[Misc] Shock Absorbers - How long should they last?

[Super Steve Earle]

Here's the thing. I have a 66 plate Peugeot with 42,000 miles on the clock. Out of the blue, it started knocking somewhere around the wheel arch on the drivers side. Diagnosed as an issue with the shock absorber which needed replacing and I should replace the other one at the same time. £505! I've never had to replace a shock absorber in 50 years of motoring and the age of the car and the mileage makes it seem premature to me. I wrote to the Chief Executive of Peugeot to express my point of view and they offered me 50% off, so about £250 for two new shock absorbers from a main dealer . Should I bite their arm off and accept their offer or push for more?

 

[withdeanwombat]

The whole transfer window is my guess.

 

[upthealbion1970]

Unfortunately the state of the roads and many speed humps do wear all suspension components quicker than you’d think .

6 year old car done 42k isn’t that excessive, however be prepared for a call saying that you need droplinks replacing too.

There’s some really good independent garages about that don’t charge main dealer prices. Bear in mind most dealers labour rate is around £100 an hour plus vat

 

[Superphil]

Call into Rapid Auto Centres in Portslade, get a quote from them. Big BHA fan, Gary Stephens, and brilliant service from an independent, more traditional, non corporate garage.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

5 minute absorb

 

[Notters]

I swear every time I hear a story likely this it's a French car, yet they're still incredibly popular.

My sister in law's Peugeot (similar age to yours) had its exhaust fall off on the M1 recently. My sister's had no end of problems with her Renaults.

 

[wunt be druv]

Not very long at all if my Wife is driving!

 

[wellquickwoody]

What was the warranty that came with the car? When the likes of Kia , Hyundaii etc offer a seven year warranty, it makes you wonder why other brands offer far less……..

 

[upthealbion1970]

I swear every time I hear a story likely this it's a French car, yet they're still incredibly popular.

My sister in law's Peugeot (similar age to yours) had its exhaust fall off on the M1 recently. My sister's had no end of problems with her Renaults.

I sell a lot of suspension parts, French stuff does seem popular

 

[boik]

I swear every time I hear a story likely this it's a French car, yet they're still incredibly popular.

My sister in law's Peugeot (similar age to yours) had its exhaust fall off on the M1 recently. My sister's had no end of problems with her Renaults.

And yet our Renault Scenic lasted 10 years with only the usual wear and tear items.

Do French cars use different shock absorbers to the rest of the world maybe.

We imported a Toyota Alphard because various people we knew with VW transporters had a ton of problems, and yet they're supposedly reliable? Luckily the Toyota is superior to a VW in almost every way so we're happy with our choice.

 

[Silverhatch]

Here's the thing. I have a 66 plate Peugeot with 42,000 miles on the clock. Out of the blue, it started knocking somewhere around the wheel arch on the drivers side. Diagnosed as an issue with the shock absorber which needed replacing and I should replace the other one at the same time. £505! I've never had to replace a shock absorber in 50 years of motoring and the age of the car and the mileage makes it seem premature to me. I wrote to the Chief Executive of Peugeot to express my point of view and they offered me 50% off, so about £250 for two new shock absorbers from a main dealer . Should I bite their arm off and accept their offer or push for more?

Peugeot has an issue with shocks. Lots of stuff on Peugeot forums.

 

[Notters]

And yet our Renault Scenic lasted 10 years with only the usual wear and tear items.

Do French cars use different shock absorbers to the rest of the world maybe.

We imported a Toyota Alphard because various people we knew with VW transporters had a ton of problems, and yet they're supposedly reliable? Luckily the Toyota is superior to a VW in almost every way so we're happy with our choice.

You're talking to a Toyota fanboy here.
I've done 250000 miles in a Yaris and Verso, combined and only had to replace brake discs.

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

Peugeot you say?

aka French crap engineering ...

Be lucky to get 15k miles out of suspension components.

 

[rigton70]

I swear every time I hear a story likely this it's a French car, yet they're still incredibly popular.

My sister in law's Peugeot (similar age to yours) had its exhaust fall off on the M1 recently. My sister's had no end of problems with her Renaults.

Yet she continues to buy them. Women eh.

 

[drew]

Get an alternative quote from. It's not hard.

 

[Super Steve Earle]

Get an alternative quote from. It's not hard.

Indeed it isn't. But my question was whether I would be pushing my luck by trying to get a greater contribution than 50% or are Peugeot being generous for the age and mileage.

 

[wellquickwoody]

Indeed it isn't. But my question was whether I would be pushing my luck by trying to get a greater contribution than 50% or are Peugeot being generous for the age and mileage.

Super generous? Definitely not. Generous? Maybe, if it is outside the warranty period. But it would be stupid not to get a quote on middle range aftermarket shocks, you might get better and/or cheaper.

 

[beorhthelm]

unless there's been some new tech in shock absorbers thats pretty outrageous.
that said, with labour for both sides the 50% discount rate isnt terrible. they arent being generous, just charging near fair price.

 

[upthealbion1970]

What Peugeot is it?

 

[boik]

You're talking to a Toyota fanboy here.
I've done 250000 miles in a Yaris and Verso, combined and only had to replace brake discs.

Me too. Impressed with the Alphard so bought a cheap Auris as a runaround. Doesn't alter the fact that our Scenic lasted 10 years without issue as did the Peugeot 306 for 8 years before that.

People love to generalise to fit their argument. One of the many curses of the modern internet. Someone reads a story and then assume that its the same for everyone.