My Tour de France was given an advisory on last MOT, about oil mist from a rear damper. At 76k I had thought the dampers were feeling a bit iffy so did some research for replacing all 4 as I plan to keep the car for another year or two. In the event I went for the B4 (OEM spec) Bilsteins obtained for a good price from AutoDoc Germany. These have transformed the car getting rid of the wallow and Porpoising......it is now very precise without being harsh. Recommended option if you need new dampers & improved control without breaking the bank.

Replacing anything that's badly worn is going to feel like a night and day difference no matter what you put under the car.

I'd give the OP a like, but I've reached my Briskoda limit today.

Good to have real feedback on using non exotic non too expensive shock absorbers.

 

 

As chimaera rightly points out a new version of anything that is shot will be a huge improvement.......IMHO the gas filled Bilsteins are head and shoulders above the original oil filled Monroe's (? I think) which had very poor rebound damping even when new......hence the porpoising on a series of undulations. OEM replacements (at trade price) were £434, Bilstein B4 from AutoDoc £205 delivered in about 9 days.......no contest. Labour (son's friend in local garage) £90

The OE is Sachs IIRC. All modern shocks are gas and oil filled, so it's just down to individual brands in how they put them together.