Koni or Bilstein? Suspension Reference Thread

I am close to ordering my new suspension. I was going to get H&R springs with Koni shocks. However, after doing some research it looks like some people have had problems with Koni.

Do any of you have recommendations or personal experiences of the two shock brands? I would like to order a setup within the next few weeks. Is there any ride height difference?

Thanks!

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Edited by rustybronco - 04-Apr-2008 at 17:20

Koni's are adjustable but if you're not sure what you are doing, you can get them set wrong and have handling and/or ride issues. They are great for tuning your suspension for the track but must be removed from the car to adjust them. For most people that's another variable that is not needed. Bilsteins do not have the adjustment for rebound so they are just plug and play. In my experience, Bilstein uses a slightly higher pressure gas charge than Koni's so they may ride just slightly higher. So if you are looking for the most adjustability and tunability of your suspension for track duty without going to coilovers, get the Koni's. If you don't need or want the adjustability, get Bilsteins. There are also a lot of places that do custom valving on Koni's if you really want more adjustability or to tune out specific problems or issues with your car.

Originally posted by Vincere Koni's are adjustable but if you're not sure what you are doing, you can get them set wrong and have handling and/or ride issues. They are great for tuning your suspension for the track but must be removed from the car to adjust them. For most people that's another variable that is not needed. Bilsteins do not have the adjustment for rebound so they are just plug and play. In my experience, Bilstein uses a slightly higher pressure gas charge than Koni's so they may ride just slightly higher. So if you are looking for the most adjustability and tunability of your suspension for track duty without going to coilovers, get the Koni's. If you don't need or want the adjustability, get Bilsteins. There are also a lot of places that do custom valving on Koni's if you really want more adjustability or to tune out specific problems or issues with your car.

I don't take my car to the track and I don't plan on getting coilovers.

I'd like to do the H&R/Bilstein combo, but I'm not sure if they go as low as I'd like. I found pics from a PW thread and it just doesn't look like it's very low...

(Dubya8's ride):







Could it be a possibility that since they're only 17's it gives the illusion that it's lower than it looks? I have yet to see a W8 on a Koni/H&R kit.

Are you going with a new suspension just for the sake of lowering?
When I replace my springs/dampers it will be because:
A) it's old (6/2002 build, over 45,000 miles) - springs are still good, but they have to come off anyway - so I might as well upgrade for $200+
B) to get a better handling car

It looks like the H&R/Bilstein drops ~1.3" in the front, ~1.1" in the rear.

Which Bilstein p/n's are you looking at?
6508 & 6511?
Some reference 6509 for the rear (sedan), and several sources show those 3 part numbers as being HD or Sport, depending on the website.