M030 Suggestions

[Sikest]

Ages ago I replaced the springs, struts, sway bars with a ROW M030 kit from one of the online retails like Suncoast. I loved the stance, ride quality and subtle improvement in overall handling. For me, it was the perfect setup for general canyon carving or fun days on the track while keeping the ride supple enough for my aging body.

I noticed two of my struts are leaking on my new to me 03 Boxster S but see that the M030 kit from Suncoast is now $3,400. I think I might have paid $1,800 last time. I can afford the $3,400 M030 kit but for that money it seems like I could buy just about any high quality coiler setup.

Questions:

1) Does anyone know of a retailer selling a M030 kit cheaper?
2) If not, does anyone have a good suggestion for something with similar ride height, handling characteristics and ride quality?

Thanks in advance!

[Stl-986]

m030 = Koni Sport

With that said I would contact Sunset about getting them replaced through warranty. Not sure about their kit but Koni has a lifetime warranty

[PaulE]

Sounds like this is another Boxster you have now, not the one you put the M030 kit on? I also put the Suncoast ROW M030 kit on own 2003 S 5 or 6 years orlonger ago, it was on sale for $1,900 or $2,000 then. Maybe the Koni Sports STL-986 recommends, with some H&R lowering springs and a thicker front sway bar would do the same for less money. I can tell you that the part number on the rear sway bar in the ROW M030 kit from Suncoast was the exact same part number as the rear sway bar that was on my car from the factory, so you shouldn't replace that if you are buying separate parts.

And if it's helpful, I made this ROW M030 parts list at the time I bought my kit.

[Stl-986]

I was only talking about the shocks/strut part of the m030 option. Springs, swaybar, etc obviously arent Koni's

[edc]

M030 is Bilstein not Koni.

[Stl-986]

Since when? Aren't they adjustable? Happy to be wrong but every m030 I have seen have been koni.

[edc]

Since forever. The M030 isn't adjustable.

[edc]

For the OP you could consider changing the 2 leaking dampers with B6 Bilstein.

[Stl-986]

Then my question is, is ROW M030 different then US? I know ROW is different, just dont know exactly what is different.

Been wrong before and will be in the future but always thought M030 was Koni.


Either way, I still suggest the OP get in touch with Suncoast to see what the warranty is. Never hurts to ask.

[986 Boxster]

DO NOT USE B6'S as a replacement for the RoW M030 suspension, the RoW M030 struts are a modified version of the B4's made specifically for Porsche and not sold separately, only as a kit. They are a shorter version of the B4's. The RoW M030 dampers and the US M030 dampers have exactly the same valving, the only difference is the piston length of the RoW; it is slightly shorter to accommodate the RoW M030 shorter springs.
So much misnformation going on here, I'm surprised that no one has ever contacted Bilstein about this. I contact Bilstein when I was re-doing the suspension on my car and one of the tech advisors commented on the suspension basics but would not give me any specifics on dampneng or springs rates . The closest to the ROW M030 struts are the B8's according to Bilstein.

[Stl-986]

Thanks. I stand corrected.

Think I just assumed that since porsche used Koni for m030 on older cars it was still the same.

[986 Boxster]

Yeah I think some Porsche models RoW M030 suspension were made by Koni, if I`m not mistaken the 993`s had Konis. The Konis Special Active (which replaced the FSD`s) are exactly the same height as the RoW M030 struts.
I researched for a few months before I bought my suspension.
The B8`s are the replacements for the RoW M030 struts on the 986.

[Stl-986]

I am by no means suggesting the Koni sports, especially in the rear cause you can't get to them to adjust them. FSD's are nice for a daily driver but not good on the track I think.

[911monty]

Originally Posted by Stl-986

I am by no means suggesting the Koni sports, especially in the rear cause you can't get to them to adjust them. FSD's are nice for a daily driver but not good on the track I think.

I'll just leave this here.

https://www.f1technical.net/news/13879

[Tortuga]

Originally Posted by PaulE

Sounds like this is another Boxster you have now, not the one you put the M030 kit on? I also put the Suncoast ROW M030 kit on own 2003 S 5 or 6 years orlonger ago, it was on sale for $1,900 or $2,000 then. Maybe the Koni Sports STL-986 recommends, with some H&R lowering springs and a thicker front sway bar would do the same for less money. I can tell you that the part number on the rear sway bar in the ROW M030 kit from Suncoast was the exact same part number as the rear sway bar that was on my car from the factory, so you shouldn't replace that if you are buying separate parts.

And if it's helpful, I made this ROW M030 parts list at the time I bought my kit.

I once priced the individual parts and it was cheaper than the kit - I assume they are available to buy still as individual items. I bought during a Black Friday sale and it was around 2k total IIRC.

I just installed all the bits on my 2002 s. Well, my friend did 70 percent of it, but I did the easy parts. Fantastic upgrade, although to be fair the current bits on the car we’re probably original so long over due.

[Sikest]

Thanks for all the replies. Much appreciated!