ProjectC55

I heard a rumor that the Koni shox's are prone to leakage and that I should stay with my Bilsteins.How many have actually experienced this and is the Bilstein truly a superior shock in comparrison( Non leak,better ride)?

I spent the money on the Koni adj and my Bilstein SP's are only 8 months old(presently on the car).I just want the rear to stop hitting the rear tires on hard launches so I chose these(Koni's) for adjustability.


Present setup: Bilstein Sp + eibach springs(prokit).

Setup sitting in House:Koni adj + H&R's

knvs

i'd go bilsteins and h&rs. I have a friend with koni's on his m3 and it has blown out on him twice, so he advised me to go with bilsteins. If i wanted the adjustablility and would actually use it often then he said go with koni's, but for everyday use and overall comfort go with bilsteins.

KWiK

I don't think the bilstein is any better than the Koni. I have had the bilstein on my C43 and the ride was down right harsh. I have no complaints about my Koni. I keep them on soft for every day driving, & then set firm when I wanna go play.

Put the Koni on, you will be glad you did...

ProjectC55

Did you have to take them out of the car to readjust them everytime?

Jon R

They are adjustable from the top of the shock (where they come through into the engine compartment, etc). You might have to peel back some of the trunk liner to get to the back ones. It's not all that hard.

The front left adjustable shock might be slightly obstructed by the throttle linkage. People recommend moving the linkage a little (I just used pliers to turn it instead of moving the linkage to allow passage for the supplied knob).

J Irwan

only for the front.

From the back you will have to take them off the car to adjust unless you send your rear one to be converted to externally adjustable.. (But last time I check it going to cost me around $97 each to do the conversion)


Regardz,

ProjectC55

I wonder what would be the ideal street settings. I really want the car to stop rubbing the rear tires on launches.I don't know if this is because of the Eibach Springs or the bilstein shock's.I bought a whole new setup to install(H&R's ,Koni adj) So what would be a good street setting for the Koni's front and rear? I'm almost ready to sell these Koni's.

J Irwan

To tell you the truth I am not 100% which setting going to prevent any rubbing on hard launch of your since.

Since you have much more power than any W202 AMG from the factory.

But I have a feeling you'd be better off with H&R spring and Koni, since H&R is definitely stiffer than Eibach and you could also adjust koni to its firmest setting on the back to test.

In any case, you should not have any rubbing issue if the rear setup correctly.
BTW what kind of tire sizing are you running ? I Am running 255/35/18 and have no rubbing problem then again my car have less thrust than your :p


Regardz,

J Irwan

ProjectC55

I have 255/35/18 in the rear on my mono's.

KWiK

No, I have the externally adjustable version

KWiK

Shocks don't cause your tires to rub. A proper fitting wheel/tire combo will not rub throughout the full range of suspension travel.

I have 255/35/18 on my W202 & don't have any rubbing issues

ProjectC55

I agree and I never directly said that the shocks would cause this issue and I know I have the right tire combo but since I put the 5.5L motor in my car, on hard launches the drivers side rear is hitting the tires.My issue is that the car is squatting and hitting the tire.

J Irwan

could you check which part of the car does the tire rub with. ?

If it rub with the bumper piece, nothing a lilttle dremel can't solve.
But if rub with the fender lip and you might need some minor rolling on the specific spot/area


Regardz,

ProjectC55

It's hitting the fender lip. I figured buying the H&R's and Koni's might help but people are saying that the Koni's leak.I think I'm gonna sell them instead of installing them.I'll just keep the bilsteins and hopefully by replacing the eibach's the H&R's will relieve the rubbing problem on hard take offs.

Highend

Konis are nice but dont last. I had them on my 540i, loved them but they were too much trouble. You can keep adjusting them too much or they break and get stuck at whatever they are at. Mine only lasted 4months then 1 of them broke and then a week later the other one broke, i was stuck with on on firm and the rest on soft, it sucked. Go with Bilstein and save yourself the headaches down the road.

ProjectC55

Bilstein it is!

J Irwan

Just FYI, even bilstein leaks too

I had E36 325 before at it least once, and my cousin E36 they leak twice.


The koni on my C36 has been on the car for 2.5 years and it doesn'e leak so far.


Anything can go bad, just depend on your luck.

Regardz,

steve s

coolcarlski... y don't u make a note on the ride quality and handling on the bilstein + eibach. swap out the springs to hr. make a note on the ride quality and handling. then swap out the bilsteins for the konis? since u have all 4 ..

all components on the suspension are separate. it should be easier to remove than a "coil-over" setup like the w203 macpherson struts.

ProjectC55

Yes ,I'm going to give that a definite try first.

steve s

let us know how that goes