If you’re looking for a new set of shocks and struts for your vehicle, you may be wondering which brand to choose: Bilstein or Old Man Emu?
Both brands are popular options, but which one is better?
This blog post will compare Bilstein vs OME in terms of quality, performance, and price.
Then, we’ll help you decide which brand is the best option for your needs!
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, and if you click them to make a purchase, Auto Buyer Guru Blog will earn a commission.
Table of Contents
Bilstein vs Old Man Emu
Quality
There is no clear winner when it comes to the quality of Bilstein and OME shocks and suspension.
Both brands are known for their high-quality products, and both offer a wide range of options to choose from.
Bilstein shocks are typically regarded as being a little bit more expensive than OME shocks, but they also provide a longer warranty.
A limited lifetime warranty backs Bilstein shocks. OME shocks are less expensive, but they also have a shorter warranty.
Old Man Emu offers a three-year unlimited kilometers warranty and aftersales service on their shocks and springs.
It might not be an issue for you and doesn’t impact performance, but we have seen some users of OME say that the paint chips on their shocks quite quickly, especially if you drive in the gravel a lot.
In fairness, this could happen with any shock or suspension system, and it just doesn’t help that most of the Old Man Emu’s parts are bright yellow.
When it comes to quality, both Bilstein and OME are excellent options. However, if you’re looking for the best possible quality, Bilstein may be the better choice.
Performance
Both Bilstein and Old Man Emu are known for their high-quality performance, but which brand is better?
Bilstein shocks are typically regarded as being a little bit more expensive than OME shocks, but they also offer a longer warranty.
OME shocks are less expensive, but they also have a shorter warranty.
Old Man Emu offers a three-year unlimited kilometers warranty and aftersales service on their shocks and springs.
It might not be an issue for you and doesn’t impact performance, but we have seen some users of OME say that the paint chips on their shocks quite quickly, especially if you drive in the gravel a lot.
In fairness, this could happen with any shock or suspension system; it just doesn’t help that OME products are designed for superior driving experiences across all types of terrains.
Installing an Old Man Emu suspension upgrade by ARB will provide fantastic performance improvements to your truck, including load carrying capacity and control characteristics.
OME shocks and struts are tuned for each application, meaning that you get the best possible ride quality and performance for your vehicle.
Bilstein shocks are a popular choice for many drivers, but OME shocks provide an overall better driving experience in many cases.
We have seen this mentioned on a few forums that a significant advantage in choosing OME vs Bilstein is that Old Man Emu will match its shock rates to its springs, allowing you to select which suits your driving style and the weight of the cargo you carry in your truck.
However, If you plan on doing a lot of rough terrain driving, we have seen some customers say that the OME’s can run hot over longer treks compared to Bilstein.
One forum user in particular user mentioned how he used Bilstein and his friend on the same touring on the same terrain with Old Man Emu’s had to stop and cool down because they got so hot (Read more).
Now there are several factors to consider here. We can’t just say that Bilstein is better than Old Man Emu because of this one post.
The type of truck could be different, the suspension set up and even the driving style of each driver.
We felt it was worth mentioning as we know many experiences where customers had some feedback with both Bilstein and OME.
Price
Bilstein shocks are typically slightly more expensive than Old Man Emu shocks when it comes to price.
However, the price difference is not significant in many cases, where a $100 could separate a complete suspension kit (at the time of this post).
Do your research here once you have decided the best solution you need, shop around for the best possible deal.
Prices can vary a lot depending on the country you live in.
Last update on 2023-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
OME Nitrocharger vs Bilstein 5100
The main difference between the OME Nitrocharger and Bilstein 5100 is that the Bilstein 5100 is a monotube shock absorber, while the OME Nitrocharger is a twin-tube design.
The Bilstein 5100 also has a larger piston diameter, which gives it better performance on rough terrain.
As a result, the Bilstein B8 5100 is perfect for lifted trucks and SUVs.
On top of improved driving and better dampening, the 5100 leveling shock comes with three height options from stock to 2.5 inches of lift.
The Old Man Emu Nitro is engineered for both daily road driving and off-road touring; the Nitro easily adapts to any terrain offering superior performance to any standard or factory-grade shocks.
Both Nitro and 5100 are fully compatible with OME’s extensive range of springs, bushes, and hardware for a suspension upgrade to your vehicle.
- All necessary washers, bushings, and nuts included; Factory shock mounting bolts are reused for installation
- Bilstein's Limited Lifetime manufacturer's Warranty protects against defects and premature failure
- Monotube gas charged for longevity, durability, and performance
- Shock boots included with all shocks except in cases of special fitment
Last update on 2023-11-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Bilstein 6112 vs OME Nitro shocks
When it comes to Bilstein 6112 vs OME Nitro shocks, these two are eventually matched. Bilstein B8 6112 shocks are specifically designed for the off-road adventurer.
The Monotube design ensures consistent dampening under all conditions, while the larger diameter piston helps prevent any bottoming out.
As a result, the Bilstein 6112 is perfect for lifted trucks and SUVs.
OME Nitro shocks are designed for on and offroad use as well. The nitrogen-charged shocks are rebuildable and work great on lifted or lowered trucks.
OME Nitro shocks offer a smooth ride on the highway while still maintaining reasonable control in offroad conditions.
Both Bilstein 6112 vs OME Nitro shocks are excellent choices for anyone looking for an upgrade in their suspension.
The Bilstein 6112 is perfect for those who frequently take their truck or SUV offroad, while the OME Nitro shocks are a good choice for anyone looking for a smooth ride on and off-road.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference which one you choose to go with.
- Product type :AUTO PART
- Package dimensions :17.78 cm L x38.1 cm W x91.44 cm H
- country of origin :United States
- package weight :55.91lbs
Last update on 2023-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Which Is Better? Bilstein vs Old Man Emu?
It depends on what you are looking for when it comes to Bilstein vs Old Man Emu shocks.
If you are looking for a shock that will give you the best all-around performance and quality, Bilstein is the way to go.
However, if you are looking for something more affordable that can still be customized to your liking, Old Man Emu is an excellent option.
In the end, it comes down to what you are looking for and what you can afford.
Whichever option you choose, make sure that you take the time to find the right shock for your vehicle and driving style.
Depending on what upgrades you need, many truck/jeep drivers balance the two.
Using OME springs and their best choice of shocks together seems to be a solution many customers have opted for that gives their ride the best possible performance.
For example, a setup comprising of OME springs and Bilstein 5100 shocks.
We hope this post was of some help to you, thanks for reading.
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Disclaimer
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, and if you click them to make a purchase, Auto Buyer Guru Blog will earn a commission. The decision to purchase these links is completely yours and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
