Koni or Bilstein for '88?
#19
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sunny Southern California, USA
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Decisions, Decisions, after reading this and the Pelican Thread I am still on the wall. Should I replace my stock Boge shocks which are really worn out with Koni Sport or Bilstein Sport. It's mostly driven on weekends (mostly canyon runs) and tracked once a year. The Koni's seem like they last longer than the Bilstein's and offer better handling overall. This is for a 87 Cabriolet with 255 Rears and 215 Fronts.
#20
Rennlist Member
Decisions, Decisions, after reading this and the Pelican Thread I am still on the wall. Should I replace my stock Boge shocks which are really worn out with Koni Sport or Bilstein Sport. It's mostly driven on weekends (mostly canyon runs) and tracked once a year. The Koni's seem like they last longer than the Bilstein's and offer better handling overall. This is for a 87 Cabriolet with 255 Rears and 215 Fronts.
#23
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#24
Instructor
I can't offer an opinion on the "Koni vs Bilstein" since I've not done a back to back comparo, which I think is the only legitimate way to be able to offer an opinion. However, I would like to offer a few thoughts I've gained having owned and operated an import specialist parts store for about 25 yrs.
I'm sure these companies evaluate and valve their products differently for a given vehicle so generalizations is probably not a great idea.
Although, I've used adjustable Konis on couple of my cars, I've never made adjustments on them so I can't really comment on that aspect with Konis. I have had experience on few VWs with Tokico adjustables, and the difference between full hard to full soft is very noticeable, the experience taught me how much effect the shocks have on a car on a given set of springs.
We were a Bilstein distributor and this gave me a few occasions where I was able to compare Bilstein HD against their Sport equivalents. Mind you, the test was done with me pushing down on the shock agaist the floor, nothing scientific, however, it was obvious that the big difference was in the rebound valving, Sports were much firmer on rebound but about the same on compression side. I have experienced both on my 92 GTI and the difference can best be described by saying that the car felt "firmer" but not "harsher" with the Sports.
Hope this helps.
I'm sure these companies evaluate and valve their products differently for a given vehicle so generalizations is probably not a great idea.
Although, I've used adjustable Konis on couple of my cars, I've never made adjustments on them so I can't really comment on that aspect with Konis. I have had experience on few VWs with Tokico adjustables, and the difference between full hard to full soft is very noticeable, the experience taught me how much effect the shocks have on a car on a given set of springs.
We were a Bilstein distributor and this gave me a few occasions where I was able to compare Bilstein HD against their Sport equivalents. Mind you, the test was done with me pushing down on the shock agaist the floor, nothing scientific, however, it was obvious that the big difference was in the rebound valving, Sports were much firmer on rebound but about the same on compression side. I have experienced both on my 92 GTI and the difference can best be described by saying that the car felt "firmer" but not "harsher" with the Sports.
Hope this helps.
#25
I can't offer an opinion on the "Koni vs Bilstein" since I've not done a back to back comparo, which I think is the only legitimate way to be able to offer an opinion. However, I would like to offer a few thoughts I've gained having owned and operated an import specialist parts store for about 25 yrs.
I'm sure these companies evaluate and valve their products differently for a given vehicle so generalizations is probably not a great idea.
Although, I've used adjustable Konis on couple of my cars, I've never made adjustments on them so I can't really comment on that aspect with Konis. I have had experience on few VWs with Tokico adjustables, and the difference between full hard to full soft is very noticeable, the experience taught me how much effect the shocks have on a car on a given set of springs.
We were a Bilstein distributor and this gave me a few occasions where I was able to compare Bilstein HD against their Sport equivalents. Mind you, the test was done with me pushing down on the shock agaist the floor, nothing scientific, however, it was obvious that the big difference was in the rebound valving, Sports were much firmer on rebound but about the same on compression side. I have experienced both on my 92 GTI and the difference can best be described by saying that the car felt "firmer" but not "harsher" with the Sports.
Hope this helps.
I'm sure these companies evaluate and valve their products differently for a given vehicle so generalizations is probably not a great idea.
Although, I've used adjustable Konis on couple of my cars, I've never made adjustments on them so I can't really comment on that aspect with Konis. I have had experience on few VWs with Tokico adjustables, and the difference between full hard to full soft is very noticeable, the experience taught me how much effect the shocks have on a car on a given set of springs.
We were a Bilstein distributor and this gave me a few occasions where I was able to compare Bilstein HD against their Sport equivalents. Mind you, the test was done with me pushing down on the shock agaist the floor, nothing scientific, however, it was obvious that the big difference was in the rebound valving, Sports were much firmer on rebound but about the same on compression side. I have experienced both on my 92 GTI and the difference can best be described by saying that the car felt "firmer" but not "harsher" with the Sports.
Hope this helps.
Rebound / Compression
HD 194 / 150
Sport 311 / 160
I'd have the valves changed from stock linear to digressive and matched to your springs and weight