Eibach/Koni vs. Bilstein PSS10 for a street setup

[911Fiddler]

You sure those aren't parts of the titanic? Wonder why they can just powder coat them or something.
Agree though, it's all about the shocks.

Yes. Worst of it is the loss of chrome on the damper capsule. I can blast off the sliders and put POR-15 on but those dampers are scrap.
So sad, given their performance was so good, albeit short lived.

[T.J.]

Yes. Worst of it is the loss of chrome on the damper capsule. I can blast off the sliders and put POR-15 on but those dampers are scrap.
So sad, given their performance was so good, albeit short lived.

Do you have the original receipt? You could try Bilstein’s lifetime warranty. I would not say the dampers are scrap, you could do the following, then blast and powder coat https://youtu.be/bNGd4eBoKtk

[Obioban]

Do you have the original receipt? You could try Bilstein’s lifetime warranty. I would not say the dampers are scrap, you could do the following, then blast and powder coat https://youtu.be/bNGd4eBoKtk

Their warranty department is currently closed for Covid.
i have a friend trying to swap out 2 campers that failed with ~30,000 miles on them and he is SOL.

[911Fiddler]

Do you have the original receipt? You could try Bilstein’s lifetime warranty. I would not say the dampers are scrap, you could do the following, then blast and powder coat https://youtu.be/bNGd4eBoKtk

Been into that...
-there is no lifetime warranty, it’s turned out to be a myth, which was different to what I originally understood.
-even though I’d discussed my faults directly with Bilstein UK within the warranty period by the time I’d uncovered the mess I was outside.
-Bilstein UK made a bad job if one rebuild some time back, with different left to right calibration of the adjuster wheel, so no way would I pay them for a rebuild.

They have a basic quality problem. Inadequate material choice and probably design. It’s been obvious for a long time. I had less usage out if mine than should reasonably be expected. 30k miles.

[911Fiddler]

https://youtu.be/wRgvZc3J1hA

[WoGGo]

So if replacing OE suspension with the Koni Sport (Yellow), would all the OE hardware still be applicable?

Anything from this (rear shock) FCP Euro list not necessary any more, or some thing you would upgrade/do differently?

[Albino09]

So if replacing OE suspension with the Koni Sport (Yellow), would all the OE hardware still be applicable?

Anything from this (rear shock) FCP Euro list not necessary any more, or some thing you would upgrade/do differently?

Unless you think your bolts are in bad shape, you can probably buy the RSM Meyle HD kit (includes reinforcement plates I believe) they have and get everything you need. I would recommend ordering new bump stops, and wish I had ordered them when I did my suspension. Even the latest E46 has 14-yr old foam at this point, so they're all shot. I put in Koni's with their Meyle kit and had no issues with install, the rears are especially easy on these cars. The only place you can upgrade is a different RSM such as the Rogue mounts which allow for shock removal without interior disassembly, or a monoball mount which some folks have given positive reviews of.

[jvit27]

Get a TCK SA kit with 350/500 springs. Will ride better than anything mentioned.

I would recommend getting Ohlins, I have them on my 335i and just got Koni Yellow/Eibach on my E46 M3. It's a good setup but I keep imagining how the Ohlins would be on the E46.

Maybe don't recommend something you haven't even tried, especially when it contradicts exactly what the OP said in the first post..?

[EthanolTurbo]

Get a TCK SA kit with 350/500 springs. Will ride better than anything mentioned.



Maybe don't recommend something you haven't even tried, especially when it contradicts exactly what the OP said in the first post..?

I just said I have them on another car, it's not a stretch considering I own the dampers on the following 3 series. The dampers are extremely well made. I've also driven them on an Evo 9. I'm recommending them because Ohlins are top tier dampers and you can always get them revalved to be more comfortable.

[yhp2009]

Anyone actually drive in big cities like NYC using these setups? Wondering if its a mistake to get our cars lowered in such environments

[0-60motorsports]

Such a variety of opinions on this one & different to my experiences. (...its all about the shocks, not the coils, tried fresh OE Sachs, then hated the Koni, then found the PSS10 totally superb)
So its PSS10, but they need corrosion protection at installation, especially greasing up the rear damping adjusters. Photo of mine after 3 winters.

Oh wow! That is nasty only after 3 winters. I am thinking of getting the PSS10 and if i do i'll be taking them straight to the powdercoaters to coat.

[0-60motorsports]

A great thread, I was looking for feedback on PSS10's, So my Story is that I have been on GC Da's for almost 7-10 years and they were great, until first the rear shocks started leaking and then the fronts. The rears were an easy replacement from GC but the fronts a whole different story. They sent me wrong shocks twice and after so much back and forth I installed the last set of front shocks which i went from DA to SA's as I was done with the complication. Well now the fronts make a weird sound like the springs are turning and not sitting snug. We cant figure it out even though the GC camber plates were rebuilt and good as new. I am so glad I never returned the original DA shocks to GC, maybe i ca send them for a rebuild to Koni and or Fatcat Motorsports.

Any way, I am thinking of changing coilovers and going for a commercial setup that has easy and quick replacement and or rebuild services, Choices are KW V2/V3 with GC/TMS camber plates, PSS10 with GC/TMS camber plates or Fortune auto 500 9/11kg springs. I am leaning towards the PSS10 or Fortune Auto 500. What would your advice be for someone who feels he is getting older and wants to enjoy a nice tight yet not too uncomfortable ride on the street and step in for an occasional lap or three of the Bahrain F1 Circuit.

[r4dr]

Any shop that rebuilds Konis can rebuild GC. PSI in Sonoma is one, True Choice is another. Honestly I wouldn’t bother having GC rebuild them.

[timmo]

GC won't actually rebuild them - when I called and asked, they said to reach out to any of the shops that rebuild Konis

[R60BBA]

Have you considered KW V2s OP?