Anyone running Koni Adjustable Struts-springs?
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Joined: Dec 2016
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From: Pittsburgh Pa. - Mebourne, Florida
1993 190E Sportline; 1992 190E 2.3
Anyone running Koni Adjustable Struts-springs?
Is any one running Koni adjustable ? My 1993 2.6 sportline is ready for shocks.
I would prefer the OE suspension parts but the OE sportline shock and struts are not available. FCP Euro web site showed OE struts available but after I ordered them a got an email that they were not in stock , so they canceled the order. I was thinking about B8’s but I read the B8’s are not recommended for the slightly lowered sportline suspension. I would like to keep my sportline springs.
Thanks
I would prefer the OE suspension parts but the OE sportline shock and struts are not available. FCP Euro web site showed OE struts available but after I ordered them a got an email that they were not in stock , so they canceled the order. I was thinking about B8’s but I read the B8’s are not recommended for the slightly lowered sportline suspension. I would like to keep my sportline springs.
Thanks
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1991 190E 2.3
Try Adsit Co. They're known to have hard to find MB parts. They've bailed me out a couple of times. You can also try the MB Classic Center. They have a better selection of parts for our cars than the MB dealers do. I also know this from personal experience.
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
Hi Dave,
355 runs the koni's on his blue one. He is happy with it. Can not remember if he has upgraded suspension (springs/roll bars) on his.
I run the B8's on both cars. One has sportline springs,( fronts are b8, rears are sachs standard from MB), the other W124 springs (slightly stiffer than sportline) but standard roll bars. Both feel pretty good to me.
The one with the W124 springs is a bit bumpier and sportier.
The red original is perfect with the correct amount of sporty feel and comfort but it is a bit of a hack job. I do not have the rear roll bar replaced to sportline in the red but instead I have the softer standard sachs to compensate for a stiffer roll bar that the non sportline's had.
The standard approach is to use the B8's though for the sportlines. Not sure why that is not recommended these days. Supposedly the B8 is for a lowered car but the sportline springs are somewhat lowered anyway. Also, I even ran the B8's on my standard springs for a while before I swapped in the sportline springs/roll bar. Never had an issue of bottoming out even then.
I know you do not want to experiment with suspension so the Koni's will probably suit you well. Reach out to 355 at some point.
355 runs the koni's on his blue one. He is happy with it. Can not remember if he has upgraded suspension (springs/roll bars) on his.
I run the B8's on both cars. One has sportline springs,( fronts are b8, rears are sachs standard from MB), the other W124 springs (slightly stiffer than sportline) but standard roll bars. Both feel pretty good to me.
The one with the W124 springs is a bit bumpier and sportier.
The red original is perfect with the correct amount of sporty feel and comfort but it is a bit of a hack job. I do not have the rear roll bar replaced to sportline in the red but instead I have the softer standard sachs to compensate for a stiffer roll bar that the non sportline's had.
The standard approach is to use the B8's though for the sportlines. Not sure why that is not recommended these days. Supposedly the B8 is for a lowered car but the sportline springs are somewhat lowered anyway. Also, I even ran the B8's on my standard springs for a while before I swapped in the sportline springs/roll bar. Never had an issue of bottoming out even then.
I know you do not want to experiment with suspension so the Koni's will probably suit you well. Reach out to 355 at some point.
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 129
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From: Pittsburgh Pa. - Mebourne, Florida
1993 190E Sportline; 1992 190E 2.3
Thanks for the responses. Bilstien does not recommend the B8's with the sportline springs. I surmise, that is because the sportline springs are not as low as H&R springs. Which brings up the question as to which bump stops do you use? I drove a very clean 16v that had B'8's that drove like a truck- wrong springs? wrong bump stops ?
Right now I have non sportline struts and shocks on my sportline and it's a little bouncy. Bilstein B4's with 60,000 miles on them.
Im leaning towards the B8's.....
Hope to hear from 355.
Thanks
Right now I have non sportline struts and shocks on my sportline and it's a little bouncy. Bilstein B4's with 60,000 miles on them.
