Regular Konis vs. GC Konis vs. TCKline Konis

[808BMW]

besides tearing out your trunk carpet (if you aren't FUHRAZE and you still have it) is a much bigger PITA than backing up on a set of ramps and undoing 2 bolts. set it and forget it..

I dunno about you, but it takes me about all of 3 seconds to get to my shock towers (carpet is still there but c'mon, it just pulls out).
Also no bolts, no ramps, no dirt, no fuss.

I've never had regular ones though, so it might not be all that hard. I'm just lazy and spoiled.

[Mystikal]

Upon contacting PureMotorsports, I was informed that they are out of stock on Koni Sports for 318is 16v.
They emailed me back saying they would suggest me using Koni Sports for 325i/s which would ". . . provide a stiffer ride."

Do you think that this would be a good idea?

As long as height adjustability is not affected, I'm thinking about buying the 325 shocks.

They are all valved pretty similar. I have the "stiffest" ones, the M-technik/M3 1210-Sports. Still soft.

[royalflush313]

They are all valved pretty similar. I have the "stiffest" ones, the M-technik/M3 1210-Sports. Still soft.

alright thanks.

Now, last question. If I were to buy the 325 shocks from PureMotorsports with the GC coilovers that I got, what will be the height adjutsbality (+/-").

One of the many reasons that Im getting the GCs is because i want to completely fill the fender gaps when I get undersized 205/50/15 tires. I want to make sure that the off the shelf Koni will allow me to do that, and not just the GC/TCKline shortened and revalved shocks.

[Digitalwave]

alright thanks.

Now, last question. If I were to buy the 325 shocks from PureMotorsports with the GC coilovers that I got, what will be the height adjutsbality (+/-").

One of the many reasons that Im getting the GCs is because i want to completely fill the fender gaps when I get undersized 205/50/15 tires. I want to make sure that the off the shelf Koni will allow me to do that, and not just the GC/TCKline shortened and revalved shocks.

I would think your oil pan will be extremely dangerously close to the road with undersized tires, and an insane drop to make up for them.

[Brew]

I would think your oil pan will be extremely dangerously close to the road with undersized tires, and an insane drop to make up for them.

Not only that, he'll be riding on the bumpstops.

[Mystikal]

alright thanks.

Now, last question. If I were to buy the 325 shocks from PureMotorsports with the GC coilovers that I got, what will be the height adjutsbality (+/-").

One of the many reasons that Im getting the GCs is because i want to completely fill the fender gaps when I get undersized 205/50/15 tires. I want to make sure that the off the shelf Koni will allow me to do that, and not just the GC/TCKline shortened and revalved shocks.

A few things here.

Your height adjustability depends completely on the spring length. For example the springs that came with my kit were 5.5" in the rear, meaning that even at the highest setting it lowered my car a solid 1-1.5". At the lowest, I could tuck an entire 65 series tire. Then when I switched to a 7" spring with 10mm pad, at the lowest setting I was about stock. What is the part number on your springs?

I know you want to go undersized, but don't. Tire availability isn't a good reason to go to an incorrect size, especially when there are so many good 205/55/15 tires on the market. A 205/55 also provides more traction.

An off the shelf Koni will provide enough travel to actually hit the top of the fender liner with your tire, I pulled that one a few times at an auto-x (I have no bumpstops...don't ask). Basically even regular SAs have more than enough travel for the front of an E30, don't let anyone convince you otherwise. The limiting factor is still the physical amount of travel provided by the strut assembly, which is quite little compared to other cars. To pull off a car slammed on 205/50 tires and not bottom out excessively you'd need very stiff front rates, like 500lb/in or up. It's just simple math, you need that much spring tension to hold the car up. And I know you got a very soft rate.

[royalflush313]

Mystikal thanks for your help :D

My springs are F6" and R5", 300/500.

Well I contacted TCKline and it was defenetely more money than buying from GC. I'm going to contact GC again to see how long its going to be for their shocks to arrive.
If too long, I think I will settle with the regular Konis.

As for tire size, I will think about it after the suspension. I have a set of BBS RMs going through some fixing up, so it will be another few weeks before I can mount it anyway!

[Digitalwave]

I say do things right the first time and don't settle. If you really want the GC Koni's, just wait it out.

[Mystikal]

Mystikal thanks for your help :D

My springs are F6" and R5", 300/500.

Well I contacted TCKline and it was defenetely more money than buying from GC. I'm going to contact GC again to see how long its going to be for their shocks to arrive.
If too long, I think I will settle with the regular Konis.

As for tire size, I will think about it after the suspension. I have a set of BBS RMs going through some fixing up, so it will be another few weeks before I can mount it anyway!

Get 10mm OEM pads for the rear. You'll thank me later, those springs are short.

[JRKOUPE]

....I had spoken to Koni when making this decision.....GC Konis have their name on the shock body.....I believe they run like 5 % stiffer or so.....I bought em


the top adj ARE worth it if you track car..its nice to dial em down for the ride home...........if it is just a hot street poseur........then dont waste your cash.....

[royalflush313]

Well GC Konis are on its way - along with the GC coils and GC RSMS.

Can't wait to get those in :p

GC konis are more money, but not by much.... and I might as well as do it right the first time, so there are no regrets.

Thanks everyone for their help and suggestions.

Mystikal, what is the stock pad size for the rear? Is it 5mm? If I remember correctly, I took the pads from the front out, but I still have the stock rears in. I plan on re-installing all the pads in, but I will take your suggestion and switch to a 10mm. I assume I can goto the dealership for those, and should be fairly cheap?

[Digitalwave]

Spring pads are around $7 a piece and you need four of them.

[Mystikal]

Yeah typically you have 5 or 6mm ones in there, but they flatten. Buy new 10mm uppers and you're set (there are no lower pads with GC rear adjusters).

[royalflush313]

Yeah typically you have 5 or 6mm ones in there, but they flatten. Buy new 10mm uppers and you're set (there are no lower pads with GC rear adjusters).

Alright thanks. As for the front, should I just run the stock ones top and bottom? I believe they are 3mm.
I looked on the etk and there's actually a 9mm upper pad option for the front too.

I should have everything in 8-10 business days. I can't wait to have everything installed :D

[Mystikal]

Heh. When you look at the GC parts, then look at the strut, you'll know the answer to that.