Bilstein or Koni

[TazzyVR6]

Hey all. I'm looking at getting some coilovers from the USA seeing as the dollar is so good atm. I'm looking at getting either a set of Bilstein PSS or Koni coilovers. The PSS are $1049US from MJM and the Koni are around $1220US with a top rubber mount kit. I'd also add a 25 or 28mm Neuspeed RSB to the package. The Koni's are also available in a package with a 28mm sway which seems like a very good deal.

http://www.mjmautohaus.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=2_6_17_45_180_5094

I'm looking to lower around 20-30mm and looking at better handling rather than a big drop. The car feels a bit spongy/wobbly atm imo.
My question is, which would be better to get, is there much local backup if I need to get them serviced? And I want to keep a decent ride quality as this is my daily, so has anyone ridden in a mk4 with these?
Atm I'm leaning towards the Koni's with full rebuild kit and a 25mm rsb...

[gregozedobe]

Generally speaking Oz importers are more likely to help you out with problems, warranty etc if you buy locally. If you buy overseas they get no money from the original sale, so are quite within their rights to direct you back to wherever you bought them.

Something to consider when buying overseas because it is cheaper (and yes, I buy from O/S frequently, but if I want local support I buy locally)

[TazzyVR6]

Generally speaking Oz importers are more likely to help you out with problems, warranty etc if you buy locally. If you buy overseas they get no money from the original sale, so are quite within their rights to direct you back to wherever you bought them.

Something to consider when buying overseas because it is cheaper (and yes, I buy from O/S frequently, but if I want local support I buy locally)

Yeah I know they wouldn't be obligated to help out with warranty, I would have to send them back overseas for that, I mean if they needed servicing due to general wear/non-warranty work. I assume Pedders would be able to service biltein coils etc.

[gregozedobe]

For an answer you can rely on you really need to ask the distributors direct. IIRC some companies refuse to have anything whatsoever to do with "grey imports" (products imported privately), others are quite happy to take anyone's money

[Gravey]

If you were getting them serviced I doubt they'd know where you got them from - the product numbers are the same. In the end why would someone turn down business?

For me the money I saved buying from the US I will be out in front even if I needed to buy 2 new shocks or have them serviced.

Just remember to calculate import costs into your total

[Tim]

Im more of a bilstein fan myself. They just seem to have mastered the nice ride over high frequency small bumps combined with excellent performance when things get a bit more serious.

Im not sure I would go for the PSS model though. It is a fair bit more expensive but I think i would move up to something with adjustable damping like the PSS9 or PSS10s

[seangti]

Out of curiousity, why do you think coilovers are the way to go? Why not do either a bilstein or Koni strut spring combo?? With the koni (not sure about teh bilstein) you can get adjustable dampers and the desired ride height.

[TazzyVR6]

Out of curiousity, why do you think coilovers are the way to go? Why not do either a bilstein or Koni strut spring combo?? With the koni (not sure about teh bilstein) you can get adjustable dampers and the desired ride height.

I'd been considering getting eibach pro kit springs and bilstein b8 shocks and after looking around it is only a couple of hundred dollars difference so I figured I might as well go for the better all round package. But lets not start anything here like the thread I found the other night using the search function on why people choose to spend so much money on their suspension

Im more of a bilstein fan myself. They just seem to have mastered the nice ride over high frequency small bumps combined with excellent performance when things get a bit more serious.

Im not sure I would go for the PSS model though. It is a fair bit more expensive but I think i would move up to something with adjustable damping like the PSS9 or PSS10s

I do like the look of the Bilstein coilovers perhaps more than the Koni but the Koni seem to be very good value and easily adjustable. I'll get a quote for both with a suspension refresh kit, APR TIP and Neuspeed 25mm rsb and see what they come back with.

[seangti]

hahha, didn't know there was one of "those" threads getting around. It's just that a handful of mates that have had coilovers on road cars have all sworn they wouldn't do it again. Tasmanian roads aren't exactly the smoothest.

[TazzyVR6]

Yeah I don't think the roads around where I'm going to be going are too bad. The midlands hwy between the north and south is probably the worst that I would have to travel on once every two months or so and that is really bad right now. But it's just something I'd like to do, I've got the money to do it, so I'm going to give it a go.

[Manaz]

Koni have a bit of a mixed reputation. I've just had PSS9s put on my car, and am very happy with them.

When it comes to a choice between struts/springs and coilovers, you can't really say that one is better in all conditions than the other - each have their particular strengths and weaknesses, and I'd do (and did do!) some significant research before committing one way or the other - there's nothing better than being an informed customer.