How long do shocks usually last?

[Dan in NZ]

When I got my car it felt tight as a virgin, but since then 12 months and 22,000 Km of driving have passed, with mostly highway driving and a fair bit of dirt-road driving. Now the car feels quite sloppy, it rolls on corners, squats on acceleration, and dives when braking. The steering used to be razor sharp, it took a bit of getting used to when swapping for my brothers 4x4, but now it feels about the same as a Subaru Legacy 4x4. I've had the steering column nut tightned up 3 times, but I think a lot of the loose/numb feeling is coming from worn shocks. Is it possible for the shocks to wear out significantly in 22,000m? How long is the usual shock life expectancy?

[Bimmer Nut Ed]

The real answer is "it depends". It depends on your driving habits, the brand of shocks installed, the condition of your springs and I'm sure over a hundred other variables. In any case, if your car is starting to handle as differently as you say, then it is very likely your shocks are worn out. If those are original springs, I'd consider repalcing those too. Also, if you do go through shocks as fast as you describe, with the "dirt-roading", maybe get some lifetime shocks you could replace free the next time they go out!

[Tiger]

Regular shocks like Boge usually last about 50K... maybe stretching it at 75,000 miles. Bilstein last forever unless it is damaged.

[Dan in NZ]

Would new springs realy make much difference compared to just new shocks? I'm very low on cash as it's almost the end of the varsity year, and I have Inspection II looming... I don't really want to lower the car much below stock height because of all the dirt roads I drive on, so that's not an incentive. The car does however sag to one side at the rear, so that spring could be shot, but the shop said they can just shim the springs to bring the car level, is this an acceptable procedure?

As you can see in my userpic, the car squats even at speed under acceleration. That pic was with an empty trunk/boot and 1/3 of a tank of gas.

[Tiger]

New spring would helps alot... at least for the rear... the thing is this job is so labor intensive and the spring is there when you do the job... killing two birds with one stone is the philosophy... otherwise it is double job!

I would go with Bilstein HD monotube if I were you. Changing spring is not mandatory... but I think with Bilstein will do just the job for you.

[Karl]

Just to clarify the question...
Do you mean to say that you have only 22,000Km on this set of shocks, or you've driven 22,000Km (don't know the age of the shocks) and now the shocks feel soft?

[Dan in NZ]

Just to clarify the question...
Do you mean to say that you have only 22,000Km on this set of shocks, or you've driven 22,000Km (don't know the age of the shocks) and now the shocks feel soft?

driven 22,000Km (don't know the age of the shocks) and now the shocks feel soft. Yeah. Marked decrease in handling performance in that time.

I'm looking around for shocks at the moment, seems Bilsteins are the best, but very expensive. Boge seem like a logical choice, being factory and all, plus they make a 30% uprated version that I think I would get. Also I see some KYB shocks around at good prices, but don't know if i would trust the quality. Monroe shocks are quite popular here too, but again don't know about quality or price.

[Paul in NZ]

without any unusual work..........BMW will quote you a figure on their six plus program,Iam pretty sure it is a fixed price including all"normal" parts.I got mine done at an indy,whose workshop is full of e30,32,34,36,unlike the dealer.I get the feeling 90 percent of the dealer techs have never seen the inside of a m30/e34

[Dan in NZ]

without any unusual work..........BMW will quote you a figure on their six plus program,Iam pretty sure it is a fixed price including all"normal" parts.I got mine done at an indy,whose workshop is full of e30,32,34,36,unlike the dealer.I get the feeling 90 percent of the dealer techs have never seen the inside of a m30/e34

The dealer here said Inspection II usually runs at about a grand... The dealer has been good to me, they did 4.5 hours free labour to remove and reinstall my radiator to have it sent out and reconditioned, after they suggested replacing the bad fan clutch and that didn't solve the overheating. This is Dunedin, hardly Ponsonby so just about everytime I'm in there I see another E34, a fair few E30's from the student population too. They replaced the coolant FOC at the same time they had the radiator reconditioned, and the trans was flushed at last oil service, so I'm hoping I can get a slightly cut-down version of Inspection II...

