120d Shocks

[AvronA]

Hi Guys and Ladies

I have a 2005 120d with 160 000KMS on the clock.
I've always known these cars have a hard ride and I've had the car for 4 years. However the last couple of months I've noticed the ride has become increasingly hard. I drove a friends 1 series the other day and his ride was much softer and smoother than mine.

Could my shocks be done? What else, besides RFT's could cause this hard ride. I dread going over a speed bump faster that 30Kph.

Any ideas?

 

[xcalibur]

Your coil springs maybe?

 

[moranor@axis]

dead shocks will make it bouncy not hard... unless you hitting the bump stops over bumps...

 

[AvronA]

Your coil springs maybe?

I googled that, and as far as I could find coil springs should last way longer than 160 000KMS. Or is there an exception to the rule?

---

dead shocks will make it bouncy not hard... unless you hitting the bump stops over bumps...

Ok thats a relief, cause the dealership parts dept quoted me around R7K for new shocks all round. Thats excluding labour costs.

 

[xcalibur]

Your coil springs maybe?

I googled that, and as far as I could find coil springs should lat way longer than 160 000KMS. Or is there an exception to the rule?

Depends on the abuse I guess. Do you feel a "knock" when driving over speed bumps? The shocks/coils might just need some adjustment.

To factor shocks out, take it to your nearest shock fitment place. They have a machine to test the "bounce back" speed etc. They usually do these tests for free.

 

[AvronA]

Your coil springs maybe?

I googled that, and as far as I could find coil springs should lat way longer than 160 000KMS. Or is there an exception to the rule?

Depends on the abuse I guess. Do you feel a "knock" when driving over speed bumps? The shocks/coils might just need some adjustment.

To factor shocks out, take it to your nearest shock fitment place. They have a machine to test the "bounce back" speed etc. They usually do these tests for free.

Yes I feel a "knock". Not a knock like something is loose, but it feels like I hit the speed bump at high speed even though Im doing 20Kph. I also feel every little bump in the road.

 

[moranor@axis]

7k for 4 shocks? dealer normally charges 20k for that...

If it does turn out to be shocks I have proper options for you...

if shocks are dead then you will feel the bumps more because the springs are not being controlled... also you could be hitting the bump stops on speed bumps causing what you describe...

dont bother with shock testing machine they useless... shocks only last about 100 000km so if they have not been changed under motorplan they are a bit overdue...

 

[Twinz]

I replaced all shocks after 100 000Ks. One of the shocks actually broke in half on my 120d (2005). You can have the shocks & springs tested. I would start with the test. The springs & shocks together determine the ride quality and of course the tyres. The previous generation RFTs are generally hard.

 

[moranor@axis]

very unlightly that the springs are at fault though :rollsmile:

 

[Jarv]

i love a hard ride,thats why mine has eibach pro springs and harder shocks fitted with RFT 225's its awesome!!!
:thumbs:

 

[Gilbert]

20k for shocks on a 120d! OUCH