installed Monroe OESpectrum shocks/struts - wow!

[bcredliner]

Thanks for the review, very helpful.

[z168]

I always assumed shocks are replaced between 5-6 years.

what is covered by the lifetime warranty of the shocks? does that mean it will never go bad?

[bcredliner]

More miles than years related. I replaced mine at 80,000 miles. They were not as good as new but were ok. I was upgrading the suspension. It was not mandatory.

[jgold47]

I am seeing prices all over the place for those monroe spectrums. Also found some places with the OE sachs shocks CHEAPER than the Monroes. I think I might swap out my rears. I hate doing things half and half, but the rear end is bouncing all over the place.

[mferek]

@chrispitude

I just bought a 2003 3.0i X5 with 128k miles a week ago, and my suspension will need some attention in the near future. I have some sweet clunking sounds when going over bumps, and your review has encouraged me to seriously consider the Monroe shocks/struts.

When I got my car, the previous owner still had the window sticker, so I have a good idea of what options my car has. One of the line items was a sport suspension. Do you know if this is a standard option or if it's some sort of upgrade? If it's an upgrade, i'm not sure the Monroe shocks/struts will have the same characteristics as my current setup, but if it's standard, I presume they would be the same. The only differentiation in suspension parts I've seen is between auto-leveling suspensions and non-auto-leveling suspensions, so I'm inclined to think that sport suspension is standard.

If anyone has some insight on my issue, I would love to hear it!

[chrispitude]

Originally Posted by z168

I always assumed shocks are replaced between 5-6 years.

what is covered by the lifetime warranty of the shocks? does that mean it will never go bad?

They'll go bad, of course, but they'll be replaced. Wear-out is explicitly mentioned in their warranty. See:

MONROE SHOCKS & STRUTS :: Safe & Sound Guarantee

Originally Posted by jgold47

I am seeing prices all over the place for those monroe spectrums. Also found some places with the OE sachs shocks CHEAPER than the Monroes. I think I might swap out my rears. I hate doing things half and half, but the rear end is bouncing all over the place.

Did you check RockAuto.com for prices? (Don't forget about the 5% discount!)

I see mentions on the web that Sachs has a lifetime warranty too, but I can't find the actual warranty text itself anywhere. That might be another good avenue to explore.

Originally Posted by mferek

I just bought a 2003 3.0i X5 with 128k miles a week ago, and my suspension will need some attention in the near future. I have some sweet clunking sounds when going over bumps, and your review has encouraged me to seriously consider the Monroe shocks/struts.

When I got my car, the previous owner still had the window sticker, so I have a good idea of what options my car has. One of the line items was a sport suspension. Do you know if this is a standard option or if it's some sort of upgrade? If it's an upgrade, i'm not sure the Monroe shocks/struts will have the same characteristics as my current setup, but if it's standard, I presume they would be the same. The only differentiation in suspension parts I've seen is between auto-leveling suspensions and non-auto-leveling suspensions, so I'm inclined to think that sport suspension is standard.

If anyone has some insight on my issue, I would love to hear it!

We bought our 2003 used. My wife is at work right now but when she comes home, I'll check to see if they included the window sticker in the glovebox. Or, perhaps some other folks more knowledgeable in X5 options could help.

[bcredliner]

The following will help you compare prices: Furiousmethod.com - BMW Parts Price Comparison

[admranger]

So the black Bilstein 22-119261 and 22-119278 (for std or sport suspension) shocks are 'abrupt' or 'harsh'? Is it that they are valved too stiff on compression (my experience on my old E34, but that was back in the 1990's)?

I'll be interested to hear the OP's opinion on the Monroe shocks after 10k miles or so.

[swissfrank]

thanks for the review