[Georgeandkira]

Cars with bad dampers haven't bobbed after the old "bumper test" for years. I read the reason a long time ago and cannot remember it.

If Bilstein is too dear the brand KYB has a good rep on this side of the Atlantic.
Don't go cheap.

Deciding on a course of action with an older car isn't easy. You must have enough car savvy to predict the future. Also, clearly organized records, not a wad of rumpled receipts in a large envelope, help.
If you have such an envelope, just list your repairs starting with the oldest. One line for each episode. The date goes in the left column.

You'd never drive a car with threadbare tires because "it's older and not worth it". Then, if new dampers tighten your car up, it'll clarify your crystal ball.
Other possibly worn front end parts are separate from the struts.

And be warned, if you curb your front wheels or hit every pothole at speed with careless abandon you may need tie rod ends etc. but since you didn't mention wandering, you're in serviceable shape.

Not everyone realizes that our cars (these P2 Volvos) are great cars. All machines need maintenance. "Its been maintained throughout", means you're in great shape! There is no point at which you needn't spend any more money. You do get lengthy gaps-between-repairs with these cars.

You're in the opposite position from the metaphorical specter of some blood-sucking money pit of a car finally blowing up right after you have it painted.
The drama would share a vocabulary but you're operating from the good corner. The bad corner is some 50 quid used car you know nothing about.

You've owned the car for 10 years and have maintained it WELL.
Dampers on a 130K Volvo is no big deal at all.


Am I a cheerleader or what?