Hi All,

Just had variable service/MOT done on my (exactly 4 year old) 2010 reg. 2.0TDI CR SE Octavia saloon.

Owned since a few months old and it's on variable servicing - been a very reliable car.

However, the latest MOT brought up advisories on both front shock absorbers (misting/leaking).

Interestingly, the OSF shock absorber had already been replaced under warranty on 25.04.13.

The car has covered 63,400 miles - more the 50% of which on motorway.

Shouldn't these shocks last longer than this?

Anyone got any advice please?

Thanks,

Dealerships are known to give advisories when, clearly, what they really want is more business

I would take it to an independent and get them checked before you do anything

Mine have had a "light misting of oil" as an mot advisory for the last 4 years. Has passed each time and VAG Indy says they're fine.

The OE shocks are not great TBH, much better swapping them for a set of Bilsteins, which will go on for 100K + miles

 

The OE (Koni’s) had ‘loosened’ up on my Superb estate after about 30K miles

They aren't massively expensive and give for a better ride so swap them out

Yeah, get it checked somewhere outside ..

And second thing, you would feel it when you are driving if something is wrong or not..

 

And Like most of the experts says, if its a minor leakage.. then its completly okay..

So, what you can do yourself is.. clean it up well.. and then monitor it everyday to see, if the leakage continues or not? .. if it does.. then I think its time to get a new one..

 

The best way is to analyze it yourself mate..

Thanks all, lots of good advice and I will do some ongoing checks and seek out a trusted 2nd opinion.

If anyone has a specific recommendation for replacement shocks (spec., size, part no's?), it would be much appreciated.

Anyone else with thoughts, please reply......

I wouldn't mind investing in better Shocks for my 05 plate Elegance. How much are we talking, as sounds like a wise investment, especially if it prevents the alignment being knocked out of tolerance every 6-12 months

I wouldn't mind investing in better Shocks for my 05 plate Elegance. How much are we talking, as sounds like a wise investment, especially if it prevents the alignment being knocked out of tolerance every 6-12 months

I got a full set of Bilstein B4 sport dampers for £200 delivered. Very nice shocks!

Link?

I got a full set of Bilstein B4 sport dampers for £200 delivered. Very nice shocks!

Where did you get this price as I am looking to get some and that's cheap!!!!

Company called Performance3000 on eBay.

Bilstein B4 are not sport dampers, they are more like good quality but stock handling shocks.

 

B6 and B8 are sport dampers, there are significant differences in internals as well as durability. B4s are decent replacements for factory shocks though, just do not expect them to radically improve handling.

 

I use B6s in my Superb, transformed the car, and very durable at 120k+ miles compared to stock 15k-20k. I'll put a full set of B6s onto my Roomster at earliest possibility, likely in spring/summer.

B4 Sport dampers are the shorter version of the B4 shock for lowered cars.

The "sport" prefix was likely added by seller, Bilstein names are B4, B6 Sport, and B8 Sprint. B4s may fit cars with sport suspension though. But as I had stated, B4's performance envelope and durability is not as good as B6 Sport/B8 Sprint ones, which is also reflected in price.

 

Specifically for Mk2 Octavia, the B4s are twin-tube shock absorbers, good quality but pretty standard, while B6/B8s are excellent monotube shock absorbers. I can assure you the difference in handling is very noticeable, especially on hilly/twisty countryside roads.

Edited 6 October, 201411 yr by dieselV6

As far as I am aware "sport" was added by bilstein...

No it was not.

 

By the way, 'Ersatzteil' means factory shock equivalent.

 

If in doubt, always refer to katalog.bilstein.de

Edited 6 October, 201411 yr by dieselV6

No it was not.

By the way, 'Ersatzteil' means factory shock equivalent.

If in doubt, always refer to katalog.bilstein.de

Oooh... Blue writing!

I stand corrected

But there are 2 different versions. 1 for cars with "sport" suspension. So like B4 "sport" damper?

No it was not.

By the way, 'Ersatzteil' means factory shock equivalent.

If in doubt, always refer to katalog.bilstein.de

Though they two versions of the B4, one for the "standard chassis" and one for "sports suspension", and two different diameters for each one

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Think the b4 sport refers to stiffer valuing rather being any shorter

The key point to remember is that B4 are of same type as factory shocks (twin tube), while B6 Sports are of monotube design and much better in every aspect bar the price. Hence any use of "sport" around B4 name other than "for models with sport suspension" is misleading potential customers IMHO.

The key point to remember is that B4 are of same type as factory shocks (twin tube), while B6 Sports are of monotube design and much better in every aspect bar the price. Hence any use of "sport" around B4 name other than "for models with sport suspension" is misleading potential customers IMHO.

True. They feel much better than stock and work really well with my h&r 50mm springs!

I'm looking to swap my oem shocks on my MkIII Eleg, looking for comfort over handling, its got standard springs and 18" wheels so would the B4s do the job and improve comfort or is there a better option for improved damping, cos the stock dampers are pants!

I know its irrelevent to the topic, but "Ersatzteil" means spare part.  If it was prefixed by "Serie" then it would mean standard spare part, or OEM part or OEM equivalent.

 

- Just in case anyone is of need of bits in Germany/Austria or anywhere else that German is the first language.

Front end of my Octy II TDI estate has always been relatively poor over lateral "sleeping policemen", especially at the local recycling centre where the undershield would hit the top of the hump if I was not very careful! I also noticed that it is much better if I cross them slightly diagonally, so that the front ARB helps out, and so I think the front springs are too soft!

 

However, it has recently become increasingly uncomfortable (and noisy) over poor road surface repairs (as if there is very little suspension travel left, and it's hitting the bumpstops) and I think I now need to get the shocks & springs (which I think are too soft) changed.

(on the previous Golf IV TDI estate I had the front springs changed to after-market versions of those fitted to the early 2000's A3 TDI Quattros with Koni Red shocks, and that combo was a lot better)

 

One of the Bilstein shocker types mentioned above sound suitable - but what about the right springs, preferably standard height?

NB: car runs on 16" wheels, not 17" or larger, and a comfortable ride is somewhat more important than totally-sharp handling as we are likely to be doing a lot of long distance touring over the next few years because I will probably be finally retiring in a  few months!

 

Thanks in advance.

 

John

Edited 8 February, 201511 yr by jeallen01