byrdman454

I have an '88 S4 with the stock Boge shocks. It has about 85,000 miles on it and it is a daily driver. What is the average life of these shocks? How many miles can I expect? I was thinking of doing a replacement but do not want to waste my time or money if these shocks normally last well over 100,000 miles. They do look pretty corroded and have rust spots on them.

Thanks

Green Goblin

Mine are 21 years new. If I were to start autoxing I would upgrade to a Performace system.
It is amazing how good my car rides with the original shocks. I would only do the change if you are
not happy with the handling of you car.



Andy 83 Euro

Jim bailey - 928 International

about 16 years or 84,000 miles ........ If the ride quality is acceptable to you then your shocks are fine. If you want it to handle drive more like it did when new your shocks are rather old . Which I believe is one reason when people put on new shocks ,any flavor new shocks, they find the car has a firmer ride and some people LIKED the floaty soft feel of an older Buick. Porsche used good quality shocks but they do not last forever.

borland

One of the adverse consequences of driving on worn, leaking, or depressurized shocks is suspension bottoming out on dips and bumps.

The ride quality might feel fine, but this can also lead to increased stress to the suspension components and also undercarriage damage.

Stopping distance and cornering handling can be improved with new shocks.

Thaddeus

I replaced the Boges on my 86 with 105000 miles. The shocks that came out still worked; there was no malfunction... but the Konis that went in at 1/2 firm setting made (to my mind, at least) a dramatic improvement. The car is flat through twisties and hard cornering. I don't think the ride is harsh, either. I haven't found the limit of adhesion yet with the new shocks on, because I run out of guts before the car runs out of grip. With the Boges, I was getting oversteer at lower speeds.

Be warned: the job is hard. I did not enjoy the replacement process one bit.

Jim R.

I replaced my 15 year old shocks and springs (52000 miles)with new bilstein/eibachs. It drives like a different car and is not harsh at all. Handling is vastly improved-it is a very good upgrade.

Jim R.

Jim bailey - 928 International

Borland is of course correct ,when compression is too weak or the gas pressure has leaked out the front end in particular can tend to bottom out much easier , ride too low unless adjusted higher. The soft ride is at the expense of handling. The cost of the labor and the parts does tend to make replacement a much bigger decision than on some lesser cars.

Nicole

On my first and on my current 928 I've had the shocks replaced at about 70k miles. The difference was VERY noticeable. On the '91, ride and handling made another huge leap forward when I had DEVEK adjust the ride height back to factory specs and perform a 4-wheel alignment.

Bill Ball

I wish I had left the original sport shocks on my 89 S4 alone. The car handled fine in the twisties, never bottomed and cornered very flat, even with 95K miles on the shocks. Swapped in some new Konis and have been fighting to get them close to the old shocks - they bottom easily, the car leans over in turns and I get nowhere near the old handling in the twisties. People who have ridden in my car before and after (like Nicole) on the Sharks in the Park funride can verify it.

Cameron

My story again.

When I replaced the 12 year old, 80000 mile shocks (at that time) on my '91 GT, I noticed a big difference in handling. Exactly as stated, understeer was reduced significantly. I did put Club Sport front springs at the same time which are about 10% stiffer than stock. I put new Boges back in. I cannot say how much the new shocks alone contributed. I have now added the poly sway bar bushings which probably stiffen up the front a tad bit more. I am very pleased with the compromise of daily street use and good balance and fun on track day.

.....Cameron
'91 Euro GT