Marz 888 2008 worth a rebuild?

[exe]

I have two used bikes, each has a Marz 888 RCV and RC3 respectively, circa 2008 (made in late 2007). I don't know their service history or internal conditions, they don't look like they have been maintained well. I also heard 07-08 were the first year they were made in Taiwan and had bad QC. I wanted to bring them to Marz for a rebuild but I am wondering if the cost is worth it. Marz won't tell me the cost over email. How much should I spend max before I say no to a rebuild?

 

[Drunkskunk]

Marzocchi doesn't build a bad fork. But servicing them isn't cheap, and a full rebuild would probably be a few hundred plus maybe another hundred shipping a bulky item. If you can't get them serviced localy, it's probably not worth it since you can buy one in good condition for probably not much more than the cost.

You could instead get something like this:http://www.ebay.com/itm/bike-forks-...l-biking-mountain-bike-mtb-fork-/321802869847
Or this:http://www.ebay.com/itm/MARZOCCHI-B...858?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4197ab99b2
Or even better, this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2015-MARZOC...119?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f4e8007df

 

[nutnspecial]

I'm new to dbl crown forks, but also have an older 888. I got them on a used fr bike costing less than a new fork. Nothing even wrong with the bike- norco shore2, 8" elixir brakes, isis bb, fox, marz, azoniz, sram9, etc. Real strong frame (that is now hanging on the wall- like a pretty picture lol)

I've drooled over the new forks, and I think the question is a good one <rebuild?>
That comes down to the consideration of <are they built like they used to be> and <money>

I'm pretty sure suspension is still evolving in a positive direction- lighter weight& more travel, while retaining or improving strength. So it just comes down to money.

For me, the older 170mm heavy 888's are a great value, and don't see (in my case) any reason to even crack them open yet, much less spend all that money on a brand new set. They're smooth, adust fully, and don't leak.

If I were to rebuild/service, and had an inkling of spending more than 200 for a 'pro' job, I'd be looking on utube and doing it myself. Correct me if I'm wrong, it's usually just seals and fresh oil; and possibly changing a spring or bushing is about the only thing possible to do in addition?
Is there any possibility of that for you exe? Because I would imagine maybe 400$ for the 'pro' rebuild.

Also, how are they acting that makes you think of servicing? Choppy, leaking, loss of rebound adjust?

Something else to think about, for a brand new fork, the dnm usd8 seems pretty nice for only 400. Not sure if I love/hate the inverted design though. Ebay the used marz for 200-400 and buy the new one.

 

[exe]

The forks are both 200mm travel. I am new to MTB forks of any kind, so I didn't adjust anything when I tested them. The RCV was really stiff, didn't absorbed a small 1-2 foot drop well. Just felt stiff. I tested a Marz 66 brand new at a shop and it was plush jumping 1-2 or 4 foot drops. The RC3 I couldn't test much, but the bike it was on is pretty beat and not maintained and there are scratches on the stancions.

I thought a full rebuild would mean more than oil and seal change. Maybe I should do an oil and seal change myself before considering a factory rebuild.

Drunk skunk, thanks for the links. What do you think of the Manitou Dorado Expert, it goes for about $800, invented design.

 

[MadRhino]

A spring loaded 888 can be rebuilt for 75$ in half an hour, if the stanchions are not scratched. I just rebuilt a Monster T that costed short of 50$, oil included. Procedure is easy to find on the web, even videos if you want. Considering that you could sell it for 300$, I believe it is well worth working half an hour on it.