rporter Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 There is a reason Ohlins and Bilsieins aren't cheap. You get what you pay for. Using that logic, Goodyear and Michelin tires would be the best because they cost more for comparable tires. Back in another car group I was in, Bilsteins were a factory and repacement shock. They are fine, but overpriced a bit. Especially seem to be so for JDM Subaru parts. I agree with the previous comment about adjustability. Plus, with all else equal, I would pick Koni or Tokico (or even KYB AGX) over any Bilstein. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bosco Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 Using that logic, Goodyear and Michelin tires would be the best because they cost more for comparable tires. Back in another car group I was in, Bilsteins were a factory and repacement shock. They are fine, but overpriced a bit. Especially seem to be so for JDM Subaru parts. I agree with the previous comment about adjustability. Plus, with all else equal, I would pick Koni or Tokico (or even KYB AGX) over any Bilstein. Stay Stock Stay Happy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 Using that logic, Goodyear and Michelin tires would be the best because they cost more for comparable tires. Back in another car group I was in, Bilsteins were a factory and repacement shock. They are fine, but overpriced a bit. Especially seem to be so for JDM Subaru parts. I agree with the previous comment about adjustability. Plus, with all else equal, I would pick Koni or Tokico (or even KYB AGX) over any Bilstein. Speaking of tires, Goodyears do not seem to be very expensive compared to other brands. Besides tires are not a good example, because each manufacturer has cheapo tires and expensive tires. Sure, there are exceptions to "what you get is what you pay for", and some stuff may seem overpriced, but I find this rule very consistently true in most areas. And about dampers... well, everybody is entitled to have their opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rporter Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 With just about every automotive supplier, what they provide for OEM is not the same product or quality as what they sell in the aftermarket, be it struts, tires, brakes, or stereo gear. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucas569 Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 hey unclemat, how does one source the Bilsteins? can they only be had used? (who sells them new/used? links?) exactly which parts would i need for a LGT sedan if i got pinks/bilsteins? (tophats,etc???) ive read the heck out of these forums and im leaning towards that combo..... whats the avarage price for a used set of bilsteins? new price? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 Members sometimes sell used... New GT Rev. C / USDM SpecB can be bought via any dealer. You only need front Bilstein-specific top hats, spring seats, dust caps and dust boots. Rear seats/top hats can be reused. Maybe dust boots, too, not sure. A member is selling a set right now: http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49654 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hadvw Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 With just about every automotive supplier, what they provide for OEM is not the same product or quality as what they sell in the aftermarket, be it struts, tires, brakes, or stereo gear. Agreed - I just hope Bilstein's OEM stuff is BETTER than their aftermarket stuff. Have had TERRIBLE experiences with Bilsten HD struts, and to some extent, PSS9 coilovers. Had the HD struts on a '90 GTI. Also know who I sold the car to, and who he sold the car to, etc. About every 2-3 years, struts leaked badly, requiring a replacement. After two replacements, place I bought from went out of business. Had PSS9 coilovers for a Corrado VR6. Worked pretty well, but after ~3 years, one of the coilovers was leaking and needed to be rebuilt. Mind you, I did take the Corrado snow-ralllying and got airborne a few times, so I'm not too upset about that one.. On the other hand, they do advertise them as suitable for "a weekend of competition"... But, my experience with 3-4 sets of Bilstein struts? Terrible. My brother-in-law says he had OEM Konis from VW in his ~'80 Rabbit, and they were great. I think I'd prefer to give Konis a try over buying Bilsteins (as far as struts), regardless of their "stellar" reputation. HV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 Remains to be seen, sure. Good number of people runs Bilsteins, often not new from the begining, and we yet need to hear a report of failure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rougeben83 Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 Also remember, that adjustability is only worth it if you know how to setup suspension. Otherwise it's just one more thing to screw up on the car that'll just make you slower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bosco Posted December 26, 2006 Share Posted December 26, 2006 ^ well said, KISS. bosco Stay Stock Stay Happy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suds2250 Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 Also remember, that adjustability is only worth it if you know how to setup suspension. Otherwise it's just one more thing to screw up on the car that'll just make you slower. For sure, but the typical Koni insert setup (I don't know about Tokico's) adjusts for rebound only. There is a dial that has a range of about ten clicks. If the ride is too soft, it can be firmed up for more spirited driving in a matter of seconds. I don't think that's as intimidating as a coilover that may offer rebound, compression, ride hieght, and spring preload adjustability. I would recomend reading Koni's website. There is a ton of info about their products. They should be well worth the wait. 335HP/360Tq VF-22/1820 clone with Meth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rougeben83 Posted December 27, 2006 Share Posted December 27, 2006 For sure, but the typical Koni insert setup (I don't know about Tokico's) adjusts for rebound only. There is a dial that has a range of about ten clicks. If the ride is too soft, it can be firmed up for more spirited driving in a matter of seconds. I don't think that's as intimidating as a coilover that may offer rebound, compression, ride hieght, and spring preload adjustability. I would recomend reading Koni's website. There is a ton of info about their products. They should be well worth the wait. Oh no, I was referring to the mindset of some owners that coilovers are the *only* option for a suspension. The adjustability and rebuildable nature of the coilover is what you're paying for, not to just say you have coilovers. If you can't properly setup the coilover according to the driving conditions, or know someone who can do it for you, I don't really think it's a worthwhile investment; there are more bad coilover experiences that are attributed to improper setup than any other reason IMO. Now Koni inserts are a pretty good middle ground in terms of adjustability while maintaining some OEM features. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emlevins Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Bump - any news on these yet? 05 SWP Legacy GT Limited (aka "Pearl")- 5MT AP - Stage 2 Protuned (238/284) - wife driven 07 BMW 335xi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wcbjr Posted January 8, 2007 Share Posted January 8, 2007 It's not 2008 yet, only 2007. I forgot what I was supposed to remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattg Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 I emailed them the other day. I'll let you guys know what they say this time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wcbjr Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 And? I forgot what I was supposed to remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robinlsb Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 Also remember, that adjustability is only worth it if you know how to setup suspension. Otherwise it's just one more thing to screw up on the car that'll just make you slower. Truer words are seldom said. It is very easy to make a genuine pearl into a genuine swine with suspension mods! "Belief does not make truth. Evidence makes truth. And belief does not make evidence." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rporter Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 To a point. If you do track days, and live in the snow belt with very rough, frost-heaved and potholed roads, havig Konis and going from full Soft on the street to full Hard on the track only helps out the situation. I also had aluminum subframe bushings and full subframe connectors welded in, so I needed all the help I could get in the "softer ride" department! Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattg Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 And? they never emailed me back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_m Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 ...not lookin good... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suds2250 Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 I heard from Koni it will be early spring before anything happens. They were waiting for the final green light from Holland. I'm tired of waiting. Just bought some JDM spec b bilsteins w/ prova springs. 335HP/360Tq VF-22/1820 clone with Meth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crash Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 you heard that directly from them? Who, when? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suds2250 Posted January 28, 2007 Share Posted January 28, 2007 you heard that directly from them? Who, when? See post #161 for the email update I recieved from Lee in November. 335HP/360Tq VF-22/1820 clone with Meth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KartRacerBoy Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 I'm tired of reading about Bilstein HDs. I want adjustable damping but I don't want coilovers. Koni, get off your spring perch and sell these damn things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rporter Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 +1!! Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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