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Koni or Bilstein? Suspension Reference Thread |
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SirRangeALot ![]() Moderator ![]() ![]() Joined: 09-Dec-2006 Location: Dubuque, Iowa Online Status: Offline Posts: 2373 |
![]() ![]() ![]() Posted: 04-Apr-2008 at 10:11 |
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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doubleu8 ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 05-May-2007 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 210 |
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Bilstein
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rustybronco ![]() Super Poster ![]() ![]() Joined: 23-Apr-2007 Location: Portland, OR Online Status: Offline Posts: 596 |
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^^^^---
![]() Edited by rustybronco - 04-Apr-2008 at 17:20 |
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BlueSteW8 ![]() Super Poster ![]() Joined: 08-Dec-2006 Location: SW-FL, US Online Status: Offline Posts: 906 |
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Any brand of shock can have premature failure - I'll be going H&R w/ Bilsteins in the not too distant future, and will slap on the 17MM 1BE rear sway bar while I'm at it.
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2003 W8 Tip Limousine - locked in sports mode
GIAC pump/stock/ race files Blue Spirit/ Black |
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Vincere ![]() Senior Member ![]() Joined: 26-Feb-2007 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 115 |
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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.
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2003 W8 Tip Wagon
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R32Viper ![]() Super Poster ![]() ![]() Joined: 06-Apr-2007 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 947 |
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You got it, Bilstain shock absorbers according to my magazine European Car they are the makers of the one that Buggatti uses. They may be a little more expensive it might be worth it. Anybody here have purchase them for the W8 lets us know I would like to buy a set when my wears out. |
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SirRangeALot ![]() Moderator ![]() ![]() Joined: 09-Dec-2006 Location: Dubuque, Iowa Online Status: Offline Posts: 2373 |
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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. |
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SirRangeALot ![]() Moderator ![]() ![]() Joined: 09-Dec-2006 Location: Dubuque, Iowa Online Status: Offline Posts: 2373 |
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I forgot to post the link to the thread: http://www.passatworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=224617
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BlueSteW8 ![]() Super Poster ![]() Joined: 08-Dec-2006 Location: SW-FL, US Online Status: Offline Posts: 906 |
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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. |
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2003 W8 Tip Limousine - locked in sports mode
GIAC pump/stock/ race files Blue Spirit/ Black |
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SirRangeALot ![]() Moderator ![]() ![]() Joined: 09-Dec-2006 Location: Dubuque, Iowa Online Status: Offline Posts: 2373 |
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Well, not just for the sake of lowering. My car does need new suspension (almost 77k miles), but if I'm going to lower it, I'd like it a tad lower than what's in the pictures above. Of course, I think he took those pictures right after the installation so I don't think it completely "settled" yet. So which part numbers for the Bilstein? BE5-6508 (Fronts) & BE5-6511 (Rears)? Are there other options for the Bilsteins? |
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