Original shock absorbers and springs, how long do they last?

C

Carteen

Member
 Stockholm
Hello
What is everyone's experience with original shock absorbers and springs for the Z4 Coupe 3.0Si, i.e. at what mileage did you notice that they were worn out and needed replacing?
 
In my experience, the dampers will be long worn out by the time you start to notice it, as the degradation happens slowly.
Anything over 50k (miles) and I would say it's time for new ones.
Note that they may not show any sign of oil leaks but the gas inside escapes.

Springs are a bit more subjective. Below 75k or so I tend to go on condition. 75k-100k I recommend swapping but would leave them fitted if the owner insisted. Over 100k change them. (All distances quoted are miles)
Of course, they can snap at any mileage and tbh, for what they cost, it is worth fitting new front springs as the strut has to be dismantled for the damper anyway. Rears take 15 minutes to swap each side, so not so essential.
 
Took the fronts of my sons 2004 thats done 44k, passenger side was toast, with absolute no resistance. Drivers side was passable but a fair way behind the new ones by comparision
 
My car is an 08 2.5i with 90k on the clock. Was on the original springs and dampers until last year. No oil leaks on the dampers and passed mots, but very crashy ride. World of difference when I replaced them. Guessing they should have been replaced 4 or 5 years earlier.....or even sooner alot than that.l!
 
I noticed they were gone when I bought both cars, 112k and 128k respectively. Both about ~19 years old and on original shocks (some original springs, but not all.)

All four front shocks were completely gone by that mileage - and original.
 
60k 6-7 years probably before they are past their best.

The sachs shocks in our cars the gas leaks and there is no way to know until you remove. These cars are well known for snapping springs but it's because the struts tend to go first leading to failing springs.
 
For the springs, I think suspension type has an impact here. Had an E46 on m sport suspension.....had 2 sets on springs from new under bmw factory warranty, then another set out if warranty at 4.5 years old. Had an E90 on standard SE suspension for 7 year and 100k.....no broken springs. For the E85 on SE suspension, fairly certain they were the original springs from 18 hrs ago. Were logoed up BMW.
 
They don’t do the bounce test any more on UK MOTs, so as long as they are not leaking or badly rusty then they’ll pass. 40,000 miles tops in my experience.
Springs will generally last forever unless you get a hole in the powder coat, then you’ll get a tiny spec of rust which will cause a weak spot where it will eventually snap.
 
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