mtelliott

Everyone,

I have a 1985 928 S. It's time for new shocks. If possible, would like some real work experience and thoughts from the community.

I'm not planning on tracking or autocrossing. I drive my car almost daily (currently have snow tires on it). I've read via search a bunch of opinions, but wanted to get some real world experience.

I like the idea of better handling in the turns, but don't know if the $900 for the Bilstein's are worth it. I like the idea of the progressive rate springs however lowering my car an inch will make for problems getting in and out of the driveway.

So, what's people's real world experience. Anyone gotten any of the above combinations and wish they would have went more?

Michael

RyanPerrella

Michael,

This topic has been covered a whole bunch. There are probably 50-100 pages spread through rennlist about this on many different threads.

Try using the search

Bill Ball

Are you trying to compare a new set of Boge black (standard) shocks versus Bilsteins? No comparision. The Bilsteins perform more like the Boge reds (sport) and are about the same price.

As Ryan said, there has been lots of discussion of springs, as well as shocks. Many people use and love Eibachs, especially on the track. I didn't care for them, but I'm probably in the minority. I didn't find the Eibachs to drop my 89 all that much. Well, maybe it was an inch in front, but there was adjustment left to raise it.

david928

Michael,

I did just the opposite. I replaced the Boge shocks with Bilsteins, but kept the stock springs. I didn't want to lower the car with the Eibach springs, because I already scrape the bottom occasionally. Plus I wanted to keep the linear spring rate, as opposed to the progressive.

David

mtelliott

Bill, that's the real world advice I'm looking for. In your opinion, why didn't you care for the Eibachs. I'm not looking to track, just the ability to straighten out some mountain roads.

I've done searches, but there's a lot of attitude with the comments. I just want honest assesment of what people have found for themselves.

Michael

mtelliott

David, did you find that with the Bilteins that is seem to tighten the car up on curves compared to the Boges? Mine leans way to much on curves; could be the old shocks I guess. Just want to spend money appropriately. I enjoy the ride during normal driving.

Michael

Daniel Dudley

I agree with Bill, the shocks alone will make a big difference.

I have B&Es on my 80, and they are very sporty, but the springs are almost too much for the shocks on certain roads that are less than smooth. Still a great combo though.

I have Konis and stiff springs that are not Eibachs on my 86, and the Konis can handle a stiffer spring IMO.

Call Carl over at 928 Motorsports if you are really serious about getting set up. Stock springs, Bilstiens and maybe a sway bar upgrade would be nice for you on the street. You could get the shocks, see how that suits you, and upgrade the sways later if you wish.

BTW, you get what you pay for in the shock absorber department. No lie.

Daniel Dudley

BTW, shocks do get tired, but the right wheels and tires are essential to good road holding. 225 & 245 minimum on any 928. Look at what Vettes run, and you will see what I mean.

Bill Ball

My shock/spring problems are legendary and not representative. I'd rather not repeat it. If you can find it by search, you'll see why I have what I have now, which is Bilsteins and original stock springs. I've recently put Boge Reds, still available through Porsche (one good dealer source for these is Sunset Porsche) on a couple of cars, and although they have very different static properties (fender push "test" feels much softer), on the road they feel like Bilsteins.

JHowell37

For street driving the stock Boge shocks are fine. I just replaced the shocks on my '85 a few months ago and I had the same dilemma. In a sense I did upgrade because the '85 used oil filled Boge shocks, and I went with the gas charged Boges used on '86.5+ models. Some people can justify spending twice as much on a set Bilsteins and I'll even believe them when they say there is a huge difference, but I also keep in mind that the ride and handling weren't too shabby even with the stock Boge shocks. As far as springs go, I have no use for anything that lowers the car. I have a 1/2-mile gravel driveway, and with the current height, I can do 25-30 MPH on it without an issue. I'm not about to put myself in a position to have to drive the car at walking speed just for aesthetics.

For street use, you'll likely see better, more noticeable results by putting in some stiffer sway bars.

ROG100

The only way to go is stock boges and Eibach springs for street use.
Anything else is way way to harsh.
Just my 5c

Track use is a whole other issue

Andre Hedrick

Stock sport springs and Bilsteins are the trick!

90 S-4

Hey Andre,
That's what I was thinking -- Do you know the spring rate's of the stock sport spring's ??
Thanks

SeanR

Rogers advice is the way I'm going on my '88. I initially had planned on the Bilstien set up, but after seeing the difference in Jim M.'s GTS and Rog's GTS, not only will I save several $100.00 I'll get a ride I want.

FlyingDog

There's a reason why Boges cost $400 and Bilsteins cost $800. Boges are cheap, old technology two-tube oil (or gas emulsion) shocks. Bilsteins are high pressure gas monotubes. Look at what Porsche/BMW/Mercedes use now. It's either Bilstein HD/Sport/PSS9/10 or modernized Boge/Sachs equivalents. The old Boges that were used on 928s (the Red Boge Sports may be an exception) would not be considered for a modern high performance luxury car.

I wouldn't consider the black Boges as a choice for street or track.