1. The roads in my area of Massachusetts are rough. I have never
autocrossed the car.
2. I used Neuspeed Softsport springs when I originally installed the
Boges, and left them when I switched to the Bilsteins.
3. HD and Sport Bilstein have the same valving. The Boges are softer
than either. The thing is they handle small bumps fine, but bigger dips
at higher speeds cause the shocks to feel totally out of their league.
I don't think Boge did their homework for the VR6 cars. It may also be that even a mild lowering spring trashes them. The ProGas shocks are an even worse choice for lowering springs, you end up riding in the "stiff" zone all the time.
I would remove the Boges and sell them. The difference in handling between the Boges and Bilsteins was dramatic. The car now rides much better as it isn't bouncing all over the place from being underdamped. Shine Racing told me a while ago not to bother with Boges on VR6 cars but I didn't listen as I have used them many times before on other VW's with success. Now I know better.
FlyinVR6 wrote:
Hey,Three questions....(1) What conditions led up to the deterioration of your BOGE's? (I just put on the TurboGas a month ago with HOR's) Was it harsh driving, horrible road conditions, or you found that the shock flat-out stinks? (2) Which Bilstein shock most closely resembles the TurboGas? The HD's or the Sports? (3) Which springs did you use with the BOGE's, and are you going to use the same with the Bilsteins or change them?Later,-FlyinVR6
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http://members.aol.com/qwikvr6/index.html-----Original Message-----I removed the Boge TurboGas shocks from my GLX last Sat. They were on the car 1 year before they turned into sponges, completely unable to dampen the car anymore. They didn't physically blow out, and weren't leaking oil, but pushing them down by hand resulted in almost no resistance. Your results may vary, but I don't recommend using Boge TurboGas on VR6 Volkswagens. They don't last. I replaced with Bilstein. I had Bilstein originally but the wrong models were installed (typical), then tried the Boges. Initially they worked OK, but gradually the front end started bouncing up and down on dips on the highway, and progressively got worse.
From: owner-jettaglx@igtc.com [mailto:owner-jettaglx@igtc.com]On Behalf Of John Hamill
Sent: Tuesday, September 29, 1998 7:08 AM
To: jettaglx@igtc.com
Subject: Boge TurboGas - crap
I did some homework on Bilstein before installing them again. Here's Bilsteins list of available shocks. Note that when you order these from the usual clowns they send you V36-4024's or 4023's. Most of the shops don't know the differences between any of these. The valving is the same on all. The shock tubes are shorter on the Sports. Also of note is that the 96-97 shocks have a 3/4" lower front spring perch. Also of note is that most lowering springs when combined with these shocks lower a Golf or Jetta too much! I originally had the 4024's in the front and the car rode like shit, too bouncy and the oil pan got dented! I recommend to anyone using the non-Neuspeed Bilsteins to use the VN3-4172's on the front for ANY year Golf or Jetta III VR6 if you have lowering springs, as they are the only ones that work correctly with almost all the lowering springs sold in the States. Many shops have never even heard of this part number. Tell them it's what you want, Bilstein America stocks them. If you aren't using lowering springs, but using stock springs, then I would use the 4023's as you will lower the front only a little (96 and up have the lower perch height anyway).
If you order Neuspeed Bilstein, they did their homework. The perch heights are correct, and Aaron actually does stiffen the Sport valving a bit more. They also come with a sticker so you know they're from Neuspeed.
Shocks for VOLKSWAGON - Golf III/Jetta III VR6 (from the Bilstein site)
Year Front Rear Comments 93-95 Sport VN3-4172 B36-1529 The one to use! 96-97 Sport V36-4024 B36-1529 Drops front too low (3/4")! 96-97 HD V36-4023 B36-1524 Ditto! Same valving, longer tube hope this helps anyone contemplating Boge, John
--
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John Hamill
Incert Software Inc.
Senior Sales Engineer 201 Broadway
jhamill@incert.com Cambridge,
MA 02142
ph:617-621-8080 x105 http://www.incert.com/
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