HELP! Advice On Shocks/Springs set Needed. See Pictures. Are These Good? - United Bimmer Community

**delmarco** · 08-24-2005, 12:08 AM

I gotta replace my rear shocks & springs asap/There is way too much noise coming from my rear when i go over bumps in the road and my ride comfort is getting harsher every day!

I don't need anything fancy like bilstens (lack of extra funds)

These are OEM boge shocks for the E36...being offered to me for $100 for the entire set!

They are off a 1997 328i with 38,000 before the owner upgraded to bilstens and lowered...

The pictures of them..are making me curious whether the shocks are still good or not...
what do you'll think?

**Dudesky** · 08-24-2005, 06:44 AM

They look fine. Don't stress over the rough spots on the right shock, that's not abnormal. It's just the result of the plastic cover getting stuck in one position sometimes. When that happens, the dirt buildup doesn't wash off as well during normal usage, causing the discoloration. If both compress at fairly the same tension, and there's no oil leaking out, they should be fine. If they were blown, the piston rod would be sunk into the cartridge and would be hard to pull out. Shocks can last up to 100k, so you probably still have some decent mlieage to go with those.

OEM Boge's will give you the best as far as a cushioned ride and least amount of harshness, but will give you only the factory handling characteristics. If the springs and spring pads weren't part of the deal, I'd tell you to just buy new shocks. However, if you're still unsure about using these used shocks, you can get new ones at AutohausAz for $67 each. What's hard to tell in the pictures is the condition of the rear shock mounts. I don't recommend reusing them, and at the very least, do not reuse the gaskets. Either buy new ones, or make new ones out of cardboard (lots of people do this, including myself), they're pretty easy to trace and cut.

**delmarco** · 08-24-2005, 07:50 AM

thanks....
Dudesky....you should be a moderator for the E36 section...you give the best aid and advice...
thanks again.

**94bmw325i** · 08-24-2005, 09:40 AM

Are those non-sport package springs?

**jrhaile** · 08-24-2005, 11:24 AM

I personally wouldn't spend the money on used suspension. Granted those look okay, but who knows. I'd look into a better alternative like UUC/Sachs suspension set like I have. For 700 bones you get your ride lowered a bit, brand new springs and shocks. I understand money is an issue, but I would wait until I could afford something more. You never know with used suspension man.

**Dudesky** · 08-24-2005, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delmarco

thanks....
Dudesky....you should be a moderator for the E36 section...you give the best aid and advice...

Ehh . . sometimes I get stuff right, and I think there are others far more deserving. And I've been known to have a temper at times

**delmarco** · 08-24-2005, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudesky_E36

Ehh . . sometimes I get stuff right, and I think there are others far more deserving. And I've been known to have a temper at times

lol...
me too