I want to buy non adaptive OEM Bilstein shocks for the rear of my 1998, but I am trying to figure out why many places, Parts Geek for example, show 2 different part numbers. Without any explanation of the difference .

Does anyone know the difference between these Bilstein parts?

MJA3540DE (cost around $125 per shock); W01033-1911133 (cost about $105)

Both are non adaptive.

Any of the places that sell both at good prices have little technical knowledge to share some I wanted to check here to see if anyone knows about this.

I appreciate your help.

John

 

My guess is that they are identical parts, but the first is "Jaguar Branded" with a Jaguar part number. The second is direct from Bilstein to Parts Geek with a non-Jaguar number.
S N G Barratt sell two rear shocks in the UK. The Jaguar branded is £171-66 excluding tax, the Bilstein branded is £65.00 excluding tax. That's not far short of one third of the price for what appears to be the same item.
Somebody has to pay for the free coffee at the dealership !

 

FWIW, I purchased the lower priced Bilsteins from Partsgeek. Installed them, and away I went.
If you look at the warehouse, you'll notice that the prices are for different warehouses.
I suspect that maybe they also drop ship from other distributors, and their prices reflect a minimum margin.

 

Another very competitive source for Bilstein shocks is FCP Euro. Be sure to speak with them before you decide to order. Like SNG Barratt Group, they are running a Labor Day sale this weekend....

 

I tend to agree with David. It's what's known as the "Jaguar Tax". If it has "Jaguar" on the packaging then you need to automatically add 20-30% to the comparable item that does not say "Jaguar". Both items are quite likely identical.

Purists with deep pockets do not mind paying the "Jaguar Tax". I on the other hand have several vehicles to maintain and I have never experienced a problem using the "plain brown bag" items from well known suppliers such as SNG Barratt.




Stu