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From digest.v7.n696 Tue Dec 2 22:40:35 1997
From: Lowell Seaton <SEATON.LOWELL_at_epamail.epa.gov>
Date: Tue, 02 Dec 1997 19:02:52 -0500
Subject: Life of BMW Shocks - The Answer

In the spirit of the new BMW Digest <wink>, I'll post a reply back to the Digest with the answer to my question. I posted a question a couple of days ago asking how long the original shocks on my BMW should last. I got 7 very prompt replies. Thanks to all.

Everybody said the original shocks should last at least 70,000 miles; probably closer to 130,000 miles. Several guys had 130k-140k miles on their shocks. One guy had 180k miles on the original shocks in his '88 325iS. And one BMW mechanic had seen original shocks with up to 600,000 miles on them. Wow! However, one reply said one of his original shocks failed after only 25,000 miles.

I learned that BMW uses at least 3 grades/brands of shocks, i.e. BOGE conventional shocks, BOGE gas shocks, and BILSTEIN gas shocks depending on the price of the car and suspension. The gas shocks are used on the sport suspension and more expensive models and tended to last longer. Hope this helps y'all.

P.S. I was mistaken in my earlier post about the length of the warranty. I am now looking at my 1995 3 Series Warranty book so I think I can get it right this time. The vehicle warranty is 4 years/50,000 miles. The rust perforation warranty is 6 years/unlimited miles. There are also various length warranties for the emission control devices depending on if you live in Calif/Mass or not. In Texas, the catalytic converter is warranted for 8 years/80,000 miles and the rest of the exhaust system is warranted for 2 years/24,000 miles. The battery is also warranted for 2 years/50,000 miles. These warranty periods may vary for other models and years of production.

Lowell Seaton
'95 M3
BMW CCA #131505

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