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.