Reasons for High Cost of B5 S4 OEM Rear Shocks
01-01-2006, 04:30 PM
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Reasons for High Cost of B5 S4 OEM Rear Shocks
At 77K miles, the shocks on my 2000 B5 S4 have finally had it. I called my local suspension shop (Custom Alignment in Mountain View, CA) and had them quote me parts and labor for a four-wheel shock replacement with one quote using OEM parts and another spec'ing Bilstein HDs.
The Bilstein HDs were what I expected, $112/each for the rear and $119/each for the front; however, I was a bit more surprised than usual at the OEM prices: $531/each for the rears and $216/each for the fronts.
With the current USD vs. EUR exchange rates and normal Audi parts marks-up, the fronts make some sense; however, the rears baffle me. From what I can see, it is a standard shock (no McPherson struts or anything like that). Any insight as to why the rears are so ridiculously expensive? Do they include some extra "install kit" that the fronts do not?
The Bilstein HDs were what I expected, $112/each for the rear and $119/each for the front; however, I was a bit more surprised than usual at the OEM prices: $531/each for the rears and $216/each for the fronts.
With the current USD vs. EUR exchange rates and normal Audi parts marks-up, the fronts make some sense; however, the rears baffle me. From what I can see, it is a standard shock (no McPherson struts or anything like that). Any insight as to why the rears are so ridiculously expensive? Do they include some extra "install kit" that the fronts do not?
01-01-2006, 05:17 PM
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FYI, there's someone looking to sell stock suspension in the Classifieds for $150 or so...
go with this used OEM set if it looks good. Otherwise, I 2nd kiNGMak's suggestion about going with coilovers.
I have StaSiS Street Sports and love it. Good luck.
Oh, don't know why the rear OEM suspension kit would cost more than the front. Maybe the shop quoted you the strut housing as well? Again, sounds weird.
I have StaSiS Street Sports and love it. Good luck.
Oh, don't know why the rear OEM suspension kit would cost more than the front. Maybe the shop quoted you the strut housing as well? Again, sounds weird.
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