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URS4 Suspension question: Koni Sport or Bilstein Sports??

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94URS4

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey guys. I'm currently going through the car and replacing worn mounts and parts in preparation for more power. Done all the mounts and a snub setup and now onto struts. Its came down to Koni Sports or Bilstein Sports and im not sure which one to go with. The price difference is basically $50 with the Koni's being more $$.

So what do you guys like best and have the best ride with or are they practically the same as far as ride comfort and performance goes? I have Bilstein PSS9's for my B5 and have never had any issues with Bilstein so leaning towards them but what do you guys think?

Koni or Bilstein??

http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-C4_S4-Qua ... ES2219834/

http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-C4_S4-Qua ... ks/ES4177/
 
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#2 ·
Konis. I went through two sets of Bilstein HD's in two years on the s6 avant. Both sucked water past the piston seal, the water froze (winter), suspension seized and lunched all the new components. Big fun. For my money the extra $50 is well worth it, I run Koni adjustables now and no issues. My 2 cents.
 
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#4 ·
Absolutely Bilstein IMO. Koni's are great shocks on many applications but are not stiff/robust enough for the C4 chassis in my experience. Specifically, the large-bore Bilstein fronts are far superior at controlling the heavy front ends on these cars. I've blown 2 sets of Konis on s-cars.

I run revalved Bilsteins with +10% compression, +30% rebound and they are amazing.

The freezing is an issue on the fronts, but the easy solution is drilling a tiny hole in the front strut housing for water to drain.
 
#5 ·
Good info Ed. I just had mine revalved as you probably know and I just gave them specs for my springs and the weight of the car. I think with the revalve and shorten they should last much longer this time.
 
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#6 ·
had Konis on my car when I bought it... immediately went to Bilstein with H/R 29800 springs. I would imagine with Ed's suggested revalve changes they would be even better.

As Ed mentioned, the weight of the front of the C4 is just too much (IMO as well) for the Konis...
 
#7 ·
I considered the drainage hole mod on the Bilsteins but was concerned about warrantying them if there was an issue down the line...IMO part of what you're paying for is the excellent warranty.
 
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#8 ·
You drill a hole in the strut HOUSING, not the strut.

Also, when they are revalved you lose your warranty.
 
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#11 ·
loxxrider said:
Also, when they are revalved you lose your warranty.
Click to expand...
Really? Bilstein is the one doing the revalving and they void your warranty?

Even so, still worth it. You can still send them in to be rebuilt if something happens.

Are you using sports? Why would they need shortened?
 
#12 ·
Yes, I said the same thing on the phone and they said thats just the way it is.

I am using sports. They need to be shortened to increase suspension travel at semi-low ride heights. At anything below almost all the way up on my coilovers there isn't much travel at all. Now I'll be still be at a lower ride height but my coils will be all the way up and have more travel.
 
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#13 ·
EDIGREG said:
Absolutely Bilstein IMO. Koni's are great shocks on many applications but are not stiff/robust enough for the C4 chassis in my experience. Specifically, the large-bore Bilstein fronts are far superior at controlling the heavy front ends on these cars. I've blown 2 sets of Konis on s-cars.

I run revalved Bilsteins with +10% compression, +30% rebound and they are amazing.

The freezing is an issue on the fronts, but the easy solution is drilling a tiny hole in the front strut housing for water to drain.
Click to expand...
Ed, Billstiens actually have a smaller bore/stem. The fat shiny part of the Billstein front inserts, is actually the body. The stem and puny bump stop are actually contained in the yellow part of the housing. in the case of the c3/c4/and d2 chassis, the Konies are superior.
 
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#14 ·
urs6ville said:
had Konis on my car when I bought it... immediately went to Bilstein with H/R 29800 springs. I would imagine with Ed's suggested revalve changes they would be even better.

As Ed mentioned, the weight of the front of the C4 is just too much (IMO as well) for the Konis...
Click to expand...
konies are adjustable to be much stiffer then the billstiene sports could ever hope to be(unless re valved) Have had both konies and billstiens and billstiens would be the last shock I would choose for the c3/c4/and d2 chassis. I'm not saying there bad inserts, just saying there bad design (invert) for the above mentioned chassis
 
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#16 ·
one final though on the billstiens, and I'll shut up. T
There is also an issue with lateral movement with the billstiens. The replacement hold down nut/cap that secures the insert into the strut housing has a seal that is part of it. As the inserts body ( shiny part of the insert that looks like its the stem) moves up and down, it wears the seal to the point where there is lateral movement. This eventually cause the clunking noises associated with billstiens mono tube design (inverted strut inserts only) Its just a flawed design destined to fail imho.
 
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#17 ·
yes, the lateral movement is definitely a problem. I HATE IT. Makes my car feel like a POS when I'm working on it and the whole strut can move around in that nut.
 
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Discussion starter · #18 ·
Thanks for all the input guys.
Decided to go with the Koni's.

Found them here for $543 shipped instead of $622 shipped from ECS.
http://assaultech.com/store/account/sho ... mid=101059

Now onto lowering springs. Are you guys liking the H&R's or the Eibach's (Hard to find?) better?
As for the H&R's are most of you running the Sport or Race? I'm leaning towards sport because im not looking for a really harsh ride but still want the car to hold its own in the turns.
 
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#20 ·
sadly, ive gone round and round with H&R and there junk too. There lifetime warranty is for not only materials and workmanship, but also the powder cote finish. After pulling teeth to get the broken front springs replaced, i tried having them replace the terribly rusted rears at the same time under there lifetime finish warranty....no dice :(. I would try aftermarket tuv approved springs available on eBay.de. They tend to be allot less lose and fast when it comes to the safty of suspension parts....hell all parts.
 
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INControl7
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