How often to replace shocks and suspension components?

romnation · 12-04-2017, 11:44 AM

I don't see anything in the maintenance guide about how often to replace shocks and suspension components. As the car ages, what should I be looking at and when?

Thanks!

Hops128i · 12-06-2017, 08:50 AM

I replaced mine with b6 bilsteins at ~70k (80% highway miles), but feel I should of done it much sooner because I like the b6s better. I'd say the stock ones are good for maybe 50k, but it really depends on the roads

shawnyeeah · 12-07-2017, 01:09 PM

Most likely a case by case thing, but I would guess around ~100,000 miles. My car is ~72K miles and suspension seems fine, but I am replacing with Bilstein dampers and new suspension components this month.

tracer bullet · 12-08-2017, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yeezy4me

Most likely a case by case thing, but I would guess around ~100,000 miles.

Agreed. There are a lot of variables that are at play and so it's really hard to say a specific schedule for them. For one person it could be 50k miles, another 150k miles.

But if you're looking for a suspension change-up for fun or to fix another issue then it's almost a no-brainer to swap them out if you're already in there.

But I wouldn't put them on a list like you would an oil change.

lowbudgethero · 12-08-2017, 08:23 AM

Mine were pretty shot by 50K, you'll start feeling the car bounce a lot more

1and1 · 12-08-2017, 09:02 AM

Fun thing is that suspension wears sooo sloowwwlllyyyyyy that many folks don't even notice that their bouncy bits have transitioned into worthless doorstops. Sure some folks can tell, but the majority just presume it's right unless there's a catastrophic fail.

Until they get new bouncy bits- and the sudden change from old&crappy to new&proper smacks them upside the head with a carp... Often followed with a comment like "...can't believe I let it get so bad..."

rhop101 · 12-12-2017, 04:08 PM

I just had my front shocks replaced at 135k no idea if there were original since I just bought the car, but they felt alright and then one day poof must have hit a pothole or something :P. Thinking about doing the backs next year at some point.

Overall my bushings seem fine. Though one of the multilinks in the rear is starting to see some cracking.

12-04-2017, 11:44 AM	#1
romnation Private 18 Rep 69 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	How often to replace shocks and suspension components? I don't see anything in the maintenance guide about how often to replace shocks and suspension components. As the car ages, what should I be looking at and when? Thanks!
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12-06-2017, 08:50 AM	#2
Hops128i Captain 71 Rep 675 Posts Drives: 2010 128i, manual, sport pkg Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Silver Spring, Maryland iTrader: (0)	I replaced mine with b6 bilsteins at ~70k (80% highway miles), but feel I should of done it much sooner because I like the b6s better. I'd say the stock ones are good for maybe 50k, but it really depends on the roads __________________ 2010 128i manual, sport package, performance exhaust, Vorshlag camber plates, Bilstein B6 struts/shocks, 245/40/17 ZIII square on et 40 with rolled rear fenders.
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12-07-2017, 01:09 PM	#3
shawnyeeah Private First Class 20 Rep 103 Posts Drives: '12 N55 135i Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (1)	Most likely a case by case thing, but I would guess around ~100,000 miles. My car is ~72K miles and suspension seems fine, but I am replacing with Bilstein dampers and new suspension components this month. __________________ -- MHD Stage 1+ tune, PPK tune, Intake, Air Scoops, Charge Pipe, Intercooler, Exhaust, Shocks, Front Sway Bar --
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12-08-2017, 08:23 AM	#5
lowbudgethero Captain 125 Rep 750 Posts Drives: '98 Z3M (gone), '09 135i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: 908 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 135i [8.50]	Mine were pretty shot by 50K, you'll start feeling the car bounce a lot more
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12-08-2017, 09:02 AM	#6
1and1 Loves me some MHD! 1857 Rep 1,718 Posts Drives: faster than he should... Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Tally, FL iTrader: (2) Garage List '09 135i [10.00]	Fun thing is that suspension wears sooo sloowwwlllyyyyyy that many folks don't even notice that their bouncy bits have transitioned into worthless doorstops. Sure some folks can tell, but the majority just presume it's right unless there's a catastrophic fail. Until they get new bouncy bits- and the sudden change from old&crappy to new&proper smacks them upside the head with a carp... Often followed with a comment like "...can't believe I let it get so bad..." __________________ 1and1 135i - E82.N54 2009 BSM - MHD / xHP / DCI, PR CP & 7.5" Race IC / N55 mid & Borla . . WL RSFI, Koni, Eibach & Dinan CP's, M3 CA's / EBC Red's & Firehawk 500's X1 - E84.N20 2013 MGM - JB4 - The Wife's, now with new turbo & ewg
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12-12-2017, 04:08 PM	#7
rhop101 Enlisted Member 6 Rep 33 Posts Drives: BMW M235i, Honda S2000 AP2 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Queens, NY iTrader: (0)	I just had my front shocks replaced at 135k no idea if there were original since I just bought the car, but they felt alright and then one day poof must have hit a pothole or something :P. Thinking about doing the backs next year at some point. Overall my bushings seem fine. Though one of the multilinks in the rear is starting to see some cracking.
	Appreciate 0 Quote