d2's from the factory.
FCP sells for around $100 a piece.

-Richard

 

The car has about 170 on it. It doesn't bounce like it's floating and keep oscilating, but it does take bumps harder than i'd like. If I go over rr tracks, it does seem to reverberate, for a bit. Again, not a bounce but what you'd expect if you twanged a guitar string.

And the absolute best front end man in the world said I'm getting some cupping on my tires. He thinks I should replace the struts and he isn't even trying to sell them to me. He will put them in and only charge me labor . He also said when he has it apart, if he thinks the upper arms need replacing, he will install the ones I already have and will install the struts i buy.

I've known him for years when he used to live across the street from me and owned his own frame straight / brake / suspension and alignment shop. He inherited if from his father and ran it into the ground because he was a lousy businesman. He also was stupid enough to get into multi-level marketing and would pitch his customer. I lost track of him and yesterday saw that he resurfaced at a front end place near me. I trust him completely when it comes to front end stuff but would never fall for his Amway sales pitch.

I saw Sachs on sale at Autozone but I'll check out FCP like the other guy said.

 

Tires can have a major ride effect on any vehicle. Even in the same size, sidewall design, and overall tire design can effect ride as much as shock valving, and to some extent, spring selection too.

Go on Tire Rack, and look for the ratings of tires that fit your ride. I reciently went with a tire rated with a smooth and comfortable ride for the high performance summer tire catagory, and I'm impressed with how these Continentals have tamed my S8's ride on 20's no less.

My 79 year old mother, who normally rides around in a 1996 S500 on stock wheels and 65 sidewall tires, commented to me that "This car rides smoother than your Fathers Mercedes."

Yes, that's on 20's with high performance summer tires.... I would think a set of these tires on the stock 18's would be even smoother, and provide you with grip that all season tires can't match when pushed.

As for the shocks, Sachs is the OEM supplier, and if it was me, I'd get the slightly more sport valved Mono Tube Bilsteins, and a set of Conti tires on the stock springs. (And have your worn out control arms replaced as you noted.)

The mono tube shocks/struts I've experienced don't make the ride that much rougher, but they do handle large suspension movements such as rail road tracks excellent, and at speed, your vehicle will be more stable. But around town, you might get some head toss, and ride issues depending on your local road conditions.

Another thing to consider is replacment of your sway bar bushings. (Not the links, the bushings.) I know even going to new OEM ones can firm up the ride, but I'm looking for a urethene replacement, and adding grease zirks to them, so you can lube up the bushing to keep them quiet.

 

Replace tie-rod ends, sway-bar links and go for a ride. I went this route and my shock concerns disappeared. You will know you have shock problems when driving at higher than typical speeds. Even worn and with many miles the OEM shocks last a long time.
Good test would be to load up with three 250 lb friends and go for a 85mph ride.
If floating along remove the back seat occupants and repeat the run. Seems the rears are the first to wear (softer than the fronts).
I've decided until winning the lottery I'm going to live with the OEM shocks but I look forward to getting Bilsteins (even if I really don't need them). pc

 

I've just changed all 4 shocks on my S8 to Bilstein B6 Sport.
They are absolutely perfect for the S8 with oem springs.

Regarding failed shocks and oil leak, i did not notice a leak in any of mine but when i took them off and tested them by hand they where dead/shot as can be....

The bilsteins are aboud $440 for all 4 from http://www.eshocks.com/

 

Guessing since The S8 do have gas pressure shocks oem there wont be any oil leak when they go bad.

 

Well, even gas-charged shocks are still filled and dampened by oil...not the gas.
The purpose of the nitrogen is to prevent the oil from foaming during usage and heat. Foaming oil becomes spongy and does not dampen well.
Gas charging is just an extra step taken to improve the performance of standard oil dampened shocks...they do NOT ride on the gas, as do air shocks.

P.S. But yes, the loss of gas pressure would lead to shock fade..poorer performance.