I replaced mine a few days ago assuming at 85k it must have been shot. The old dampener seems like its gas based rather than hydraulic like the new one. When i push the old one in i hear a hiss of air but the new one sounds like maybe a fluid type.

Anyway the steering seems a bit more stable over rough areas but its a marginal improvement as far as i can tell. I have always had issues with the amount of slop in the steering. I took it in twice when i got it but the dealer said everything checked out. It just seems to wander a bit more than other cars I've owned. I assumed it was due to the design of the car, its just not that tight when driving in a straight line.