Author Topic: Daily driver shocks (Read 6420 times)

oldtimer · « **on:** October 01, 2007, 08:43:06 AM »

I don't want to bring up an old thread but I am in need of new shocks on my daily driver and soon to be dropped as well. Which shocks would be ideal for daily driver?

Febi Guibo · « **Reply #1 on:** October 01, 2007, 09:57:20 AM »

dropped = lowered?

bilstein sports, koni's are popular.

oldtimer · « **Reply #2 on:** October 01, 2007, 11:55:23 AM »

sorry, yes lowered just to get the ground affect and alittle better handling

asubimmer · « **Reply #3 on:** October 01, 2007, 12:40:03 PM »

I would go w/ bilstein sports. I have some bav auto springs if you are interested.

RED IS 91 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 01, 2007, 06:11:49 PM »

Quote from: asubimmer;34693

I would go w/ bilstein sports. I have some bav auto springs if you are interested.

I wonder how those would work with my bilstein touring

asubimmer · « **Reply #5 on:** October 01, 2007, 11:24:01 PM »

great I would think

KenC · « **Reply #6 on:** October 01, 2007, 11:54:02 PM »

Quote from: RED IS 91;34717

I wonder how those would work with my bilstein touring

the tourings aren't valved for lowering/sport springs.

RED IS 91 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 02, 2007, 01:05:59 PM »

Quote from: KenCopperwheat;34747

the tourings aren't valved for lowering/sport springs.

I know that but I wonder what would happen if you did it

In the old days they cut the springs to lower a car and I assume they used the same shocks.
Has anyone done a set of lowering springs with stock shocks?:confused:

318idol · « **Reply #8 on:** October 02, 2007, 01:19:26 PM »

If you value the fillings in your teeth and like your gauges to remain in your dash, STAY AWAY FROM BILSTEIN SPORTS. If you going to track the car, maybe. But day-to-day they are too stiff at low speeds around town. Trust me on this.

Koni's, while more expensive, are a much better way to go. Plus you can adjust them.

BMW owners have been brainwashed about Bilstein Sports.

Gary

asubimmer · « **Reply #9 on:** October 02, 2007, 01:27:08 PM »

bilstein > koni

thats true for either dd or track. They are deff not too much for dd at ALL. They ride very well and are just an all around great shock.

Trust ME on this...
I have tons of first hand experience and even the best in the BMW market agree. Some ppl think koni's are better but its because of the brainwash marketing of the user adjustability. Bilsteins self adjust so they can handle all road conditions not just one like the koni's. W/ koni's you can only set it up for like a smooth or rough road, not both.

Don't get me qrong, they are both nice shocks. But bilsteins are just superior and cheaper.

D. Clay · « **Reply #10 on:** October 02, 2007, 06:22:08 PM »

I have Bilstein Tourings with lowering springs. The rates are 165-265. They are Tokico springs I bought used. The springs aren't real stiff and it's a pretty well balanced setup. Also running stronger front bar. It's a good street setup. I go to the track also and park in the parking lot.

silverblades181 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 02, 2007, 08:55:07 PM »

Bilstein Sport and H&R Sport springs. Very liveable in the street, also great for the occasional track day.

KenC · « **Reply #12 on:** October 02, 2007, 09:24:54 PM »

Quote from: silverblades181;34811

Bilstein Sport and H&R Sport springs. Very liveable in the street, also great for the occasional track day.

+1

Bilstein Sports are NOT too harsh for a daily driver. I ran them for 5 years on my previous e30.

I'm installing them on my new IS soon.

318idol · « **Reply #13 on:** October 03, 2007, 02:07:27 AM »

Okay...so we can all agree to disagree. But as one who has built two magazine BMW project cars, and know the marketing and technical folks at Bilstein and Konis, I'll just say that the Koni's are more liveable on the street at slower, urban speeds, over rough surfaces.

If you drove two identical e30s, back to back, one with Billy sports, the other with Koni's -- you could, as they say, feel the difference.

For another opinion, check out http://www.bimmerhaus.com in Colorado. Owner Bob Tunnell has won 10 national SCCA autocross titles in e30s and e36s -- all on Konis. He's forever removing Billys and replacing them with Koni's for customers.

Both are excellent shocks, don't get me wrong. But for day-to-day driving, the Koni's are more supple around town. It's a fact. You might prefer Bilsteins and think they are okay for YOU, but don't tell me the ride is as comfortable as Bilsteins. They are not.

Cheers, Gary

e9nine · « **Reply #14 on:** October 03, 2007, 08:37:41 AM »

I have had identical m42s with the same spring rates on GCs. One car had Koni SAs and the other Bilstein Sports. I noticed the difference, my buddies noticed the difference and my non-car enthusiasts buddies and ladies noticed the difference as well in daily driving conditions.

We will have to agree to disagree, there's a reason why options exist in the market. :cool: No one shock is better than the other per se. It's all up to what valving you want and intended application.