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Koni vs Bilstein

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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 03:25 PM
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Default Koni vs Bilstein

Are the Koni adjustables worth the extra C-Note? 73 coupe with good suspension and manual steering..looking for best ride possible...

thanks
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 03:37 PM
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The Koni shocks are adjustable. If you run very heavy springs then you may need adjustable shocks (the Bilstein shocks can be re-valved to get more compression or rebound dampening). If you're running the stock springs you shouldn't need adjustable shocks. For 'normal' street driving the Bilstein shocks are the best deal ($250 for the HDs). I'm very happy with mine.
If you want a smooth and comfortable ride you will be happy with KYB Gas-a-just shocks, these are only $120 (Summit/Jegs)
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 05:46 PM
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Thanks ..I usually go middle of the road on most things...so I'll go with the Bilsteins..Iwant it to ride nice but be a little on the firm side...I'm afraid the KYB's will be too soft.

Where can I get Bilstein HD for 250.00? Everyplace I have seen they are 75.00ea.

thanks again..
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 06:16 PM
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Mid America has them for $249.

http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=1.190.1452
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Old Jun 5, 2006 | 09:39 PM
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For what it's worth, I went with QA1 adjustables. They're a rebuildable race shock and IMHO outperform the Bilsteins and are on-car adjustable.

Larry
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Old Jun 6, 2006 | 06:55 AM
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I don't know if they're available in the US, but I fitted Spax shocks to mine & am extremely impressed with the ride. It's impossible to describe the ride but for an idea of improvements, I once took an '80 owner for a ride to demo a composite rear spring. His mouth opened in disbelief that we were hitting potholes & bumps without compressing his spine. When I later fitted the spax shocks my wife, not known for mechanical sympathy(!) or noticing that I've spent hours tweaking her engine, said "Wow, what a difference, it so much smoother" within the 1st 100yards. Holes & bumps are soaked up well, cornering on bad roads was improved. I was originally going to get a set of Koni adjustables but somebody pointed me to Spax with glowing recommendations. They're adjustable for damping rate & were slightly cheaper than I was quoted for Konis. If you can get them in the US (for a reasonable price) then they're well worth considering, I'm very happy with mine
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Old Jun 6, 2006 | 07:06 AM
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had SPAX one one of my Bug's a long timeago ...i'd go with the Bil's ,,or QA-1's ,,
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Old Jun 6, 2006 | 07:44 AM
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Yup, Spax are popular on Bugs & lots of ricers (or the stickers are popular ) which is why I never really thought about them (a ricer shock? On MY Vette?!!), but having fitted them I'm happy I did.

I wonder where I put the stickers? There's a couple of paint chips....
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Old Jun 6, 2006 | 07:51 AM
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Bils came with the VB&P Street & Slalom that I put on my vette...550 lb front coils and 360 comp mono on the rear. I like the Bilsteins so far....nice tight ride!
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Old Jun 6, 2006 | 10:22 AM
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Everyone that has the Bil's seems to like them...strength in numbers...that is what I'll go with. So I take it the HD version is the one?....
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Old Jun 6, 2006 | 12:01 PM
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For a stock spring setup, HDs are the way to go. If you are changing spring rates, then you may want to consider the Sports, a bit firmer to match the higher spring rate.
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Old Jun 7, 2006 | 03:57 AM
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What's wrong with VW Bugs?

Last edited by Kevin Mason; Jun 7, 2006 at 04:00 AM.
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Old Jun 7, 2006 | 07:15 AM
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My experience: Konis are a lot stiffer but offer better handling than Bilsteins.
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Old Jun 14, 2006 | 09:18 PM
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Originally Posted by RedBad1979
The Koni shocks are adjustable. If you run very heavy springs then you may need adjustable shocks (the Bilstein shocks can be re-valved to get more compression or rebound dampening). If you're running the stock springs you shouldn't need adjustable shocks. For 'normal' street driving the Bilstein shocks are the best deal ($250 for the HDs). I'm very happy with mine.
If you want a smooth and comfortable ride you will be happy with KYB Gas-a-just shocks, these are only $120 (Summit/Jegs)
How do you get them re-valved???
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