I'll get the shocks done at a shock shop, harldy a specialised job, but I think I'll leave the valve adjustment to the so-called professionals, at least the dealer has a 2000 E46 as the loaner...

It's a shame I don't have $1500 laying around, or I'd just get all this done tomorrow. Times like these I wish I had my Corolla back... Thrashed that little beast for two years with nothing more than $50 oil changes, and it never let me down. The 525i has cost literally thousands in repairs and servicing, drinks gas like theres no tomorrow, constantly needs something done to it, but... oh yeah, it's a bit nicer to drive. I'm sure the novelty will wear off when I'm actually LIVING in it!

[Jean@MtMiguel]

Boge,Bilsteins Touring, KYB GR2,
Accdg to my trusted partsman all of them are good, but installed Bilsteins Touring on my 95E34 as first replacement, now at 105,000 I did not go wrong,I am really happy with the handling, real tight and none of that old feeeling of looseness, all of above struts/inserts have a lifetime replacement warranty with the receipt, KYB's are nice for Japanese sedans for the price, Boge's are a softer ride for me, also have Falkens Ziex 512 225/60/15 to complement the Bilsteins Touring , I am having fun. Anyone in San Diego,CA area I have places to recommend for tires and part places where prices are more reasonable than anybody else.

[Bruno]

Regular shocks like Boge usually last about 50K... maybe stretching it at 75,000 miles. Bilstein last forever unless it is damaged.

Bilsteins shock don't last for ever... and Boge shocks last for roughly 90-100 000 miles.

[jjg43]

without any unusual work..........BMW will quote you a figure on their six plus program,Iam pretty sure it is a fixed price including all"normal" parts.I got mine done at an indy,whose workshop is full of e30,32,34,36,unlike the dealer.I get the feeling 90 percent of the dealer techs have never seen the inside of a m30/e34

[Dan in NZ]

What exactly is Inspection II?

It's the most comprehensive service. The SI indicator will alternate between oil service and inspection, every second inspection is Inspection II. Involves changing all fluids, spark plugs, filters, adjusting valves etc. Comes around about once every 40,000Km.

[Geoff Hoad]

Dan,

At the top of the tree are Bilstein and Koni. They are also the most exspensive for good reason. Both can be re-built and if you intend to keep the car then that should be a big consideration. Koni's are essentially lifetime dampers but can be rebuilt if the conditions casue them to deteriorate.

Next come good perforing shocks at a lower price but with them is the guarantee of about 60,000 kms of good driving before replacement. Here we are talking about Boge and Boge Turbos.

OEM shocks fit into this category from a performance and longevity perspective but are more expensive.

Local shocks like Monroe are technically adequate. Not bad value for money. But from personal experience with them on a Commodore they will be great for about 30,000 kms then will deteriorate quickly.

So it comes down to two things. How long do you intend to keep the car and what kind of money you intend to pay. Again what you pay is what you get.

The Boge Turbos will be a great compromise and will last around 60,000 kms. Not a bad result when you think about it.

If however you intend to track the car then my respectful recommendation would be to spend the extra and go for Konis or Bilsteins.

Hope this helps,

[Dan in NZ]

Dan,

At the top of the tree are Bilstein and Koni. They are also the most exspensive for good reason. Both can be re-built and if you intend to keep the car then that should be a big consideration. Koni's are essentially lifetime dampers but can be rebuilt if the conditions casue them to deteriorate.

Next come good perforing shocks at a lower price but with them is the guarantee of about 60,000 kms of good driving before replacement. Here we are talking about Boge and Boge Turbos.

OEM shocks fit into this category from a performance and longevity perspective but are more expensive.

Local shocks like Monroe are technically adequate. Not bad value for money. But from personal experience with them on a Commodore they will be great for about 30,000 kms then will deteriorate quickly.

