Koni vs. Bilstein sports?

[einstein57]

I love the way bilstein sport feel on H&R sports. Not so much with the races. Although i've never ridden in a e30 with konis and races.

[Kingb]

I had koni's F/R with H&R on my 318i didn't like the ride. Now I have Billie sport with H&R front and Mtech2 or M3 (don't know but has a BMW number on it and is lower than stock) on my 325i, Love the ride

[DSP74]

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.

I don't even need to read the rest to give a +1

While I feel for any kind of track/autox Konis are MORE than worth it, for anything else the Bilsteins usually ride better and have better control.....If that isn't the case with these cars (I've not used Bills-probably won't) then they have some sort of goofy valving.....Not typically something you have to worry about with Bilstein.

FWIW I've had two Bilstein shocks revalved before and the charge was $75 each. That was through Stranoparts.com so they may have had a markup. They also shortened both shocks for only $65 each. (Since they were in there revalving anyhow)

[jtb_29]

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.

Bilstein sports for Races Springs. That's what SpecE30 runs.

[diegom6]

Go Konis!

[theox69]

how well would Koni SA's go with H&R Race Springs?

[BDK]

I had Konis on my e28 M5 and loved them, rear was set at medium firm and the front on medium firm as well...worked great...I loved it, eventhough I would prolly set the rears to medium next time with my e30 cab...I like being able to adjust the front for changing driving conditions ...yes, getting the rears right takes practice but a friend had them too so I had a headstart...
as far as which is better, it's like shoes, everybody has their favorite..
a friend had billies and kept telling me the Konis sucked, but I still bought them anyway, the next time at the track he said, this isn't fair that you can adjust your shocks and I can't...he wanted me to keep mine at medium so that we could race equally...
Like I said, I like the Konis...I told him to bite me, that's why I bought them...and I kept him behind me all day long....ahahahahahahahahaaaa

[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.

[Pac1373]

Holy thread reserection batman!






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

[Nicademus]

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

[einstein57]

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

[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).

[BMWLA]

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

[golde30]

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

[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"?