Is anyone running this setup currently? Have the FSDs held up over long period of time with the shorter springs? I know from my E39 days the FSD did not last long at all, but can't find much info on their longevity on the W204 platform?
Stock shocks are blown after 60k miles (about 25k with H&R SS springs) so I'm looking for a replacement. Car is currently my wife's DD and she does NOT like the comfort of the stock shocks with the H&R SS. So I'm looking for a shock that will offer comfort with the H&Rs, but will need them to last.
Stock shocks are blown after 60k miles (about 25k with H&R SS springs) so I'm looking for a replacement. Car is currently my wife's DD and she does NOT like the comfort of the stock shocks with the H&R SS. So I'm looking for a shock that will offer comfort with the H&Rs, but will need them to last.
I looked at the Koni FSD when I was replacing mine and they don't support the drop of the H&R SS, so they probably won't last you that long.
I personally went with the Bilstein B8 which supports a drop up to 50mm. You are roughly at 45mm with the H&R SS. It's like night and day from stock shocks. They are firm and the car handles awesome! Only had them on for a week so can't say about the durability, but Bilstein is usually a quality product.
The downside is that you most like have to order them straight from Germany. But it is worth it compared to the delivery time offered by US vendors. I was told 10-14 weeks and I had them 10 days after ordering them in Germany via eBay.
I personally went with the Bilstein B8 which supports a drop up to 50mm. You are roughly at 45mm with the H&R SS. It's like night and day from stock shocks. They are firm and the car handles awesome! Only had them on for a week so can't say about the durability, but Bilstein is usually a quality product.
The downside is that you most like have to order them straight from Germany. But it is worth it compared to the delivery time offered by US vendors. I was told 10-14 weeks and I had them 10 days after ordering them in Germany via eBay.
abqhudson
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Just did a search for my 2013 C300. Koni says nothing for my car, Tire Rack says nothing for my car. Where do you find FSDs for our cars? Had these on my previous BMWs and I liked them a lot - where can I find for my car???
Thanks for any information.
Thanks for any information.
abqhudson, you have not only a face lift model but also 4matic. The FSD are available for the early C350 RWD vehicles.
Becksan, how was the ride comfort with the B8s in that week? The roads in FL are much more forgiving that our crater ridden ones here in MI and I'm worried the the B8s are going to be a little too harsh. The FSDs seem to be a twin tube design, while the B8s are monotube.
Becksan, how was the ride comfort with the B8s in that week? The roads in FL are much more forgiving that our crater ridden ones here in MI and I'm worried the the B8s are going to be a little too harsh. The FSDs seem to be a twin tube design, while the B8s are monotube.
I was (at one point) looking for a shock that would last with H&R springs.
I had the H&R Sport springs for about 35k miles and my oem shocks, and the shocks were already clucking after car wash or heavy rain, albeit I've only heard it once.
The ride did not seem bad with the stock 17in wheels and max summer tires though.
I had the H&R Sport springs for about 35k miles and my oem shocks, and the shocks were already clucking after car wash or heavy rain, albeit I've only heard it once.
The ride did not seem bad with the stock 17in wheels and max summer tires though.
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Becksan, how was the ride comfort with the B8s in that week? The roads in FL are much more forgiving that our crater ridden ones here in MI and I'm worried the the B8s are going to be a little too harsh. The FSDs seem to be a twin tube design, while the B8s are monotube.
Sorry I meant i got them installed a week ago! they might be too stiff for your wife if she likes a soft ride. I like being able to feel the road and know it'll grab the corners. If you have ever driving a 335 or Z4 with sport suspension then it's pretty much like those.Originally Posted by vipsa
abqhudson, you have not only a face lift model but also 4matic. The FSD are available for the early C350 RWD vehicles. Becksan, how was the ride comfort with the B8s in that week? The roads in FL are much more forgiving that our crater ridden ones here in MI and I'm worried the the B8s are going to be a little too harsh. The FSDs seem to be a twin tube design, while the B8s are monotube.
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The B8's and super sports offer the ride quality AND handling performance/feel of a sports package 335i? Minus the awesome sports package bmw seats hahaOriginally Posted by Becksan
Sorry I meant i got them installed a week ago! they might be too stiff for your wife if she likes a soft ride. I like being able to feel the road and know it'll grab the corners. If you have ever driving a 335 or Z4 with sport suspension then it's pretty much like those.
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Yeah pretty much 😁. Oh I miss those seats! You def need them when cornering as there is no support whatsoever in the darn MB seats 😣.Originally Posted by Rodpwnz
The B8's and super sports offer the ride quality AND handling performance/feel of a sports package 335i? Minus the awesome sports package bmw seats haha
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I wonder if Bilstein has any plans to offer a 2012+ 4matic shock package 

Got a response from Koni directly. The FSD are NOT to be used with lowering springs. Koni Yellows it is then.
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Nope. This is from KONIs FAQ:Originally Posted by Becksan
Doesn't the yellow only support 30mm though?
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A:...Different vehicle suspension designs have different stroke travels but a good rule of thumb is that most vehicles can be lowered acceptably about 30-40 mm, beyond that the possibility of bottoming increases rapidly although some longer stroke cars can go lower....
Originally Posted by KONI
Q:How far can I safely lower my car?A:...Different vehicle suspension designs have different stroke travels but a good rule of thumb is that most vehicles can be lowered acceptably about 30-40 mm, beyond that the possibility of bottoming increases rapidly although some longer stroke cars can go lower....
Okay I just remember looking at the Koni when I was searching for shocks and they didn't support as much as I needed. Well that'll hopefully help some other people looking for aftermarket shocks 😉




