New dampers vs. old dampers- Performance?
Discussion
Folks,
I am shortly to change the springs on my M3- A previous muppet owner had cut them and the ride has severely suffered as a result.
I have priced up some replacements, including the option of shock replacement.
Assuming the shocks are not specifically damaged/leaking, is there a massive difference in feel/performance between new shocks and ones which have done 50-100k miles? I am definitely replacing the springs- Is it the shock or spring, or both, which gets baggy over time?
The "new" shocks are not massively expensive but if there is no likely benefit it's not worth doing.
Cheers!
I am shortly to change the springs on my M3- A previous muppet owner had cut them and the ride has severely suffered as a result.
I have priced up some replacements, including the option of shock replacement.
Assuming the shocks are not specifically damaged/leaking, is there a massive difference in feel/performance between new shocks and ones which have done 50-100k miles? I am definitely replacing the springs- Is it the shock or spring, or both, which gets baggy over time?
The "new" shocks are not massively expensive but if there is no likely benefit it's not worth doing.
Cheers!
As dampers age they become less effective without showing any obvious wear from the outside. When they get really bad the car will start bouncing over bumps.
If they've done 50-100k then they are probably on their way out, whether you'll notice or not depends on how hard you drive it.
If they've done 50-100k then they are probably on their way out, whether you'll notice or not depends on how hard you drive it.
I changed my dampers at 150k miles when one of them began leaking after the aluminum had been pierced following 2 years of rubbing from a badly placed fuel filler breather.
I was dissapointed not to experience some sort of night and day difference after I'd done this. I went for brand new OEM M Sport II spec dampers as well and it didnt feel much difference, I was under the impression my dampers would have been shot at 5 years/150k miles as well.
I mean the car never felt anything other than poised before I replaced them but even so..
I was dissapointed not to experience some sort of night and day difference after I'd done this. I went for brand new OEM M Sport II spec dampers as well and it didnt feel much difference, I was under the impression my dampers would have been shot at 5 years/150k miles as well.
I mean the car never felt anything other than poised before I replaced them but even so..
Fox- said:
I changed my dampers at 150k miles when one of them began leaking after the aluminum had been pierced following 2 years of rubbing from a badly placed fuel filler breather.
I was dissapointed not to experience some sort of night and day difference after I'd done this. I went for brand new OEM M Sport II spec dampers as well and it didnt feel much difference, I was under the impression my dampers would have been shot at 5 years/150k miles as well.
I mean the car never felt anything other than poised before I replaced them but even so..
E39?I was dissapointed not to experience some sort of night and day difference after I'd done this. I went for brand new OEM M Sport II spec dampers as well and it didnt feel much difference, I was under the impression my dampers would have been shot at 5 years/150k miles as well.
I mean the car never felt anything other than poised before I replaced them but even so..
If they're not expensive, I'd probably replace the dampers while I had the units off the car if they're that old.
The answer to the question though is that it's impossible to say - some dampers seem to still work flawlessly after 100k miles, some a worn out after 40k. Depends on driving style, damper design and construction, and not a small amount of luck.
The answer to the question though is that it's impossible to say - some dampers seem to still work flawlessly after 100k miles, some a worn out after 40k. Depends on driving style, damper design and construction, and not a small amount of luck.
Recently had new rear gas shocks on my Defender as before it was like driving a leaf sprung, no shocks vehicle.
It was a huge difference and my fillings have now stopped fling out.
The car was on 64k miles at the change but I would guess a Defenders shocks take a bit more pounding than a BMW.
It was a huge difference and my fillings have now stopped fling out.
The car was on 64k miles at the change but I would guess a Defenders shocks take a bit more pounding than a BMW.
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