Anyone tried the new Koni FSD struts?

[911monty]

Originally Posted by Deadeye

I put a set on my wife's 06 bmw wagon grocery getter. After a year and a half, one of the rears started pissing out fluid. Switched to Bilsteins and no problems after 3 years. YMMV

Seems QC and handling is a lost art nowadays. Hopefully I'll get better results on my Porsche golf cart. I opened a case with my FSDs when they arrived when the shaft was stuck completely through the original box! Somewhere between the Koni factory and the sellers warehouse they received some really special handling. The struts were well packed with expandable foam so it took a real blow to cause that damage. Of course I've watched my skis being tossed 15 feet at the airport, and that was right in front of me! So nothing surprises me any more. I did a very careful inspection with magnification, especially the shaft but found only a minor paint scratch, no dent, on the body of 1 where a spring perch made contact and rubbed. Based on the struts positions in the box I don't believe any contact was made to the polished surfaces but the seller agreed to cover if they fail.

Oh and when I put the Bilsteins on my BMW one had completely lost it's N2 charge right out of the box so seems no one is immune.

[fredd5r]

I have the bilstein shocks also and I must say that they are stiff but not uncomfortable. Handling is good on rough roads and ride is more controlled.

[911monty]

Originally Posted by fredd5r

I have the bilstein shocks also and I must say that they are stiff but not uncomfortable. Handling is good on rough roads and ride is more controlled.

Thanks, your response is the paradigm that Koni is trying to overcome! At risk of sounding like paid advertisement (which unfortunately I am not) what if you could have increased handling and a better ride? Porsche obviously thinks there are buyers since they went to the expense to develop the PASM system using computers to control the dampers. However these may not be attractive to the used market buyer having to potentially spend large amounts to maintain these systems. The FSD is able to make internal adjustments based on the frequency of the event, And makes this technology available for our generation cars. Do you give up race car handling? The Vodafone McLaren F1 racing team apparently didn't think so as indicated in the attached. And if it was good for the McLaren F1 team I'd think it would be sufficient for me.

F1 2010: Koni dampers - Racecar Engineering

[edc]

My FSDs have been sitting in my garage since the turn of the year.

[edc]

I am in UK so already have what you call ROW M030 on my 550 Anniversary. I already have rear adjustable toe links. With the new parts I already posted and the arms/bushes already being done I am not expecting anything else to be needed.

[WillH]

I should be getting mine soon :dance:

Anyone else having problems with this site?

[WillH]

Got them yesterday afternoon. Will try to find time to install this weekend.

[WillH]

Fronts are in. I'll save the review for when the backs compliment the front but so far after a ten mile blast

[WillH]

Update, finished rear install yesterday afternoon but battery was low from leaving trunk open all day with keys in... Battery charged over night.
Morning run for pastries, what a difference. I'll give the new springs a week to settle and get it aligned.
Initial impression is crashiness is gone and ride is firm. I think upgraded sways might be in the cards though.

[edc]

What are you comparing to? What was on the car before?

[WillH]

Originally Posted by edc

What are you comparing to? What was on the car before?

Stock setup. I'm thinking the Row M030 spring rate vs dampening rate is my issue. Big hits are taken care of very nicely but smaller imperfections not so much. They probably would work better with softer/more progressive springs is my thinking.

YMMV but at this time of year here, most of the roads have frost damage and haven't been repaired yet, same roads I been blasting with the VW running yellows and Eibach that takes it all in stride.

[edc]

I've run standard S (58k), brand new M030, old M030 (105k) and new FSD/H&R. You do feel the edges more with different springs. I'm sure the ride will be more comfortable with a softer spring.

[Cunningr]

Originally Posted by edc

I've run standard S (58k), brand new M030, old M030 (105k) and new FSD/H&R. You do feel the edges more with different springs. I'm sure the ride will be more comfortable with a softer spring.

So what is your opinion on set up for a Euro Boxster S with the standard suspension, to flatten it out more in curves, but not stiffen it too much?

How would the FSD work with stock springs, and maybe a stiffer sway bar?

[edc]

I haven't tried all combinations but if you want something firmer than standard with more damping control then the FSD works well. I think it has a greater range than an M030 damper. My FSD are paired with my M030 ARBs or sways as you call them and the M030 spec -10mm progressive H&R spring. This seems to work well for me and is at the right place on the performance Vs value spectrum.

Having previously tried new M030 I wanted to try something different. It's not that the M030 on my old car didn't work it's just that I'm curious and like to try something different. I haven't yet tried it on one of my week long Alps or Pyrenees trips but it handles and rides better than M030 for me.

[Cunningr]

Originally Posted by edc

I haven't tried all combinations but if you want something firmer than standard with more damping control then the FSD works well. I think it has a greater range than an M030 damper. My FSD are paired with my M030 ARBs or sways as you call them and the M030 spec -10mm progressive H&R spring. This seems to work well for me and is at the right place on the performance Vs value spectrum.

Having previously tried new M030 I wanted to try something different. It's not that the M030 on my old car didn't work it's just that I'm curious and like to try something different. I haven't yet tried it on one of my week long Alps or Pyrenees trips but it handles and rides better than M030 for me.

I am curious but lack enough funds to experiment. I have a turbo ford mondeo titanum my wife complains constantly about the ride being to firm, I love so makes a dilema. I want to keep her happy but stiffen the car up, want to do a long road trip from Seville up to northern spain and back, so need to keep it tame.

[WillH]

Update.
The FSDs performed as advertised even if I’m not convinced that the ROW M030 spring rates are a good match. But having left the car outside in -10C all day before my commute back home, I have to emphasize that these are not good in the cold. If you don’t drive in those temperatures or colder, than you will likely be happy with these. For my money, when I do it again, I’ll be going with the sports.

[Boxstard]

Originally Posted by WillH

Update.
The FSDs performed as advertised even if I’m not convinced that the ROW M030 spring rates are a good match. But having left the car outside in -10C all day before my commute back home, I have to emphasize that these are not good in the cold. If you don’t drive in those temperatures or colder, than you will likely be happy with these. For my money, when I do it again, I’ll be going with the sports.

What makes FSD to perform worse than other shocks, especially those typical non-adjustable?

You will pick Sports next time so you can adjust softer for winter (assuming you are not already softest for summer)?

I'm considering FSD now and I daily drive mine through Michigan winter so cold performance is a factor.

[WillH]

The compliance is greatly diminished. It turns into a teeth and car rattler. I assume it has to do with the crossover valving/viscosity. Worse than regular shocks and cold.