Disco 1 Terrafirma vs Bilstein

Hi all,

I’m currently in the stages of rebuilding my disco, got the axles off and realised I need some new shocks. I was going to replace them at some point over the next year or so anyway so it’s no bother.

My question is, should I go for Terrafirma or Bilstein shocks. I’d be getting them from my local dealer (M&M), they have a set of Bilstein shocks with disloc cones and extended brake lines for £360. Or I could go for the set of Terrafirma shocks for £210. I know Bilstein are top of the range shocks in general but I don’t know much about them on off road vehicles.

Bilstein are the Rolls Royce of shocks but I can happily praise the Terrafirma shocks as I have had both standard set and +2" pro sport shocks and have found them far beyond my expectations.

While i'll steer clear of any terrafirma product myself, the shocks i've got lasted less than 2 years and a brake hose from them blew without any reason after 14 months... IMO it's an offence to bilsteins to be compared with terrafirma from any point of view

dieseldog69 said:

Bilstein are the Rolls Royce of shocks

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How do Bilstein cope off-road? I understand they’re top of the range but I don’t hear much about them in the 4x4 word compared to Terrafirma

sierrafery said:

While i'll steer clear of any terrafirma product myself, the shocks i've got lasted less than 2 years and a brake hose from them blew without any reason after 14 months... IMO it's an offence to bilsteins to be compared with terrafirma from any point of view

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What did you replace them with? I’ve heard both incredible and terrible things about Terrafirma. How were they when they were working? Have you had any experience with Bilsteins?

Mr Spitfire said:

How do Bilstein cope off-road? I understand they’re top of the range but I don’t hear much about them in the 4x4 word compared to Terrafirma

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You won't hear much about the Bilsteins as they are expensive and not many people are willing to pay top price for shocks for off road but they are good, I had them all round on an Isuzu Trooper a few years back and they were awesome both on and off road.

It all depends on what you want for your money?

Koni Heavy Track shocks are also very highly praised off road.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Koni-Hea...731756&hash=item1c754a6f81:g:Ze4AAOSwux5YKuE1

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Koni-Hea...363837&hash=item1c97f57250:g:xc0AAOSwXeJYKuFM

But be warned, these are even more expensive than the Bilsteins but have been proven to be indestructable off road.

Mr Spitfire said:

What did you replace them with? I’ve heard both incredible and terrible things about Terrafirma. How were they when they were working? Have you had any experience with Bilsteins?

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I bit the bullet and bought Old Man Emu which i can't blame but i have friends with Billsteins and they ar very pleased... though i'm not doing heavy tuff, my off-road consist in travelling through mud with deep ruts, not rocks or things like that

dieseldog69 said:

It all depends on what you want for your money?

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Are Terrafirma good for the price? I don’t want to spend money if I don’t have to but if I’m better off buying a set of Bilstein for an extra £150 then I’d rather do that now than have to replace them down the line

Mr Spitfire said:

Are Terrafirma good for the price? I don’t want to spend money if I don’t have to but if I’m better off buying a set of Bilstein for an extra £150 then I’d rather do that now than have to replace them down the line

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Like I say, I found them great value for money.

The Terrafirma Pro-Sport shocks I took off after 5yrs off road abuse were as good that day as the day they were first fitted in 2013, little bit rusty from the Dutch sand slurry grit blasting them ever weekend off roading and I've had these +2" Pro-Sports on for about 6 months and they're great.

I would also like to mention the fact that I don't run anti-roll bars on my Discovery and there is no noticeable body roll when cornering suggesting the shocks and springs are doing their job very nicely.

If you want to stay cheap then you can't go wrong with Armstrong, cheap as chips at £25 each but not sure how long they'll last if pushed hard off road?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROV...918757&hash=item3cc98edd3a:g:nOEAAMXQnXFRakkG

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROV...+Rover&hash=item3cc986e36c:g:cFkAAMXQUF5RYnGM

Always used Bilsteins on my rally cars. Never had any problems.

Thanks for your help guys, I've ordered a set of +2" Terrafirma shocks and springs. Just wondering if it might be too much now with 2" body lift too

I run +2" on mine with 235/85r16 tyres, looks just right & handles perfectly fine.

i have a full set of bilstein B8s on my peugeot 306.. they are mentally good.. smooth ride when bimbling, Perfectly planted and responsive around the track.

i know it's not the same car but simply look at what dakar teams are running.. the kamaz trucks i think run bilsteins.