Koni vs. Bilstein sports?

[2002maniac]

pm sent

back off biatch. I called dibs.

[Bimmerfanatik]

back off biatch. I called dibs.

Dibs on what man?? Armando sent me a PM with very extensive and detailed descriptions of different e30 suspension setups.

[wazzu70]

The Konis adjust REBOUND, compression is fixed. TC Kline sells double adjustable Konis which made to work on our cars. TC K also has the rear top adjustable Konis as well. Also to answer your question most of the run of the mill places offering Konis have the rear shocks you need to remove to adjust. Don't go down this road, it looks to be a real PITA by the instructions.

Edit. I just relized in a prvious post I thought he was referring to Sa konis when he probably had DA. My bad.

[Mystikal]

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:

Yes. Real, solid info.

After my many years of E30 knowledge building...this post is the truth.

[b*saint]

I had Koni Yellows in my 325is and they were AWESOME. I loved them so much. The way I had them setup, my friend with an E36 M3 compared my ride to that of his ride. So I am a diehard Koni fan for life.

[808BMW]

Most Koni's are single adjustable.

The top adjusting rears kickass, I have those.

I've been running GC's with my koni's for about 3 years and I have no complaints.

[RedRacer]

Can anyone confirm that this chart is for E30 Konis and Bilsteins? Front or Rear?

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:

[soul rebel]

Dibs on what man?? Armando sent me a PM with very extensive and detailed descriptions of different e30 suspension setups.

You should post it, that sounds helpful.

If konis are improperly set most of the time, then what is the proper setting on konis with say, hr race springs, on a 325i? does that setting change if its for a 318i or a vert? And if so what are the proper settings? Is there a procedure to set the konis the "right way"?

[golde30]

according to that chart, billy sports are like konis set at middle? hmmmm i have run both, i would say thats pretty accurate.

[BMWLA]

I hear that the quality of Konis has gone in the tank.

[Jean]

I've ran both as well, from my experience bilstein sports feel just right with h&r sports vs stiff springs.... I am going with Koni next (again).

[einstein57]

Who's gonnah pay $300 to revalve brand new $400 shocks?

[Nicademus]

I'd like the front shocks off you as well :)

[Pac1373]

Holy thread reserection batman!






P.S. I am guessing that the front shocks are LONG gone...
just a guess tho'

[theox69]

I have this dilemma.
I'm going to buy H&R Race Springs for sure, but after reading this thread, I don't know whether I should get Bilstein Sport's or Koni's.
Here are some problems I'm having...
-I don't know how smart it is to buy Bilstein Sports only to get them revalved for the same price I bought them, so they could match the spring rate my H&R's..
-I wouldn't know which set of Koni's to get (Yellows, SA, DA, etc.)
Any help would be appreciated,
Thanks.