How long do coilovers last?

jimlai322 · 10-24-2007, 04:07 PM

One of my buddies told me that coilovers typically don't last more than 100k miles. Is that true? Anyone have any insights on this?

S4to335 · 10-24-2007, 04:12 PM

Suspension in general doesnt last long. My personal experience with H&R coilovers is that they last about 70-80K. Never got that high with PSS9s...so I dont know how long they will last. the thing that usually goes out is the shocks.

roller84 · 10-24-2007, 06:42 PM

I have about 70k miles on KW V3's on my 330i on NYC streets. I am running it 1/4-3/8" from the max drop and about 75% stiff on the compression and rebound settings. The suspension still feels tight. I can't complain since most say you'd be lucky to get 50k out of the stock suspension.

jimlai322 · 10-24-2007, 07:05 PM

Thanks for the information guys. Man, I was hoping that my coils will last me 100k miles since thats how much I will drive in 3-4 years.

I used to have H&R Cup kit on my last car, and that thing lasted me well over 100k miles, but the ride was rough man.

Anyone else with information on the durability of coilovers?

roller84 · 10-24-2007, 07:18 PM

Forgot to mention that the 330i w/ V3's that I have is an E46.

One thing to note is that the construction of the V3's for the E90 seems to be FAR superior to that of the E46 330i.

acupunch · 10-24-2007, 10:36 PM

can you send these coilover back to the factory for service. I heard Ohlin japan had such service. Will bilstein or KW had such after sales service?

Cis · 10-24-2007, 11:56 PM

kws have lifetime warranty no?

Ray · 10-25-2007, 02:31 AM

As S4to335 mentioned, "Suspension in general doesn't last long." Even a factory suspension system loses it's optimal performance level before 100K miles. A majority of car owners disregard the maintenance (replacement) of a shock, because the deterioration is so gradual and virtually unnoticeable.

A coilover will offer the longest life of any aftermarket spring & shock combination. Since the shock travel is designed to accommodate to a shorter and stiffer spring, most of the pressure is maximized. But just like a high powered motor, performance and longevity rarely go hand-in-hand.

Don Nguyen · 10-26-2007, 02:27 PM

You shouldn't worry about the life of the coilovers, since they should have warrenties on them. If you get KW, you can get it from us, since we are an authorized master dealer for them, and can take warrenty claims for you.

Nothing will really last past 100k miles, so I would just worry about it when the time comes, which should be a long way from now anyways.

-Don

10-24-2007, 04:07 PM	#1
jimlai322 Captain 39 Rep 853 Posts Drives: E60 535i & E90 325i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (4)	How long do coilovers last? One of my buddies told me that coilovers typically don't last more than 100k miles. Is that true? Anyone have any insights on this? __________________ 2008 SG E60 535i 2006 AW E90 325i
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10-24-2007, 04:12 PM	#2
S4to335 Brigadier General 465 Rep 4,380 Posts Drives: 2014 Audi A4 / 91 Track Miata Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i sedan [8.00]	Suspension in general doesnt last long. My personal experience with H&R coilovers is that they last about 70-80K. Never got that high with PSS9s...so I dont know how long they will last. the thing that usually goes out is the shocks. __________________ Car is now gone .... :-(
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10-24-2007, 06:42 PM	#3
roller84 Captain 63 Rep 776 Posts Drives: E90 335i & E60 550i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: NYC iTrader: (3) Garage List 2018 BMW M5 [0.00] 2007 BMW 335i [0.00]	I have about 70k miles on KW V3's on my 330i on NYC streets. I am running it 1/4-3/8" from the max drop and about 75% stiff on the compression and rebound settings. The suspension still feels tight. I can't complain since most say you'd be lucky to get 50k out of the stock suspension. __________________ Pure S2 Turbos \| Vargas Outlets \| RB Inlets \| OEM SS Kit & Performance Steering Wheel\| LCI Rear Conversion \| Euro Xenons \| RD Sport Quad Exhaust \| Spearco Intercooler \| Cobb V3 \| MORR VS7 \| KW V3 \| H&R Sways \| Mtech Bodykit \| Vorsteiner CF Hood, CSL Trunk & Front Lip \| Quaife LSD \| Rotora BBK \| GruppeM Intake \| Forge UK DV \| AR Design Catted DP's
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10-24-2007, 07:05 PM	#4
jimlai322 Captain 39 Rep 853 Posts Drives: E60 535i & E90 325i Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (4)	Thanks for the information guys. Man, I was hoping that my coils will last me 100k miles since thats how much I will drive in 3-4 years. I used to have H&R Cup kit on my last car, and that thing lasted me well over 100k miles, but the ride was rough man. Anyone else with information on the durability of coilovers? __________________ 2008 SG E60 535i 2006 AW E90 325i
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10-24-2007, 07:18 PM	#5
roller84 Captain 63 Rep 776 Posts Drives: E90 335i & E60 550i Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: NYC iTrader: (3) Garage List 2018 BMW M5 [0.00] 2007 BMW 335i [0.00]	Forgot to mention that the 330i w/ V3's that I have is an E46. One thing to note is that the construction of the V3's for the E90 seems to be FAR superior to that of the E46 330i. __________________ Pure S2 Turbos \| Vargas Outlets \| RB Inlets \| OEM SS Kit & Performance Steering Wheel\| LCI Rear Conversion \| Euro Xenons \| RD Sport Quad Exhaust \| Spearco Intercooler \| Cobb V3 \| MORR VS7 \| KW V3 \| H&R Sways \| Mtech Bodykit \| Vorsteiner CF Hood, CSL Trunk & Front Lip \| Quaife LSD \| Rotora BBK \| GruppeM Intake \| Forge UK DV \| AR Design Catted DP's
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10-24-2007, 10:36 PM	#6
acupunch Second Lieutenant 13 Rep 285 Posts Drives: E90 320i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 320i [0.00]	can you send these coilover back to the factory for service. I heard Ohlin japan had such service. Will bilstein or KW had such after sales service? __________________
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10-24-2007, 11:56 PM	#7
Cis Lieutenant 10 Rep 418 Posts Drives: 07 Jet Black 335i Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: OC iTrader: (0)	kws have lifetime warranty no?
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10-25-2007, 02:31 AM	#8
Ray Member 313 Rep 22,825 Posts Drives: three series Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: sfCA iTrader: (0)	As S4to335 mentioned, "Suspension in general doesn't last long." Even a factory suspension system loses it's optimal performance level before 100K miles. A majority of car owners disregard the maintenance (replacement) of a shock, because the deterioration is so gradual and virtually unnoticeable. A coilover will offer the longest life of any aftermarket spring & shock combination. Since the shock travel is designed to accommodate to a shorter and stiffer spring, most of the pressure is maximized. But just like a high powered motor, performance and longevity rarely go hand-in-hand.
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10-26-2007, 02:27 PM	#9
Don Nguyen Banned 72 Rep 1,334 Posts Drives: '99 M3 Vert, '95 M3 Coupe, 964 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (4)	You shouldn't worry about the life of the coilovers, since they should have warrenties on them. If you get KW, you can get it from us, since we are an authorized master dealer for them, and can take warrenty claims for you. Nothing will really last past 100k miles, so I would just worry about it when the time comes, which should be a long way from now anyways. -Don
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