Fix strut or wait a few years?

[steved0x]

In my opinion not critical ASAP to replace the struts, if they are going out they may not dampen the springs as effectively, so you may notice a little more bouncy ride and you may be getting onto the bump stops more (if you even have any left at this point, they crumble away with age). However you should be OK, I did a lot of track driving on my shot struts starting at around 115,000 miles with only shreds of bump stops left and it was OK. I could sure tell a difference once I got it all replaced though I did all the work myself so it was only parts cost, for me it was around $1000'ish for 4 new Koni FSD dampers, new bump stops, and new strut top mounts in the front. I kept my backs as they looked very good with no cracking and so forth that I could easily see in the fronts.

In my opinion at $3400 to replace the struts, the price is wrong. Even refreshing all the rubber bits (bump stop around $10 each and front strut top mount, around $35 each, backs were more) and the strut itself ($250'ish for Bilsteins although there now appear to be some budget replacements), $3,400 is way too much in my opinion.

Brakes at $1,000 is way too much too, you can get 4 OEM style Meyle rotors for an S model for around $200'ish, OEM style brake pads for <$100, and replacing it all is only 1-2 hours for all 4 corners. Base rotors may be even less.

Struts is a tough job for a first time DIY, but brakes is an ideal first time DIY project.

Are these full dealer prices at a Porsche dealership? Maybe you could find a trusted indy shop that does Porsche, should come to much less than the prices you are quoted above.

[thstone]

Originally Posted by steved0x

In my opinion not critical ASAP to replace the struts, if they are going out they may not dampen the springs as effectively, so you may notice a little more bouncy ride and you may be getting onto the bump stops more (if you even have any left at this point, they crumble away with age). However you should be OK, I did a lot of track driving on my shot struts starting at around 115,000 miles with only shreds of bump stops left and it was OK. I could sure tell a difference once I got it all replaced though I did all the work myself so it was only parts cost, for me it was around $1000'ish for 4 new Koni FSD dampers, new bump stops, and new strut top mounts in the front. I kept my backs as they looked very good with no cracking and so forth that I could easily see in the fronts.

In my opinion at $3400 to replace the struts, the price is wrong. Even refreshing all the rubber bits (bump stop around $10 each and front strut top mount, around $35 each, backs were more) and the strut itself ($250'ish for Bilsteins although there now appear to be some budget replacements), $3,400 is way too much in my opinion.

Brakes at $1,000 is way too much too, you can get 4 OEM style Meyle rotors for an S model for around $200'ish, OEM style brake pads for <$100, and replacing it all is only 1-2 hours for all 4 corners. Base rotors may be even less.

Struts is a tough job for a first time DIY, but brakes is an ideal first time DIY project.

Are these full dealer prices at a Porsche dealership? Maybe you could find a trusted indy shop that does Porsche, should come to much less than the prices you are quoted above.

^^^ Everything Steve said. ^^^

[nicecar]

In my world brakes and tires are everything so I dont delay. Just had front stuts replaced at 120k miles....BIG difference in handling but I had many more miles. Basically the whole front suspension has been replaced since 88k but I think I should have started with the struts.But as time goes by I am wrong more often than not.

[bwdz]

So 3400 for struts and 1000 for brakes??? Run, don't walk but run away from this shop. For that money I will fly to you with tools and do it for half including upgraded parts. Even with a basic jack in your driveway this would only take a few hours. I can't bring an alignment rack with me so will have to pay someone the $69.95 for the 4 wheel alignment.
On a serious note: if your brakes are low then replace them. It takes no time at all and can be done with a basic tool kit or go to an independent shop and bring them the parts, they should charge around 1 hour labor for the front and 1 hour for the rear so about $200.
Struts, if they are not too bouncy and bottoming out you can wait to do them. They don't take long to do either so probably 3-4 hours labor total and you can search the internet and see how little the parts cost.
If you came to my house and I could use my hoist I could have the struts and brakes down in around 3 hours all together with air tools but shops will charge whatever the listed time is and it is probably listed at longer than it actually takes but not anywhere near the prices you were quoted.

[Fyeganeh]

Thanks for the replies. The quote for the brakes includes front and rear pads and discs which I'm assuming is OEM parts. They are saying that they are wearing out and should trip the sensor in the next couple thousand miles or less. I have had the front pads replaced once before.

I know you guys are saying the price is high and I checked PelicanParts and the OEM price comes I believe to about 720 for parts. I may have to check again but if that is the price of OEM and that is what they are using, then it's not too off base - or am I missing something? Are you guys saying don't use OEM in which case I could see the price being a lot less. Also I may try to do it myself as you guys are saying it's pretty easy to do the brakes - I remember the pads were super easy the first time - I watched the guy do it, but the discs are likely more involved.

By the sounds of it, I can wait on the struts and need to find a much lower price. How much should it cost and how long to wait? Again is part of the cost difference OEM vs third parties?