As in the title, are they oil as I think is the case, or are they gas filled shocks as standard. The car has now done 49k miles and am thinking about a shock replacement all round. Nothing fancy, just gas shocks as I think the original ones are a little bit tired. Want to do the shocks at the same time as new wishbone bushes. Might tighten up the handling a bit more with these simple new parts.

Both  not one or the other

Now that's a dilemma, I wonder how I can tell? I was thinking if they are oil, a new set of gas shocks would improve handling to a degree. After all, oil does degrade over time no matter what it is used in. If they are gas and they have not actually failed, would a set of new gas shocks make much difference.

Take a look at aftermarket ones, I'm sure you can probably get better quality/ride than OEM for similar price, that's what I used to find with cars before my current octy and certainly where I'll be looking when they need replacing eventually. Bilstein seem very popular on here, believe they do kits called B12 or B6 or something.

Don't think change shocks at 49k will make much difference especially if you are going for the same as original spec unless there are clear signs of wear. Something like B6 will be an improvement as they are mono tube shocks that offer very quick damping.

Pretty sure originals will be mixture of gas and oil but they will be built to a budget so something like a b6 upgrade will totally transform the handling.

Thanks guys. I have noticed Bilstein B6 shocks have been mentioned a number of times on the forum. Just been on euro car parts website. They do have B6 front shocks, but only list B8 rears. Will B6 front and B8 rear match okay? Quite a price mind to replace with Bilstein shocks all round. Still, you get what you pay for I guess. Will look on other sites to compare prices.

Probably best to get b6 if you are not planning to lower as b8s have shorter piston. Try German eBay for best prices.

Thanks wiilydog, strangely when I saw your post, I had just got off ebay looking at a German site. £397 for a full set. Have tried to get them on the phone, so far no luck. 

I doubt Skoda uses oil/gas dampers. It is usual, cheap, one valve, oil filled solution

 

Get Bilstein B12 > and never look back

Thanks guys. I have noticed Bilstein B6 shocks have been mentioned a number of times on the forum. Just been on euro car parts website. They do have B6 front shocks, but only list B8 rears. Will B6 front and B8 rear match okay? Quite a price mind to replace with Bilstein shocks all round. Still, you get what you pay for I guess. Will look on other sites to compare prices.

not good idea to mix two different dampers.

 

even worst idea to not use spring/damper matched combination. I never understood people replacing dampers and keeping OEM spring with unknown spring rate

Don't worry, I am going for B6 all round. Don't know why I asked that stupid question in the first place. As to keeping original springs, I have read that the B6 are made to work with original springs. Don't think there is anything much wrong with my springs. Only done 49k miles on them.

if the springs are not rusty, broken or sagging it will be fine to reuse them especially when you are not planning to lower

 

don't worry about unmatched spring / damper rates as B6 + stock springs are recommended combo from the bilstein website:

 

 Performance you can feel.

 

If you expect more damping power from your shock absorber – even under loads – but don’t want to opt for an all-out sports model, the BILSTEIN B6 is the ideal solution.

 

The product benefits at a glance:

 

• Marked improvement in safety and sportiness without additional spring changes (lowering)

 

http://www.bilstein.de/en-uk/products/high-performance-shock-absorbers/bilstein-b6/

Edited 4 June, 201610 yr by wiilydog

Thanks wiilydog. Been on that site already, as well as a load of others. Getting reviews, prices etc to help me make up my mind. The cost is a  fair bit of cash, especially if you get it wrong. Just have to fib to the other half saying a shock has started to leak and an all round upgrade would be the best decision!! She already knows I am renewing the front wishbone bushes for the Audi solid ones. Then changing the timing chain tensioner along with new chains just in case in the future it goes bang. Don't want to think about the overall cost though. I think it will all be worth it in the end.

I think you will be impressed, the mono tube shocks work wonders for the car

Hi! I have the similar problems with my Octavia! Noticed that oil spilled out of back shocks , decided to go for the best and bought all four bilstein b8 new shocks ,recieved them today but now I am confused about springs-it is Octavia vrs estate year 2007,do I need to change springs as well because b8s have a shorter piston than b6? 

Hi spainiss2

Not sure about your estate, but I have only just today ordered a full set of Bilstein B8 shocks for my hatchback. I phoned Bilstein direct to get their advice and they stated the B8 would be ideal for the VRS original sport suspension. They mentioned that with the B6 shocks fitted, there is the possibility of damage to the internals of the shock, if you have the misfortune to hit something like a bad pot hole. That is because the longer piston might bottom out when matched with VRS springs. The guy at the company I actually ordered them from said something similar. This sales guy seemed to know what he was talking about as he worked for VW for 8 years before his current job. It might be worth phoning Bilstein and ask their advice to give you peace of mind. Bilsteins number is 01455288412. As you can tell, I have been getting loads of expert advice before parting with my money.

Edited 6 June, 201610 yr by roaddetective

Thank you for information! I will definitely call Bilstein. Also I think I will buy Eibach Pro-kit springs( according Eibach online parts cataloge part number is E10-79-004-04-22 ) which should lower car by 20mm. And to be safe i think I will need all new original dust covers,bolts and strut mounts with bearing plates--will call my local Skoda dealer. Hopefully in two weeks time I will get all parts changed,at the moment ride is awful.