I have been planning on adding a set of Koni Special Actives to my 50k+ ‘95 C2 and plan to keep the factory springs (originally a Canadian delivery car).
But.....now I have a chance to pick up the Koni Sports for under $1k for the set and that sure seems like a great deal. So with this price are the Sports a no brainer for me over the Special Actives? Some experiences or advice would be a big help.

 

If the adjustable dampening appeals to you then go for the Sport over the Special Active. However the difference between min and max is hardly noticeable.

 

I can't help you out with your decision on what to do. I installed the Koni actives on my 98 C2S with 72k miles and all i can say is like nite and day for performance. My 993 had US ride height so also went with H&R springs to bring it to euro ride height. I would think Koni sports would be so much nicer than your stock worn struts you would be very happy with performance.

 

That really surprises me.
i assume these are a good match for the stock springs?

 

I would assume so but best to check with Koni. They advertise their struts/shocks work very well with Porsche M033 springs, which gives you near factory feel albeit a bit lowered stance.

 

I put on the actives about 6 months ago along with the row m030 and m030 anti sway bars. I couldn't be happier but is wish it was a hair lower.

 

^^^ Any pictures of your stance with said setup?

 

here are a few bad pictures that I took last night for something else but it will show you where I am at. BTW- these are 18" wheels. I can get one finger in the rear gap and two in the front...that came out a little weird ;-) Also, the car is perfectly level even though the side photo looks like the front is higher. It is a bad angle. I can go about 1/2: lower one the front on the adjustment of the shocks. I plan on doing that before I align it next time.

 

I’m running Koni Special Actives as well but with M033s ... same ride height as M030s just softer compliance ... will be doing M030 ARBs in a week.

 

Excuse my lack of knowledge, but what number are the stock springs on my car?

 

Standard springs for US were M032.

 

if you have the factory "sport" package it is the m030. If you have a Canadian car, it is probably the same height as my (black) car. In the USA ours came with a taller factory spring.

 

From reading the Koni literature the Koni Special Active product seems like in general it will provide a more compliant, smoother ride with lower frequency cycling of the suspension and is less compliant with sudden cycling (high frequency). With a 993 and 17 or 18 inch wheels, the ride can be rather harsh for day to day street driving and so, in theory, the concept is attractive. In practice, with mixed harmonics or in turning or heavy braking (low frequency) I am not sure how it all washes out.

Thinking about it isn't the function of any shock cause it to be more compliant with low-frequency cycling vs high frequency?

For me, the issue is can they be rebuilt as both H&R and Sachs are rebuildable at low cost. If some time in the future one needs to replace their struts rebuilding them for $500 vs replacing them for $2000+ seems like a key driver for me considering both H&R and Sachs who makes a product that appears to have outstanding performance from feedback in these pages. I run with H&R Sport Coilover kits and have found them to be good performers for my street use and are at the lower end of the price spectrum.
Andy

 

I am pretty sure the Sports are rebuildable, but will take a look.

 

I just put on the Koni Active shocks and M033 Springs, they made a huge difference in handling yet not much difference in comfort from the stock US/Monroe shocks. M033 lowered the car about 1.3 inches front and 1.5" rear. Got mine from Paragon under $1200 for both shocks and springs. Koni has a sale right now saving $100.