So it comes down to two things. How long do you intend to keep the car and what kind of money you intend to pay. Again what you pay is what you get.

The Boge Turbos will be a great compromise and will last around 60,000 kms. Not a bad result when you think about it.

If however you intend to track the car then my respectful recommendation would be to spend the extra and go for Konis or Bilsteins.

Hope this helps,
I'm going on a road trip this Friday, so plan on getting the shocks done Thursday/Friday.

I'm not sure how long I'll keep the car. Since I'll only be replacing the rears at the moment, I plan on getting Boge. I had a free shock test done, and they recommended just replacing the rears as the front two were at 84% and 85%.

The Boge were only a little more expensive than Monroe, $800 vs $650 for all four. 60,000km will get me about 2.5-3 years, which is probably the useful life of the car as it already has 192,000km on the original engine and auto trans. Cost will be the deciding factor between Boge Turbo and Boge Automatic.

Hopefully just renewing the rear shocks will yield a decent improvement in handling.

[Geoff Hoad]

Sounds like a reasonable cost effective way to go. Good Luck!

[Paul in NZ]

if my car has m tech suspension as stock what would be your pick for replacements...i plan to keep the car forever.........if it isnt stock mtech it has been lowered at some time.It seems to be specced as a sport but was not badged by bmwnz as a sport......would 175 000 ks be time for shocks(i think i know what the answer is)

[Dan in NZ]

if my car has m tech suspension as stock what would be your pick for replacements...i plan to keep the car forever.........if it isnt stock mtech it has been lowered at some time.It seems to be specced as a sport but was not badged by bmwnz as a sport......would 175 000 ks be time for shocks(i think i know what the answer is)

Get a free shock check... I got mine at The Shock Shop, but I'm sure most suspension places would do it. Bilstein is around $1200, Munroe $650 and Boge $800-1000. We also get discount BMW CCNZ discount at a couple of places.

[walt525tour]

Boge,Bilsteins Touring, KYB GR2,
Accdg to my trusted partsman all of them are good, but installed Bilsteins Touring on my 95E34 as first replacement, now at 105,000 I did not go wrong,I am really happy with the handling, real tight and none of that old feeeling of looseness, all of above struts/inserts have a lifetime replacement warranty with the receipt, KYB's are nice for Japanese sedans for the price, Boge's are a softer ride for me, also have Falkens Ziex 512 225/60/15 to complement the Bilsteins Touring , I am having fun. Anyone in San Diego,CA area I have places to recommend for tires and part places where prices are more reasonable than anybody else.

Jean-

Did you replace the springs too?
Did you achieve any lowering when you replaced shocks?

I just got my 525ia touring and its a bit loose.
I would like to go to something just a bit tighter than original stock.
But, I used to drive a van and I don't want to sit close to the ground,
I keep my seat as high as I can
and don't want to do the suspension lowering thing.

[Geoff Hoad]

Paul,

My recommendation would be to stick with the M-Tech suspension. It's a well balanced set up for E34's and really is hard to go past. As a keeper, it would be worth the money to get the bits from BMW. Sachs/Boge sell a sports package which is a bit cheaper but the settings are different from all accounts. I definitely would not in your situation consider an upgrade to Koni or Bilstein unless you were going to track the car and as a keeper, that is something would only likely do very rarely. Besdies, with an M-tech suspension you can still have a lot of fun on the track anyway.

One other thing. As your intention is to keep the car I would suggest replacing all the ball joints in the front suspension. I did this at 160,000 kms and it tranmsformed the car. You can progressively but all the bits up then do it in one hit.

Hope this helps.

[Jean@MtMiguel]

Walt; I did use the OE springs, it looks the same though , the difference being is the tires I used, filling up the arches a little bit more, so it looked somewhat lowered in the back but no rubbing on the fender lip. The front looks stock. Also, the guys at a local tire/repair shop noticed the uneven tire wear before I put on the Falkens and the Bilsteins and told me the struts are the cause of the wear, looks like they are right, the car is a happy and I am happy.