Koni FSD

[Steady]

Hello there ,

 

Was wondering whether anyone tried the new Koni FSD shocks. Pls give comments on whether it is really has a good balance of comfort versus performance.

 

Cheers!

[Saabretooth]

Yeap, Anyone tried these yet? as compared to KW coilovers?

[Chickenbackside]

I have them on my car.

 

I would say they do strike a very good balance between comfort and performance. Of course you cannot expect the performance of height and damping adjustable coilovers like Bilstein PSS9's or KW Var3. But coilovers can never come near to the comfort offered by FSD's.

 

I did it together with lowering springs and 19" wheels. I chose the FSD's to compensate for the comfort that I know I'll be losing by going up to 19"s. My findings are: compared with stock suspension, the car is much flatter during corners (low frequency movements) and I can take the same corners at much higher speeds. On bumpy roads (high frequency movements), the car floats overs the bumps. Pretty much best of both worlds.

 

I have Eibach Prokit springs with my FSD's and it's perfect for my needs. You can still track with them, but just don't push the car so hard during the corners. You will definitely appreciate them off the track, which is for me, 99% of the time.

Edited July 9, 2006 by Chickenbackside

[Saabretooth]

Thanks man! that was what I was looking for.

 

Btw CKBS, what's your ride? I am looking at between the FSDs and KW Var 2. How much did you get the FSDs for? Do you know the pricing for the KW Var 2 and 3?

[Chickenbackside]

Anytime bro.

 

My car is a BMW E46 sedan. I paid $1200 for the FSD's alone. The price of Var 2 is $2800 and Var 3 id $3500 for my car.

[Saabretooth]

The KWS are not cheap. I am on a 93 Aero. Suspension is beginning to feel a little suspect. Looking for potential "replacements".

 

I've test driven a 93 on KW Var1 and 19" rims. Feels a little hard but it holds the corners pretty well. I have also driven a E46 with the KW Var1 and 18". The handling is awesome and reasonably comfortable.

 

So now I am contemplating between the KWs and the FSDs.

 

Glad to know that the the Eibachs have a good ride. I am thinking of retaining my original sport (sachs I think) springs if I am going FSD, together with my existing 17" rims.

Edited July 10, 2006 by Saabretooth

[Steady]

Try to get the FSD together with the sport springs, or else you can't buy the springs on its own if you find that it doesn't match .

 

Happened to me after I installed the FSD and tried to match with my existing lowering springs. Was way too hard with my existing springs, although it managed to absorb bumps better than my original shocks (it was leaking already).

 

When I tried to purchase the koni sport springs from the distributor, got nothing from them. Not saying they are not willing to sell, but I guess they shipped in complete sets only. BTW, I ordered mine thru a US web, and they don't come with springs.

 

Finally matched my FSD with a softer progessive springs. Can't say whether it is better if I had installed with original Koni Sport springs, b'cos I have not had a chance to try one yet. Overall, I'm quite pleased with my current setup, thou a bit regret that I didn't get the correct matched springs.

[Saabretooth]

Currently what ride are you on? I am guessing that the FSDs work better with heavier conti cars if I am not wrong

[Steady]

Skoda Octavia. Its quite a heavy car, trust me.

[Saabretooth]

Yeah I can guess!

 

Thats why I am contemplating. ;)

[M323]

which shock is best for my 323, am using stock shock & sheep dog spring now, feeling the front shock got some problem already...

[Teddi]

For Springs: Eibach Springs or H&R

 

 

For shocks - Koni, Bilstein (B6 if use back stock springs, B8 if use shortened springs,

Sachs, KYB

 

Recommended: Bilstein B8 with Eibach or H&R springs.

Stay away from Koni. Not as lasting as Bilstein

[Saabretooth]

I have been contemplating for quite a while and I guess that there are a few questions you have to ask yourself (as I have)

 

 

1) what is yor budget

2) Are you tracking or just for street use

3) (if for street) Are you going for lowered looks with comfort or do you want good street performance?

4) Are you going to fetch people (regular load)?

5) Do you want to have the option to adjust your height and damping (its going to cost more)

 

6) What is your rim and tire size?

 

Once you have these few ideas, then there is a good direction to go.

 

As Chickenbackside said, if you are not going tracking regularly, the FSD with a lowered (or progressive) springs will give you a very good balance of performance and comfort.

 

If you are into performance, then bilsteins shocks are one of the best. FSDs and KW coilovers are something I am considering for myself.

 

These that I mentioned tend to be for conti cars, for Mazda, maybe someone with more experience can share. I have heard of Tein, HKS... etc.

 

At the end, you'll be going back to the questions and then the budget you can set aside for it. Cheers

[M323]

1) what is yor budget

i guess not as expensive as coilover, am thinking of using back the spring and change the shock OR change to D2 coilover

 

2) Are you tracking or just for street use

street use but hope can get some hard cornering

 

3) (if for street) Are you going for lowered looks with comfort or do you want good street performance?

yes, as lowest as can go

 

4) Are you going to fetch people (regular load)?

mostly front seat only

 

5) Do you want to have the option to adjust your height and damping (its going to cost more)

not necessary adjustable

 

6) What is your rim and tire size?

195/55/15