Im leaning towards the B8's.....
Hope to hear from 355.
Thanks
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C230K
Suspension mods will depend heavily on your intended usage, roads traveled, tire selection, and desired comfort.
While I don’t have any experience with W201 suspension mods, I can say that Koni adjustables (when adjusted fully soft) dampen rippled surfaces better than Bilsteins.
And bump stop selection will vary due to your desired handling traits. Modern bump stops behave like secondary progressive springs, and you have the ability to choose their spring rate as well as their activation point. Trying to tune your bump stops properly will require some math and a lot of patience to disassemble/reassemble your suspension through trial and error.
If you’re trying to retain the factory ride quality, then OE bump stops are your only way to go. I assume the Sportline bump stops may differ from the base version and you’ll probably want to contact your dealership, or more likely MB Classic, for them. The next best choice would be simply the base bump stops, but you might need to trim them down a smidge to account for the lower height of the Sportline springs.
While I don’t have any experience with W201 suspension mods, I can say that Koni adjustables (when adjusted fully soft) dampen rippled surfaces better than Bilsteins.
And bump stop selection will vary due to your desired handling traits. Modern bump stops behave like secondary progressive springs, and you have the ability to choose their spring rate as well as their activation point. Trying to tune your bump stops properly will require some math and a lot of patience to disassemble/reassemble your suspension through trial and error.
If you’re trying to retain the factory ride quality, then OE bump stops are your only way to go. I assume the Sportline bump stops may differ from the base version and you’ll probably want to contact your dealership, or more likely MB Classic, for them. The next best choice would be simply the base bump stops, but you might need to trim them down a smidge to account for the lower height of the Sportline springs.
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190e 2.3-16
right on smgak!
dampening rates also depends on speeds on given surfaces.
I used koni sports on my '84 euro 8v with cut 500e, sl600, vogtland, and eibach sportlines and thought they were pretty good back in early '00s.1way rebound adjust: fronts were easy to adjust from the engine room shocktowers, but the rears i recall having to undo the bolt/nut on the control arms hand compress and twisting to adjust. still got them in storage incase i decide someday to rebuild/revalve them.
OE if im not mistaken was sachs that would come up NOS on ebay every blue moon back then. doubt it these days. personally think you cannot go wrong with bilstein HDs or sports and save your money to put towards other need to fix items on the list. its more important to keep the project momentum moving by being able to enjoy fruits of your labor as you go; in celebration of small victories than to make stuff sit taken all apart telling yourself someday (my story in hindsight).
i hear front coilovers have been proven safe. over a decade ago bought parts from a norcal guy campaigning a 16v in SCCA was doing testing for groundcontrol. so ultimately think that would be the way to go for me in dedicating the car for trackuse.
dampening rates also depends on speeds on given surfaces.
I used koni sports on my '84 euro 8v with cut 500e, sl600, vogtland, and eibach sportlines and thought they were pretty good back in early '00s.1way rebound adjust: fronts were easy to adjust from the engine room shocktowers, but the rears i recall having to undo the bolt/nut on the control arms hand compress and twisting to adjust. still got them in storage incase i decide someday to rebuild/revalve them.
OE if im not mistaken was sachs that would come up NOS on ebay every blue moon back then. doubt it these days. personally think you cannot go wrong with bilstein HDs or sports and save your money to put towards other need to fix items on the list. its more important to keep the project momentum moving by being able to enjoy fruits of your labor as you go; in celebration of small victories than to make stuff sit taken all apart telling yourself someday (my story in hindsight).
i hear front coilovers have been proven safe. over a decade ago bought parts from a norcal guy campaigning a 16v in SCCA was doing testing for groundcontrol. so ultimately think that would be the way to go for me in dedicating the car for trackuse.
Last edited by theonlyone; Sep 30, 2025 at 09:53 PM. Reason: i suck
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
I am using standard bump stops on both set-ups (124 springs and sportline springs with B8's). Bump stops can be cut to desired length if needed, I just did not see the need to.
My car has never gone airborne in the last 7 years though, so who knows if they (stops or struts) will get damaged if they get over-compressed. The way my car is driven I doubt I will ever find out.
