Why are Bilstein Sports so ROUGH!?

[jeffnhiscars]

I likey, but as few times as I would use it I can't justify the cost.

I got this one off eBay from a pawn broker. It looked to be new (it still does) and should still be worth what I paid for it.

It's probably over kill and for sure hard to justify the price for non commercial use, but after using the HF tool by hand enough times I swore "never again"

[TrentW]

I likey, but as few times as I would use it I can't justify the cost.

[jeffnhiscars]

[jeffnhiscars]

Hey, what spring compressor is that?

SIR Tools. It's rated for impact wrenches and weighs about 30lbs. It's industrial grade and not much risk of it breaking

[TrentW]

Ps...ups will be dropping mine Wednesday. Time to drag out the spring munchers

Hey, what spring compressor is that?

[six2midnight]

YES! im super excited to see how the hydraulic shocks feel in the rear, instead of the gas shocks of the bils

[jeffnhiscars]

These

[jeffnhiscars]

It's seat of the pants and each of our "seats" is different.

When posting results I'd suggest sharing what body style, springs and dampers you started with, driving style, which Konis you got and how it changed both comfort and handling.

Should be interesting.

....and do let us know if there are any installation tips. Seems to me I've read that there's a bushing that goes in the strut mounts. Not sure though

Ps...ups will be dropping mine Wednesday. Time to drag out the spring munchers

[six2midnight]

I will def share my observations and try to limit them to the topic of this thread, namely the harshness factor. Just keep in mind the set I ordered are not spec for a Cabrio mainly because the Cabrio SA's are not top adjustable and who in their right mind is going to pull a strut, tweak the SOB then get an alignment every time they want to adjust rebound ?

Having said that, dampers are intended to work with specific spring rates (which are of course tied to vehicle weight) and since few of us have stock springs, I think the science of valving to a particular factory spec goes down the toilet and it becomes more seat of the pants....like most things we do with our cars.

Very well put. By changing the geometry of our suspension, we are making the ride pretty much worse, unless youre getting your shocks custom valved to your specific spring rate and weight of car corner balanced.

That being said, I think it will be very beneficial if we post our findings with how the Konis feel. I think the 4-5 of us that just bought the Konis are all running different springs. Should be an interesting experiment. Im going to start working on the car tonight.

[jeffnhiscars]

I will def share my observations and try to limit them to the topic of this thread, namely the harshness factor. Just keep in mind the set I ordered are not spec for a Cabrio mainly because the Cabrio SA's are not top adjustable and who in their right mind is going to pull a strut, tweak the SOB then get an alignment every time they want to adjust rebound ?

Having said that, dampers are intended to work with specific spring rates (which are of course tied to vehicle weight) and since few of us have stock springs, I think the science of valving to a particular factory spec goes down the toilet and it becomes more seat of the pants....like most things we do with our cars.

[Streichholzschächtelchen]

in for comparison^^

[IceWhite]

^ please give feedback.

[jeffnhiscars]

I just broke down and ordered a set of SAs for my Cabrio.

I just hope the Bilstein gods aren't pissed after my 13 years of loyalty.

[z28]

Mine are the same way, I cant wait to raplace them.

[KIRIEIW]

I thought I had blown bilsteins sports after 2 years. Guess it's just how these shocks are. They ride fine on smooth surface but over imperfections my whole dash rattles.

This. Every unevenly paved bump in the road would just echo in the cabin of the car, huge "boom" noise as soon as the front wheels hit it. Not to mention how stiff they where, KONI's are much more forgiving.