What is the best set of rear shocks for my 2000 Lincoln Town Car Cartier?

A few months ago I had the air springs
replaced in order to keep the air suspension
system instead of doing a conversion kit.
Recently my mechanic told me one of the
rear shocks (NOT the air spring) was
beginning to leak and would need to be
replaced soon, and told me to buy a set of
Gabriel Ultra Shock/Strut (part 69606). The
gentleman at Autozone said that since I still
have air springs I would need air shocks so I
ordered Gabriel Hijackers Shock/Strut (part
49205) instead. My mechanic said that to
have air shocks you need a compressor,
airlines, etc separate from the ones that
operate the air springs which would be very
expensive to install. I’m back to non-air
shocks, but what are the best kind? The
Bilstein shocks (part 24184755) have a great
reputation and based on reviews would be
the most comfortable and best handling, but
I’ve read on a forum that they aren’t
compatible with my car if I still have air
springs. I want as good or better than what
you expect from a smooth ride in a Town Car
and the Gabriel Ultras originally suggested by
my mechanic seem generic and cheap and
have a few bad reviews. The car only has 80k
miles so I am willing to spend more on parts
for a more comfortable ride since I’ll have it a
long time.