In my opinion the sportline springs or 124 springs will never compress more than a standard spring as the springs are marginally shorter under load (half inch?) and stiffer.
I am surprised that bilstein does not recommend the B8 for the sportline. I wonder if they recommend the B4 instead. At some point they used to make B6's which were in between.
My car has never gone airborne in the last 7 years though, so who knows if they (stops or struts) will get damaged if they get over-compressed. The way my car is driven I doubt I will ever find out.
In my opinion the sportline springs or 124 springs will never compress more than a standard spring as the springs are marginally shorter under load (half inch?) and stiffer.
I am surprised that bilstein does not recommend the B8 for the sportline. I wonder if they recommend the B4 instead. At some point they used to make B6's which were in between.
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190e 2.3-16
Completely forgot to mention R129 strut mounts is what i used as they are taller allowing for slightly more piston travel/stroke. also heard w124 4matic ones are even taller. later on switched over to rdmtek camberplates, which i think was a greater improvement from the aluminum.
i do recall shopping around and finding bilstein sports in the realm of 280$ and the koni's being more. probably a lot more these days, but its way better than blown or part store specials. One of the things i've wanted to try is to use weight jack setups with stock mercedes springs or aftermarket springs with ratings for corner balancing.
i do recall shopping around and finding bilstein sports in the realm of 280$ and the koni's being more. probably a lot more these days, but its way better than blown or part store specials. One of the things i've wanted to try is to use weight jack setups with stock mercedes springs or aftermarket springs with ratings for corner balancing.
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89 190E 2.6 Blue, 89 190E 2.6, teal green, 99 SL500 Sport
Dave-I've had Koni yellow adjustable on my W201 for over 10 yrs now. Been very happy w/ the handling and performance aspect. I leave them on 25% stiffness for daily driving though so you don't rattle your teeth out.
I've got it paired w/ a very rare set of W124 Brabus springs (made hy H&R) with one coil removed in the front and none in the back.
You should be fine running Koni adjustables w/ the Sportline springs, just play w/ the rebound settings. Front is easy to adjust, the rear requires undoing the stop mount and jacking up the car/taking off the wheel so I leave it on medium. Feel free to let me know if you have other?'s
I've got it paired w/ a very rare set of W124 Brabus springs (made hy H&R) with one coil removed in the front and none in the back.
You should be fine running Koni adjustables w/ the Sportline springs, just play w/ the rebound settings. Front is easy to adjust, the rear requires undoing the stop mount and jacking up the car/taking off the wheel so I leave it on medium. Feel free to let me know if you have other?'s
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 48
Likes: 6
190e 2.3-16
I am using standard bump stops on both set-ups (124 springs and sportline springs with B8's). Bump stops can be cut to desired length if needed, I just did not see the need to.
My car has never gone airborne in the last 7 years though, so who knows if they (stops or struts) will get damaged if they get over-compressed. The way my car is driven I doubt I will ever find out.
In my opinion the sportline springs or 124 springs will never compress more than a standard spring as the springs are marginally shorter under load (half inch?) and stiffer.
I am surprised that bilstein does not recommend the B8 for the sportline. I wonder if they recommend the B4 instead. At some point they used to make B6's which were in between.
My car has never gone airborne in the last 7 years though, so who knows if they (stops or struts) will get damaged if they get over-compressed. The way my car is driven I doubt I will ever find out.
In my opinion the sportline springs or 124 springs will never compress more than a standard spring as the springs are marginally shorter under load (half inch?) and stiffer.
I am surprised that bilstein does not recommend the B8 for the sportline. I wonder if they recommend the B4 instead. At some point they used to make B6's which were in between.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 129
Likes: 19
From: Pittsburgh Pa. - Mebourne, Florida
1993 190E Sportline; 1992 190E 2.3
Suspension mods will depend heavily on your intended usage, roads traveled, tire selection, and desired comfort.
While I don’t have any experience with W201 suspension mods, I can say that Koni adjustables (when adjusted fully soft) dampen rippled surfaces better than Bilsteins.
