OEM vs Genuine Struts

[duderduderini]

If funds were not tight right now I'd be cool with genuine but the cost is staggering for 4 of them. Graeme suggested I get 4 new ones. Vehicle is RRS 2.7 2006 with 135,000 k on the clock.
So any experience of the alternatives?
I'd appreciate any input
Thanks
Nick

[LRD414]

Have a read of this thread:
Air strut replacement (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/243654-air-strut-replacement.html)
Mixed experiences with non-LR.

Scott

[duderduderini]

Thanks for that. I might just have to stagger replacements and just buy the genuine ones.
Thanks for the heads up

[LandyAndy]

Importing your own from UK sellers may also save some coins.
Andrew

[Graeme]

If not already done, I suggest that you check that the air-spring is actually leaking rather than invest in replacements without checking only to discover that the corner still drops due to a leaking valve block or loose pipe connection. Put the vehicle at off-road height then spray soapy solution on the folds, the air fitting at the top and the front valve block.

[LGM]

It was fair to say the I had only begun to notice a deterioration in the ride of my D4 in recent times. That was not to say that I had any signs that the airbags themselves had given up. I discussed this ride issue with my local LR service agent. Their advice was that my D4 had reached the point where shocks were most probably 'shot' so to speak. They advised replacing the airbag and shocks as one unit and to stick with LR originals. When I asked re options they did say the could fit 'others' if that is what I wanted to do. I must admit to drawing breath when advised of the price to replace the shocks and airbags as one unit. In the end, after some research and consideration of price vs performance, I decided to take the plunge. I did not want to fork out all the loot in one hit so opted to stagger the replacements as discussed by 'duderduderini' below.

I had the fronts done using genuine LR units and was astounded at the ride difference. I can only imagine what it would have been like to do all four at once. Anyhow I will be getting the rears done (genuine LR) in the near future so I am expecting that the ride will improve further.

Oh, and just to give you an idea of how old the shocks and airbags were my Sep 2011 D4 now had just ticked over the 198,000k mark when the replacements were fitted.

Linds

[Russrobe]

Have a read of this thread:
Air strut replacement (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/243654-air-strut-replacement.html)
Mixed experiences with non-LR.

Scott

Yep, went genuine, direct from Duckworths LR UK. Cheaper than I expected. Done at 200 000kms. Very easy job with the right tools, all of which are in the thread Scott linked.

[duderduderini]

Yep, went genuine, direct from Duckworths LR UK. Cheaper than I expected. Done at 200 000kms. Very easy job with the right tools, all of which are in the thread Scott linked.
Hey.
Did you get all 4 sent out to you in one go? If appropriate what kind of dollars are we talking
Thanks
Nick

[gotaflat]

Hey.
Did you get all 4 sent out to you in one go? If appropriate what kind of dollars are we talking
Thanks
Nick

About to do mine (still)

From UK source:

Genuine LR fronts £244.00 each
rears £286.00 each
Can also supply OEM Delphi units I believe they are Fronts £155.00
each rears £160.00 each
Shipping is circa £160-175 via UPS (Total)


FYG - Genuine Shipped: £1235 - Approx AUD:GPB 1.598 = AUD1,974 + fitting (like a carton of beer if you do it yourself)
Get a good wheel alignment to
I added 30points to the spot exchange rate - but you are likely to get belted a fair bit harder on the rate what ever you use (pay pal 'gift' off shore etc).

Cheers,

[Graeme]

Don't forget about GST and some lesser import duties on the total cost including shipping unless total item value less than $1000. Consider getting one set later.

Changing assemblies doesn't necessitate a wheel alignment.

[duderduderini]

Anyone have any experience with these? Bilstein actually list front and rear dampers for the disco 3 and quite possibly might be better?

[Geedublya]

Just do a search on here and you will find the reports. I went through two sets of front bilsteins in 20K before swapping back to originals. From what I understand they have discontinued the D3/4 dampers.

[~Rich~]

I've been doing some research into shock availability and absolutely nothing is available for the D3/D4, RRS other than OEM, LR and Delphi complete struts.
Definitely no Bilstein or Koni available here in Aus, they are available in other OS markets but no one is willing to ship them to Aus.
Let alone warrant them here so I won't be going down that track.
The Bilstein front shocks where prone to failure, the rears seemed ok by most reports.
The Koni's fared much better in the later builds, pity I can't source them.

[Stuart02]

Are the Land Rover ones not rebranded Delphis?

[rar110]

The original front struts in the L322 were Delphi make in U.K.

[duderduderini]

I've been doing some research into shock availability and absolutely nothing is available for the D3/D4, RRS other than OEM, LR and Delphi complete struts.
Definitely no Bilstein or Koni available here in Aus, they are available in other OS markets but no one is willing to ship them to Aus.
Let alone warrant them here so I won't be going down that track.
The Bilstein front shocks where prone to failure, the rears seemed ok by most reports.
The Koni's fared much better in the later builds, pity I can't source them.
I believe most if not all konis can be rebuilt which would be a bonus..although that was the case 10 or so years ago.Top performance in vermont melbourne would know,I will give them a call to see.
Tis a real shame re the bilsteins.. gees i thought they were meant to be good
Koni Land Rover Discovery 3/LR3 04-09 FSD Kit Shocks Dampers | eBay

https://www.koni.com/en-US/Cars/Products/List.aspx/'t=KoniComPartSearch&q=&m=200&mk=540&mt=1&modelt=70 (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Koni-Land-Rover-Discovery-3-LR3-04-09-FSD-Kit-Shocks-Dampers-/231003186705)