I can buy these shocks and struts for $325 (as compared to $525 from the dealer) but after reading the threads on this topic I am wondering if I should just pay another $100 and buy the bilsteins.

Another thing that I am concerned is that whenever I call the dealer to get a part they always ask for the VIN#, but if I buy it from somewhere else they don't care about the VIN#. Makes me wonder why.