Oddjob

Bilstein has a rather standard limited warranty. Does not warrant fair wear and tear and does not warrant racing applications. Coverage is for manufacturer defects, as determined by the manufacturer. What is not clear is how "racing use" is determined. Possible that any shock they classify as a "race" shock is not covered, which would potentially include the Turbo Cup/Escort shocks. Koni has a similar warranty and offers a lifetime warranty on their sport yellow shocks, but I do not think they cover any of their race shocks or conversions.

GENERAL AFTERMARKET WARRANTY DETAILS

ThyssenKrupp Bilstein of America warrants its gas pressure shock absorbers against defects in workmanship and materials for as long as you, the original purchaser, own your car.

If a shock/strut malfunctions and Bilstein determines it to be defective, we will either replace it or repair it depending on the term of the warranty based on the assembly's model type.

WARRANTY RESTRICTIONS

The limited warranties set forth above do not cover normal wear and tear and are non-transferable. The following are warranty exclusions:
•Original equipment shock absorbers (vehicle manufacturer warranty)
•Improper installation
•Racing, driving competition or off-road use
•Modified use or other than Bilstein-recommended vehicles
•Commercial vehicles
•Bent or broken Rods showing abuse or abnormal wear

Surface finish, boot or mounting hardware such as, but not limited to, rubber bushings, as well as labor charges are not covered by any of the foregoing limited warranties.
Bilstein's liability for a defective shock absorber is limited to replacement of shock with a new or reconditioned Bilstein shock absorber. Repair or replacement as provided by this warranty is customer's sole and exclusive remedy in the event of a product failure. Manufacturer shall not be liable for any incidental, consequential or other damages resulting from the disassembly, handling, installation, service, repair or use of this product.

333pg333

I think that pretty much sums up a conditional warranty Jim. ;-)

bebbetufs

so are the KWs holding up? They too have a limited lifetime warranty to the original owner.

jasonlp

They rebuilt my front shocks and I sold them. You could push both of them down with just a finger after 12 events. Adjusting the bound on the rears is a pain in the *** because you need to take them off to get to the adjustment.


1/3 Track use = Good

2/3 Track use = get something else

thingo

I use mine mostly track, as I said the camber adjustment tab needed reinforcement, otherwise they have been trouble free, i recently had them checked on a 'shock dyno', they were fine.I have a special tool to adjust the rear rebound on my car.Mine are custom specced, I guess the same as the club sport they sell now.

bebbetufs

@jason: What would you recommend instead?

@thingo: Why did you have yours custom specced? To take stiffer springs? Do they still come with a warranty if custom specced?

jasonlp

How much track and what's your price point?

bebbetufs

50/50 track/street. The KWs are probably strecthing my limit, but there is no point spending all the money I haven't got on something that won't do the job. If that is the case I will have to spend more, or just get stiffer springs for my M030 shocks.

333pg333

How much are brands like Moton & Intrax in your part of the world? To be fair, Jason's experience with his KW's doesn't sound good, it's the only really negative one I've heard about them from a number of users/forums around the world. Agree with Rod/Thingo that the camber adjustment tab needed upkeep, but you would be better advised to go with a different camber plate in my experience anyway. Racers Edge give you greater travel I've found. Not sure if Rod has changed his to something else again?Perhaps the Club sports are more substantially put together...might be worth a question to KW. Also, worst case scenario and you have to return them for servicing, at least Norway to Germany is not far away.

jasonlp

50/50 I would not get KW v3. Clubsport version sure no one's really broken them yet.
Also Moton clubsports are similarly priced to the KW clubsports I believe so I would opt for moton.

If your serious about tracking Bilsteins will not let you down, make sure to get them valved appropriately the springs that will give you the 50/50 you're looking for. It's one less thought to think about while tracking.

Any 944 worth tracking will be giving you a butt massage on the roads wether it's 10% more or 10% less you won't care.

bebbetufs

I'll check if I can get a roadworthy certificate with the Bilsteins. The Club Sports don't come with one, so they are out of the running, as are probably the Motons.

Would you say this will make it unbearable if i go on a road trip to various tracks in Europe?

By 50/50 I mean what I emphasize, not the actual time spent on track vs. road. If i'm looking at miles spent on the track vs road it will be more like 20%/80%. Still the fun is on the track so I'm willing to take the butt massage on the way to it if that means more fun once I get there, but not if it beats me up to the point I'll be too knackered to drive. I am almost 40 years old, what is bothersome to me could likely just be uncomfortable to some 19 year olds...although I'm still quite fit, and the seats are comfy...

I should also mention that I have not stripped the car. It has stock interior and I have kept the AC for the long road trips I'm planning.

333pg333

Just keeping the stock seats makes much of this discussion redundant. Almost pointless tracking a car with them and standard belts IMHO.

So you can't just put any shocks on...you have to get a certificate for your car?

bebbetufs

You can't legally modify any part of the car without having it approved and stamped. Only TUV certified parts are approved. The same applies to the seats, which is why I'm keeping the stock seats for now. There is no way they will approve a cage for the street, they may approve a roll-bar though, but only if the rear seats are removed, in case someone is stupid enough to try to carry passengers with the roll-bar fitted.

I don't want to upgrade twice unless there is no way to hit a working compromise. I may turn the car into a track car once they build the track nearer to me, but that is at least 2 years away. I'll get the best suspension I can afford and keep it. Surely it will make the car better, even with the stock seats? This way, when I can afford it I can stick some racing seats in for when I go to the track.

944Nord

http://www.ebay.de/itm/H-R-Clubsport...item35b9dd9631

bebbetufs

Thanks.
They don't seem to have adjustable valving, is that correct? They do come with TUV papers, which is a bonus.