New shocks - Need new options...

[HOLEIN1]

hi all...

been saving for new shocks etc for some time now (gotta love apprentice wages!), and have finally enough to splash out thanks to Mr Tax Man...

was about to order some bilstein B8's this arvo, however have been advised not to by not only a Vw mechanic but also the distributor due to an uncomfortable ride!

suprising really as ive noticed a number of members have reccomended them

so back to square one, and need peoples suggestions on what to get, as long as there comfortable enough for a daily driver. dont really fang it much anymore, so comfort takes priority over handling.

have been told a basic BOGE or KYB will do the trick, however the pricing seems a little cheap compared to what i was expecting to spend, even when comparing to overseas prices.

will be matched up to some eibach pro (30mm drop i think) springs and a neuspeed swaybar which i already have sitting in my shed

any help appreciated, really need to make a decision ASAP, particulary if there coming from overseas..

cheers, dan

[Umai Naa!!]

KYB Excel Gs aren't bad for a small upgrade. From previous experiances, they seem to be valved more aggressively than standard (which is what they're meant to be), which makes them suitable for typical lower, firmer springs. I reckon they'd go well with the Eibach Pros.

[BI65ND]

Konis yellows always come highly recommended. Plus theyre adjustable so you can make them softer or firmer to suit what you like. I purchased them for my Bora 4mo but sold the car before I had them installed. I know theres quite a few guys running them

[McDub]

i got some KYB AGX shocks delivered from ebay for $670. matching them with H&R sport springs. going in tomorrow.
will let you know how they go but they get good reviews here, and as they are adjustable, you can make em softer if you want

[Manaz]

goodfella has B8s in his car, and it's certainly not too hard!

BOGE are the OEM for the standard shocks I think. You won't get any better than standard ride on them.

KYBs aren't that special either.

I'd be inclined to go Bilstein or Konis.

[McDub]

what ever happend to your spring thread, you get your bilstein springs sorted?
/hijack

[Manaz]

what ever happend to your spring thread, you get your bilstein springs sorted?
/hijack

Currently being dealt with, yep.

[TazzyVR6]

I can vouch for Bilstien B8s with Eibach Prokit springs, it's what I run...

[HOLEIN1]

goodfella has B8s in his car, and it's certainly not too hard!

I can vouch for Bilstien B8s with Eibach Prokit springs, it's what I run...

well i was pretty much about to buy some B8's, and mentioned them to two mechanics when i was booking the car in for a service and they said that there great shocks, but are very firm! really dont want to go to the bother of importing some only to be unhappy with them...

what about the bilstein B4 or B6 options?

thanks for the comments so far

dan

[TazzyVR6]

My understanding is that B4's are standard replacement, so you wont get any handling improvement but it wont be any harder. If replacement is all your worried about then maybe some B6's? The only way to really tell if you will like them or not is to find someone who has B4s/B6s/B8s and go for a ride with them.
But I drive my car every day...
PS if your going to stick harder springs and a rsb in your going to make your car stiffer anyway

[Manaz]

Shocks are only half the issue - the other issue is springs.

Springs control how your car absorbs bumps - shocks (they're really called dampers, because they dampen, or control the speed, of movement, expansion in particular) control how the car adjusts after the impact has been absorbed.

[HOLEIN1]

ok well it seems that its either out of the Bilsteins of KYB's, however having a little trouble working out what is what on tire track...

take it that these are the B8's

Front:
Bilstein Sport Strut

Rear:
Bilstein Sport Shock

And the B6's are...

Front:
Bilstein HD Strut

Rear:
Bilstein HD Shock

sorry to be seem like a dumbass, there seem to be a few with the 'Sport' and 'HD" titles... not sure what is what...

if anyone who has purchased either the B6 or B8's could provide ecxact part numbers that would be great

[TazzyVR6]

I purchased sports (AKA B8s), I believe HDs are the B6s

[gavs]

I am running the KYB AGX in my car and on the stiffest setting they are quite firm, but I just leave them on that setting as I am used to it now. After running Bilsteins, Konis, my own KYBs, Tokico, Tein etc (there are so many brands that we have tested!) on our shock absorber dyno at work, we found that the KYBs stood up better than both the Koni and Bilsteins in both fade and overall damping control (the bilsteins have a habit of leaking too.....). This is what sold me on my purchase of the AGX shocks and after 12 months of use, they are now bedded in and performing brilliantly.

Be warned that after some research with other damper stockists, we have found that the majority of the general "consumer" based product, i.e. not coilovers etc, are coming out of massive factories in China for the run-of-the-mill Bilstein products and after spending 4 days in "state of the art" Chinese factories last week, I would be VERY wary of buying these products.

Have a look at the photos in the Amarok section that I posted showing the twin-strut and twin-shock setups on the Dakar vehicles, these Bilsteins come from this factory and you can clearly see the leaking oil from them.....

Please don't get me wrong, I'm not bad-mouthing Bilstein, they make phenominally brilliant products, but only from the middle to upper end of their product range, not the mass produced, lower end stuff anymore, which is disappointing. We have Bilstein shocks off a TRD Hilux here with Made In China stamped in the side of the body....