55 plate elegance 137k miles now.

Car does not feel as smooth, garage is saying all the suspensions bars are fine. I mainly drive motorways. However, the shocks have never been replaced, do I need to change them.

Do you recommend genuine shocks or is there any after market brands you could recommend me.

Shall I replace the front or do you recommend changing all 4?

Thanks all

I'm just now in the process of changing all 4 shocks plus front springs after one of my front springs broke.

So far very happy with the front Bilstein springs (standard ride height) and Bilstein B6 shocks (mono tubes - very good quality) - I'm sure v6diesel will be adding some very good praise soon!

If you go to this site you can pull out the correct part numbers, then google those part numbers to find them - I paid just over £100 a corner for shocks and front springs were only £33 each. This is less than what Skoda charge for some lower quality items.

Fid part numbers from here:

http://web1.carparts-cat.com/default.aspx?11=18&14=4&10=C20B3EF4344A339CE040A8C00A3E1C33018004&12=102&52=1&30=106&31=4837

Then enter your part numbers into here:

http://www.google.co.uk/shopping?hl=en&tab=wf

I found them cheapest from 123spareparts.co.uk.

Voila!

If you do decide to go for B6 shocks, your part number is going to be 24-065122 for the front, and 24-065429 for the rears.

Springs will depend on the engine size (weight dependent), so please check the catalogue.

Very expensive, 450 parts and 100 quid fitting for a full set.

I would like to do the front springs and shocks, 250 parts and 40 quid fitting.

Is it worth spending the money, will I notice any difference?

I noticed the difference. A lot less wallowy.

You can't put a price to that reduced wallowiness, depends really on your priorities and how long you intend to keep the car for. It's not a super car, but if you want to improve the handling a bit without affecting comfort, this is a way to do it.

Don't forget those aftermarket shocks can be removed, and originals reinstalled when you decide to sell. The used Bilsteins will still fetch good money.

And this is the thing: OEM shocks actually sell for more. I think at your mileage they have done their job - still legal I suppose as they have not spilled their oily guts over the highway, but way past the use-by date.

B6 Sports, forum search for dieselv6 and Bilstein

Factory shocks can wear out as early as 15k-45k miles in intensive use, mine were noticeably loose and got replaced after 15k on both Octavia and Superb, so yours are long overdue.My Bilsteins have ~90k on them, no signs of wear other than some paint damage around bottom mounting bolt, I sprayed some zinc there.