KYB or Bilstein Touring?

[lowd239]

Cant decide which to buy. The stock shocks are completly shot and cant afford to buy the bilstein sports but it looks like the KYB's and the bilstein tourings are close enough in price that if the tourings were that much better I would just buy them. I am a spirited driver however and im worried the tourings would be too soft.

[jlevie]

Either will be a world of improvment over what's on the car right now.

[AdironRider]

KYB's are crap from what Ive heard. Bilstein puts out a good product, but the tourings are basically just a stock shock replacement, your not going to notice a jump in performance. Well you are, but thats just because your shocks are blown now, but you get my point.

[ptownTSI]

400 shipped for bilstein sports off ebay... grab a set of vogtland springs for $180 from FCP groton and you are set. $606 with shipping for both sets.

[lowd239]

im a poor college student so 400 for the sports is out of the question. Theres a set of bilstein tourings on ebay for 189 with free shipping or I could get the KYBs for around 160. So you all think I should go with the tourings?

[Mike325]

I have the bilstein tourings on my car and they feel great. A nice improvement over my non blown stock ones for sure. I still get a great ride and still have good handeling.

[StereoInstaller1]

KYB's are crap from what Ive heard.

Horseshit.

I own the fucking things, and have had them on several cars. All lowered, all driven hard, all (except the E30) have had over 100,000 miles put on KYB GR2s. The E30 has about 25,000 miles on its GR-2s, and while I will agree that billysports are a far better shock, I would rather have GR-2s than tourings if the car is (or is going to be) lowered.

The Tourings aren't intended for a lowered car. Their stroke is centered on a stock ride heigth. If you lower them, the gas is too high in pressure and thus causes premature failure. Not by any means a bad shock, excellent in fact...but needs to be used within its designed parameters.

I would not say that KYB's are my first choice, or even 3rd...but if you are broke and need shocks, fear not on rocking the KYB's.

Mine feel terrific.

Especially if you intend to lower. Whatever you do, stay away from Monroe (especially the "SensaTrak") or Gabriel.

Luke

[JGood]

KYB is OEM for many car manufacturers, as stated in another thread.

There is nothing wrong with them.

[lowd239]

thanks for the info. Looks like I will be going with a set of KYBs.

Jeff

[vpilarrt]

lowd 239 said

Theres a set of bilstein tourings on ebay for 189 with free shipping...

I installed a new set of Billy TC's and used M3 springs (with 75k miles on them) on my 318is to get a slightly lowered look. Well the ride is much nicer but the springs didn't lower my car one bit - in fact the front is close to 1" higher than stock. So I'm thinking of sell this stuff and going with H&Rs and Billy Sports. I'd be willing to let the whole package go for $250 shipped or $150 shipped for the shocks alone. Let me know.

[e30 gangsta]

Kyb Keep Your Blistens

[AdironRider]

Horseshit.

I own the fucking things, and have had them on several cars. All lowered, all driven hard, all (except the E30) have had over 100,000 miles put on KYB GR2s. The E30 has about 25,000 miles on its GR-2s, and while I will agree that billysports are a far better shock, I would rather have GR-2s than tourings if the car is (or is going to be) lowered.

The Tourings aren't intended for a lowered car. Their stroke is centered on a stock ride heigth. If you lower them, the gas is too high in pressure and thus causes premature failure. Not by any means a bad shock, excellent in fact...but needs to be used within its designed parameters.

I would not say that KYB's are my first choice, or even 3rd...but if you are broke and need shocks, fear not on rocking the KYB's.

Mine feel terrific.

Especially if you intend to lower. Whatever you do, stay away from Monroe (especially the "SensaTrak") or Gabriel.

Luke

Thats all well and good, but he said nothing about lowering his car. I just know my pops has been putting new KYB's on his honda every 30k it seems, but our roads here sucks royally, so they get beat on pretty good.

[Dave]

The OE KYBs on my wife's van went 100k no issues. Replaced them with new GR-2s not long ago.

KYB is oe for Lexus and Toyota.

[StereoInstaller1]

Thats all well and good, but he said nothing about lowering his car. I just know my pops has been putting new KYB's on his honda every 30k it seems, but our roads here sucks royally, so they get beat on pretty good.

Exactly why I specifically mentioned "if" he is lowering his car.

On your Dad's honda, is he using the GR2 or the generic? I know the generic KYB is pretty weak...but GR2's generally rock for the money.

You are absolutely right about the NE having the worst roads in the US. Seems parts of HWY 1 were like a freaking minefield.

I think if I had any interst in a stock height car, I would seriously consider tourings. As it is, my KYB/B+G combo is gonna go on my sons car when I upgrade to coilovers...but I have always wanted Koni, so I will likely go with them there Konis.

Luke

[AdironRider]

Im not sure specifically but knowing my pops, they were the generic cheapo ones. Probably explains it right there.