Koni vs. Bilstein sports?

[Bimmerfanatik]

Considering selling my Bilstein sports and getting Konis to help the ride quality, handling, and also to get the adjustability that the Konis come with. Will I see a noticeable increase if I do this, or should I just stick with the Bilsteins?

[IS]

Bilsteins are more consistent and will always outlast the konis. 90% of ppl with koni SAs here do not benefit from their adjustability since it requires a lot of R/D and knowledge. Comments like "I set my konis on full hard in the rear so I don't get as much sag under acceleration" are only the icing on the cake.

What suspension are you running? If you feel the bilsteins aren't properly valved, just get them revlaved by bilstein for under $300.

People who say konis are better than the bilsteins weren't matching valvings with proper spring rates.

[Bimmerfanatik]

Bilsteins are more consistent and will always outlast the konis. 90% of ppl with koni SAs here do not benefit from their adjustability since it requires a lot of R/D and knowledge. Comments like "I set my konis on full hard in the rear so I don't get as much sag under acceleration" are only the icing on the cake.

What suspension are you running? If you feel the bilsteins aren't properly valved, just get them revlaved by bilstein for under $300.

People who say konis are better than the bilsteins weren't matching valvings with proper spring rates.

Wellllll...

I've got an 87 325iC. It's riding on H&R Race springs designed for a coupe. It handles well, but after riding in a 92 318iC with koni's I'm wondering if the konis are a better upgrade. I'm also constantly arguing with the gf about the stiff ride - it'd be nice to soften it up a bit when she's riding with me, and stiff it up when it's just me.

Does that affect the decision ? :)

[wazzu70]

The adjustability in the Konis is for the rebound, not the compression. Most thing people complain about is the higher rates in compression when you hit a speed bump or something, not whether it floats like a boat or not after hitting something. I havent compared standard Bilstien sport rates for compression vs. Koni rates for compression so I cant say whether one is significantly more than the other. I have heard that the konis even at a weak rebound are still a stiffer ride than Billies. Thats just hearsay though until I get my setup in this weekend and I can vouch for sure.

I think the most cost effective solution is getting some billie sports and revalving them like IS mentioned to match your spring rates. You might even want to tell them to go light on the comrpession rate for street use.

[2002maniac]

If you want to sell the bils' shoot me a PM my brother is looking for a used set.

[SFLBIMMERS]

pm sent

[Bimmerfanatik]

The adjustability in the Konis is for the rebound, not the compression. Most thing people complain about is the higher rates in compression when you hit a speed bump or something, not whether it floats like a boat or not after hitting something. I havent compared standard Bilstien sport rates for compression vs. Koni rates for compression so I cant say whether one is significantly more than the other. I have heard that the konis even at a weak rebound are still a stiffer ride than Billies. Thats just hearsay though until I get my setup in this weekend and I can vouch for sure.

I think the most cost effective solution is getting some billie sports and revalving them like IS mentioned to match your spring rates. You might even want to tell them to go light on the comrpession rate for street use.

Maybe I could do that instead. Can I just send them my bilstien sports and tell them I have H&R sports and have them revalved?

[volgapower]

send me the PM as well PLZ... i am willing to buy a pair of used (good condition) front billy sports

[C ///M]

1. Bilstein's do not outlast Koni's. As long as shocks/strut inserts are matched to the springs, they'll last the same.

2. The reason they ride is so rough is because Bilstein sports have a very rough initial compression, whereas the Koni sports have a softer initial compression but have a steeper compression valving curve. Then the bilstein sports have too soft of a rebound which causes you to go bouncing up and down on stiff springs.

3. You can get your bilstein's revalved to match your spring rates, but the initial compression will still be rougher and not ride as well as koni's. What you will notice is they'll stiffen up the rebound so your ride isn't so bouncy with stiff springs.

4. Get Koni's if you can afford it. They're a better shock/strut for your application.

To explain everything I just said, and take note, Bilstein HD and sport have the same exact valving, just different length shock bodies. If you have trouble reading the graph, let me know and I'll explain it:

[SchnellerVert]

Can be debated for years on this. Both are good quality equipment that have differant charteristics.

It's harder to compare a 325ic to a mouse engine 318ic. Lighter so the chassis dynamics will be differant.

[volgapower]

i got one question... are shocks on 318, 320, 325 all the same???

[IS]

1. Bilstein's do not outlast Koni's. As long as shocks/strut inserts are matched to the springs, they'll last the same.

According to? Since no one would actually be able to make a koni SA match the springs just by "feel" and the fact that the compression is fixed, wouldn't it make more sense to get bilsteins custom valved. By your logic, they would outlast the konis, no?

Did you run the shock dynamometer yourself? Cool that your school has one.

You also mention HD and sports have the same valving. How do you know this? The rear shocks have equivalent shock bodies, but different part numbers. I have also heard from word-of-mouth sources that the sports are valved a little stiffer.

[Bimmerfanatik]

Wow, thanks Chris - looks like you know what you're talking about. Been down this road before have you? :)

I'm going to try and buy a set of konis. My next question - are there specific konis for a vert, and do I need GC rears in order to have top adjustable compression?

[SchnellerVert]

Bilstein will tell you that info.

[Tim Flat4]

I've owned Konis before (on my Impreza matched with Prodrive springs) and I have to say that I disliked them. Reason being that I don't like to guess where I stand on compression and rebound based on the number of degrees I rotated the little dial. It feels cheap.