[FRporscheman]

I'm shopping for new dampers for the front and rear. I'm looking to not spend a fortune on anything more than what I really need, so coilovers and things like that are out of the question. I want to keep my stock springs and all that, so I was thinking of Koni yellows.



I also noticed that there is a Bilstein HD shock available for the rear. They are considerably cheaper and I have heard nothing but praise for Bilstein. My brother has Bilstein HDs on his GTI and we both love the ride quality and road manners. I have no personal experience with Koni but their reputation is well known.



My main question is if anyone has experiences they'd like to share about either brand, but I'm especially interested in comments on using Koni fronts and Bilstein rears. I understand the Konis are hydraulic and adjustable on rebound, and the Bilsteins are gas-charged and non-adjustable. I've also heard the Bilsteins are considered firmer than Konis but I don't get that because Konis are adjustable. Maybe people mean Bilsteins are firmer on compression.



So TIA!



Oh yeah, I'd also consider KYBs if people have good things to say about them.

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[unknown4u]

I like the standard setting from the Koni's, These were originaly mounted under the car. And still in good condition. They where tested by them 2 years ago.

I do not have experiences with Bilstein, but I do think they are great as well.



You have a hard decision to make what to choose.

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[Duckman]

I have Koni yellows front and rear, set to the middle adjustment. The springs are stock but I upgraded to M030 sway bars front and rear.



They've been on the car for several years and been to the track a few times. I like 'em but I've never used the Bilsteins so I can't offer a comparison.

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[bob blackwell]

I have been very happy with my Koni Yellow Gas-adjustable struts and shocks on my 968 but I was very happy with Bilstein Gas Shocks (non-adjustable) that I had on my 1971 911S as well. If I had to choose I would probably go with the least expensive for the particular application. They are both great shocks/struts. I had KYB on a VW Scirroco and liked them too and they were really inexpensive compared to Koni and Bilstein. Not sure they have a product for the 968. Good luck, Bob Blackwell.

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[FRporscheman]

Thanks for the input everyone!



When shopping around at your favorite online parts supplier, you won't find KYB parts listed for the 968. But they are available for the 951. Luckily the 951 rear shocks mount indentically to 968 rears so that should be a direct fit. For the fronts, I can use some spare 951 strut housings & springs I have. The housings are different, but everything else is the same, so I could theoretically get KYBs put into a 951 housing then install that on the 968.



There's no Bilstein front inserts, unfortunately. I'd love to grab a set of 4... I have KYBs on my 944 but it's hard to make a comparison, the cars are too different. That car has 15" wheels, weighs 300lbs less, has no front sway bar at the moment, and the springs are whatever stock springs it came with. I can't really judge how much of that feeling is from the KYBs and how much is from all the other variables. No complaints, though!

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[TheMirror]

I'll have some input for you soon, as I have 4 Koni yellows going in within the next 4 weeks.

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[flash]

konis yellows are gas - fixed compression - adjustable rebound - they tend to be jittery when set too stiff or running stiff springs, but not bad as long as you don't crank them up - frequently people set them too stiff for their spring rate, which leads to a false sense of stiffness - if you set them correctly, and do not exceed their spring rate limits, they are fine for hot street - the shocks tend to be a bit jumpy regardless, due to the gas preload, but are still the best bang for the buck



kyb is a bit soft for anything more than cruising - i have loved them on other cars, but they are really a bit soft for this one



i've not played with the bilsteins, but pete has quite a bit - i'd call him for the skinny on them

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[midblu]

Had the KYB on the rear for a short period and they were much too soft. They were an improvement over the stock shocks that were shot but not much. I changed them out for the Koni yellows and the difference was night and day.



I've had Bilsteins for years on everything from Audi's, BMW's, Volkswagen's, and currently on my Benz and have always been happy with the results.



Ron

94 coupe/6 speed

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[FRporscheman]

Thanks very much for all the responses!



I was JUST about to pull the trigger on bilstein rears and koni fronts, when I found a sweet deal on a set of 4 lightly used konis at a significantly lower price than anything but kybs. So I got those. I was eager to see how the bilsteins would be because everyone and their mother has konis. But I'm sure I'll be happy with them regardless!



Now I have to get some for my mom's car, so then everyone and their mother really will have konis <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[rhudeboye]

[quote name='FRporscheman' post='47492' date='Feb 14 2008, 02:52 AM']Now I have to get some for my mom's car, so then everyone and their mother really will have konis <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />[/quote]





By rhudeboye

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[Tom in Austin]

I'd sure love to see the final set of choices. I run Koni yellows today and they are too stiff and jittery for the streets here, especially in the rear (partly my own doing as I went to 17" wheels and Big Reds in front).



Flash, didn't you have a dual-adjustable non-gas shock alternative in your list of future projects?

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[flash]

yes - done - just waiting on enough interest to justify making the kits - when enough folks contact pete, i'll run them off



i also now have dual adjustable hydraulic struts in my car - MUCH nicer already, even though i am still dialing them in

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[FRporscheman]

Sounds cool!



I'd love to get a ride in your car one day to feel what a done-up 968 feels like.

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[flash]

no worries - pop over for one of the events - the ortega fun run would be a good one - or the paso run - of course you are welcome at all of them

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