KONI vs BILSTEIN

[Jean]

I had bilstein re-valve my sports to better match my ground control config on my e30 and it was worth the cost.

As of today, the wait is 4-6 weeks to get your shocks re-valved, as I am waiting for my e34 set ... they are a bit behind.

[graphikg]

Revalve makes the shock WAYYYYY better. If I were to get Billies now, after experience, I would have them custom valve them right from ordering from the factory.

[sasha18yug]

hey guys been reading this cause im looking for suspension setup for my e30... the thing is here in germany..everyone swears that bilstein b12 pro kit..( eibach springs) are the best...and o dont know if you guys are talking about the same shock or not...its called b8 here in germany ...
it would be nice to clear that up for me...thanks...

[Cabriolet]

eibach makes good coilover springs. H&R makes better standard springs. if you dont want to revalve or just like to adjust your shocks, get koni yellows. if you want to revalve get bilsteins.

[sasha18yug]

eibach makes good coilover springs. H&R makes better standard springs. if you dont want to revalve or just like to adjust your shocks, get koni yellows. if you want to revalve get bilsteins.

the kit i am looking for is sold in germany or europe as a hole kit springs\shocks...and they are supose to work good togheter...lowering is 35mm frond and rear... people say on german forums that there is no better suspension then this one...excludin coilovers...wich i dont have money for...this kit costs 604 euros...

[woc]

That sounds about right. I had the Eibach pro-kit with old shocks, it was too flimsy to me, so I got the IE stage 3 + new billie sports. and the car handles like race car. Now...the front is not lowered like the Eibach pro did, but lowered the rear more than Pro kit. Note...IE stage 3 are Eibach's springs made for IE specs ( stiff rates. )

[einstein57]

I like turtles.

[elbrack]

Okay, so I need new shocks. My mechanic recommended Bilstein HD with stock springs for my DD. Sounded reasonable. However I found Konis for 50 bucks more. Now how do I tell the difference between Koni SA and NA? Is there a difference?

Which would be better for the setup. I want a tight car that will handle some aggressive driving in mountain roads.

I don't know much about changing springs or anything like that.

Thanks.

[nando]

SA means single adjustable (rebound)

NA probably means non-adjustable.

the konis will ride a little better, but I don't know that there's a big difference.

if you got SA, you could use them again if you decided to get performance springs. the HDs would not be a great idea with any sort of lowering - the front bumpstops are too long and they will be travel limited, meaning bad ride quality.

[elbrack]

SA means single adjustable (rebound)

NA probably means non-adjustable.

the konis will ride a little better, but I don't know that there's a big difference.

if you got SA, you could use them again if you decided to get performance springs. the HDs would not be a great idea with any sort of lowering - the front bumpstops are too long and they will be travel limited, meaning bad ride quality.

Sounds like Konis are the way to go then :-)

[agent]

I want a tight car that will handle some aggressive driving in mountain roads.

Do the Koni SAs and add some H&R Sport springs when resources permit. It's a perfect setup for what you want.

[elbrack]

Do the Koni SAs and add some H&R Sport springs when resources permit. It's a perfect setup for what you want.

Pulled the trigger on the koni sports. Talked over with my mechanic and he agreed with what you were saying as well and said the price was good.

[K20RI_211]

Guys,

Decided to bump this instead of creating a new topic. My situation: E30 autocross car that is going to become a full-time summer cruiser only. Currently sitting on H&R Sports with Bilstein Sports.

Consensus: the ride quality sucks. Entire suspension refreshed. Harsh, harsh, harsh (by my standards), bangs/crashes over road abrasions. I live in a pothole-infested city and it is not a pleasant experience just blasting around town.

In reading this thread, it would appear Koni SAs are the way to go. Most people seem to agree the ride quality is better. Softer is fine for me. This is going to be a backroads cruiser, not a track rat.

If so, can someone point me to which vendor has the best price for what I need? Thanks.

[ajhostetter]

Hey Man, I have Bilstein Sports with Vogtland progressives on my car. It does fine on the track and is really quite pleasant on the road, even in pothole infested Portland. A set of those springs is < $200.00. I would recommend that over spending the extra dough for the Konis.

[ajhostetter]

Guys,

Decided to bump this instead of creating a new topic. My situation: E30 autocross car that is going to become a full-time summer cruiser only. Currently sitting on H&R Sports with Bilstein Sports.

Consensus: the ride quality sucks. Entire suspension refreshed. Harsh, harsh, harsh (by my standards), bangs/crashes over road abrasions. I live in a pothole-infested city and it is not a pleasant experience just blasting around town.

In reading this thread, it would appear Koni SAs are the way to go. Most people seem to agree the ride quality is better. Softer is fine for me. This is going to be a backroads cruiser, not a track rat.

So you actually see my response.

If so, can someone point me to which vendor has the best price for what I need? Thanks.