I'm a Bilstein man myself. Note that the pro-and-con views you cited are for two different Bilstein models.... 5150s and 1738/39s. You will not find any complaints against the 1738/39s on this board.

I went with Bilstein B46-1738-H1 and B46-1739-H1 front and rears, and have been very happy with them. I was even able to compare the to a VX with original shocks and found them to be very, very comparable in ride quality. And I got the delivered to my door for only $325. Installation was easy, too... I posted a procedure on the board here sometime last year.

There are lots of Rancho 9000 fans here, so you will probably be good with those, too. I agree with you, though... it seems from people's posts that you have to crank them all the way to get a similar-to-stock ride.

Good luck!