Old Library

Not sure who posted this but here is how the numbers look on our 
end. We sell and install more suspension components than just 
about anyone in the VW tuning business. We sell these brand of 
shocks and springs - Sachs\Boge - Koni -Bilstein - KW- H&R -
Neuspeed - Eibach. 

Sachs/Boge outsell all the other brands and has the same if not 
lower return rates. We have been selling Sachs/Boge shocks for 
over 15 years as well as the other brands. 

We install more Sachs/Boge shocks in VW's than anyone in the 
North America. If we had a high failure rate believe me we would 
not be selling this brand. The cost of labor here in Silicon Valley is 
the highest in the world. There are shops with $100 an hour labor 
rates. Our shop labor rates is $84 an hour and we would not be 
able to afford a product line with a high failure rate.

The problem with many shock failures may be the misuse and mis 
matching of components. Also many people may be describing the 
stock replacement shocks that do fail as well as the original shock 
that are made by Sachs. 

There were also many failures related to misinstallation of the rear 
shocks with a locking ring. The installer and I mean everyone from 
a DIY or a dealer tec have failed to install the spacer with the 
groove down. With the other brands from Koni and Bilstein they did 
not use the OE design (maybe patented??) locking ring/collar. This 
design was OE by VW so I would think it is very well engineered. 
Funny as later VW replacement collars are now machined on both 
sides. Looks like the parts engineers must really work on VWs. 

> 1. People who have run Boge shocks (either variety) for some
> small > amount of time (under 10K) and not had any problem. This
> was maybe > 5-10% max. > > 2. People who have run Boge shocks and
> had them "blow" early in the > life of the shock (like under about
> 25K), all recommended against them. > This was maybe 50% of the
> responses I got, and overlapped the #3 > category: 

> In all, I could not find a significant number of people who had run the
> Boge shocks for any length of time who were very happy with them, and I
> could not find one single complaint about Bilstein.
> 
> I'm thrilled wih my car. It handles like a go-cart (H&R Race / Bilstein
> Sport), it rides better than it did with stock springs & worn shocks,
> the Bilstein parts appear to be WAY higher quality than the Boge stuff
> that was on there stock, etc. A bit pricey, dunno if it's worth it, but
> if you HAVE to get shocks, then worth it to go all the way to Bilstein I
> think.

The problem is the people on this list or net are more serious VW 
drivers. If this was a 16V list survey than for sure as you guys are 
nuts compared to the other list. he he Sorry the truth hurts. 
Anyway need a little humour here. 

So they may be prone to race the cars more and want a stiffer 
more race type suspension. The Boge/Sachs setups will work 
great on the track but you may benefit from a more aggressive 
setup. 
Also with many companies selling Boge/Sachs they may be 
selling mismatched lower quality springs that may contribute to 
shock failure. 

There are more people in general who want a comfortable street 
suspension at a nice low price. Suspension is a very subjective 
subject. If you people with coil/over and race springs took many of 
the other VW owners for a ride they would say you are nuts and 
would hate your suspension. 

To give you an idea of how bias people are against Sachs/Boge 
here is a little story. We delivered our turbo cabrio to James Sly 
and Greg Brown from European car mag. They did not know what 
suspension we had in the Cabrio at this time. Both of them asked 
what suspension is in that car as it feels awesome. They could not 
believe home comfortable it was for being so low and for handling 
so good.

Well it was our Mk3 Progas system and they were surprised. Yes 
it is cheaper than other systems so it can't be as good right? 

There are so many choices in suspension and the best one is the 
one that fits your driving environment. I can tell you there are many 
people who are driving around with 5-8-10 years on their Boge 
shocks. Have a close friend with 220K mountain driven miles on his 
86 Jetta and still original Boge shocks we installed at 10k miles 

Proper matching with a sport spring (not race) and proper 
installation will ensure a long Boge/Sachs life. This is what I have 
seen over the 20+ years of tuning VWs.








Tim Hildabrand
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