And bump stop selection will vary due to your desired handling traits. Modern bump stops behave like secondary progressive springs, and you have the ability to choose their spring rate as well as their activation point. Trying to tune your bump stops properly will require some math and a lot of patience to disassemble/reassemble your suspension through trial and error.
If you’re trying to retain the factory ride quality, then OE bump stops are your only way to go. I assume the Sportline bump stops may differ from the base version and you’ll probably want to contact your dealership, or more likely MB Classic, for them. The next best choice would be simply the base bump stops, but you might need to trim them down a smidge to account for the lower height of the Sportline springs.
While I don’t have any experience with W201 suspension mods, I can say that Koni adjustables (when adjusted fully soft) dampen rippled surfaces better than Bilsteins.
And bump stop selection will vary due to your desired handling traits. Modern bump stops behave like secondary progressive springs, and you have the ability to choose their spring rate as well as their activation point. Trying to tune your bump stops properly will require some math and a lot of patience to disassemble/reassemble your suspension through trial and error.
If you’re trying to retain the factory ride quality, then OE bump stops are your only way to go. I assume the Sportline bump stops may differ from the base version and you’ll probably want to contact your dealership, or more likely MB Classic, for them. The next best choice would be simply the base bump stops, but you might need to trim them down a smidge to account for the lower height of the Sportline springs.
I am leading toward the Koni's now. I have the OE bumpstops because I was planning to go with OE sportline struts/ shocks but they were backordered.
Question----- At rest the car rests on the springs not the bump stops, Right?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 129
Likes: 19
From: Pittsburgh Pa. - Mebourne, Florida
1993 190E Sportline; 1992 190E 2.3
Dave-I've had Koni yellow adjustable on my W201 for over 10 yrs now. Been very happy w/ the handling and performance aspect. I leave them on 25% stiffness for daily driving though so you don't rattle your teeth out.
I've got it paired w/ a very rare set of W124 Brabus springs (made hy H&R) with one coil removed in the front and none in the back.
You should be fine running Koni adjustables w/ the Sportline springs, just play w/ the rebound settings. Front is easy to adjust, the rear requires undoing the stop mount and jacking up the car/taking off the wheel so I leave it on medium. Feel free to let me know if you have other?'s
I've got it paired w/ a very rare set of W124 Brabus springs (made hy H&R) with one coil removed in the front and none in the back.
You should be fine running Koni adjustables w/ the Sportline springs, just play w/ the rebound settings. Front is easy to adjust, the rear requires undoing the stop mount and jacking up the car/taking off the wheel so I leave it on medium. Feel free to let me know if you have other?'s
Thanks Chris!- I was hoping to hear from you.
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From: SF Bay Area, CA
190E 2.6L 1989, 190E 2.6L 1988, BMW 535dXdrive 2014, BMW 428i 2015
Yes, depending on the springs/struts used there is a pretty healthy gap between the bump stop and the top of the strut.
I have ridden in 355's 190E and I would say you can't go wrong with the adjustable Koni's.
I have ridden in 355's 190E and I would say you can't go wrong with the adjustable Koni's.
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C230K
Generally yes. I’m not familiar with the W201’s suspension, so we’ll defer to dolucasi or other experienced folks. Glad to hear that you have the OE bumpstops, because that takes a lot of guesswork out of the equation.
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C230K
Bumping this thread for a slightly related question, and this is the most relevant thread after performing a search…
Does anyone know what the OEM spring rates are for the W201?
Does anyone know the motion ratios for the front and rear suspension? I’m primarily interested in the MRs for the springs, but am curious about the shocks for bumpstop tuning too.
Maybe the info was easily found back on 190Rev, and I’m hoping one of y’all can remember.
Thanks!
Does anyone know what the OEM spring rates are for the W201?
Does anyone know the motion ratios for the front and rear suspension? I’m primarily interested in the MRs for the springs, but am curious about the shocks for bumpstop tuning too.
Maybe the info was easily found back on 190Rev, and I’m hoping one of y’all can remember.
Thanks!
