Im affraid you have no alternatives then KYB when it comes to replacement shocks and struts, they perform much better then OE replacements tho.

If you want the best, you will need to speak with petrified rabbit, he sells a conversion kit that makes it possible to use volkswagen coilovers, with coilovers you will have complete control over your suspension setup, depending on the actual kit you choose of course... You can go with cheap 300 dollar ebay coilovers or the high end 1500-2000 dollar "whatever" brand name stuff.

But for the price of a set of lowering springs plus shocks and struts, you can pick up a very nice mid-range priced set of coilovers!