Air shock failure rate?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 154
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Air shock failure rate?
In thinking about long term costs, is failure of the air shocks a likelihood in the 7-10 year time frame, or just an expensive price item to repair if it fails? What is typical repair cost out of warranty to replace one or two shocks? Thinking about purchasing a fidelity warranty and seems to carve out the air suspension system, while it is unclear to me if the Porsche safe guard warranty covers. Thanks.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 254
Likes: 30
In thinking about long term costs, is failure of the air shocks a likelihood in the 7-10 year time frame, or just an expensive price item to repair if it fails? What is typical repair cost out of warranty to replace one or two shocks? Thinking about purchasing a fidelity warranty and seems to carve out the air suspension system, while it is unclear to me if the Porsche safe guard warranty covers. Thanks.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 32
Likes: 5
I'd like to know more as well, but I have done quite a bit of research on the Panamera and other Porsche models, as well as other German luxury brands. Some say its pretty reliable and will last a good while before needing replacement, and others say the might've had problems before 50k. The Panamera is quite an expensive model so doing due diligence is wise. Another thing to note that I have read about is that the high pressure fuel pump will typically need replacement around the 50k-75k mark and should be considered a standard wear item. My plan is to budget quite a lot of extra money for long term repairs and maintenance because I wish to keep the car for a very long time to put a lot of miles on.
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2012
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Shocks on any car are wear items. So I expect to replace them but the cost for dealer to service them is crazy. Fortunately I have some mechanical skills and this website has some generous folks that have provided DIY instructions.
Racer
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 353
Likes: 137
From: Atlanta
Plan on the repair. Due to the nature of rubber seals over time, it's almost a certainty that they'll fail. The air spring itself is $1,500 a side (Porsche). The PASM struts are an additional $1,300 a side. Labor is another $1k. There are a few out there with reports of the repair being between $5,000-$7,000 at a dealer. All but the highest tier warranties exclude air suspension parts because they have a near 100% failure rate. It's the nature of the beast.
Banned
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 345
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From: Olympia WA
Originally Posted by Beastmd
I don't think anything is prone to failure on these things but when they do it gets expensive. There are a lot of parts on these things so a lot to go wrong. If cost is a concern find a good indy dealer or learn to fix things yourself. Airbag compressor went out last Thursday and $1300 just for part from dealer and i'd guess another $1000 for repair. Ended up getting used one on Ebay $375 and is quick fix. Used the savings to buy knockoff PIWIS 3
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 213
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From: Santa Cruz Mountains
Having gone through an air shock failure on an Audi A8, and after reading on a variety of forums (Jag, Range Rover, Panamera, etc) one can be assured that they will all eventually fail. The fact of the matter is that most folks move on to newer cars before they fail, but they will fail. And the previous post is correct, very few fail as the result of a blown "bag", it's a set of $2 o-rings that typically go south.
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Racer
Joined: May 2020
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From: Atlanta
https://rennlist.com/forums/panamera...ring-info.html
Rennlist Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 213
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From: Santa Cruz Mountains
Shrike071... great write-up, somehow missed this. Porsche, Audi, Jag, et all tells us to "replace as new", but where there's a will... there's a way. Saving your post as I'm rather certain that some day down the road, I'll be needing it! Cheers