Koni Yellow's Vs. Bilstein Sport Shocks

[S.F.W.]

I am trying to plan out my mods for the spring/summer. Already planning on a DP, likely CJ's in the next few days. That said, also on my list is suspension. Since I purchased the car, my inclination was to go with coils, and likely KW V2's. However, upon further pondering, coils on my old sedan were really a pain, and though I adjusted the ride height, I rarely adjusted the dampening. Thus, my thinking is now taking me back to springs + shocks.
The natural tendency is to lean towards Koni Yellow shocks, good quality, adjustable, etc. But after doing some reading, I think I am leaning towards Bilstein's. They are not adjustable, but because of the gas mono tube design, and the way they are valved, they seem like a great shock, that really go well for daily driving and some visits to the track.
Once I settle on shocks, I will also need to decide on springs. Not sure I want to go pro-kit, just feel like going with a different spring set up.

Thoughts? Suggestions ?

[CelestSpeed3]

I would go with bilstiens if your arent looking to compete with the car.



Edit: for springs look into the swift springs with both front and rear camber adjustment. This will make the car a very good compromise between street and "fun" days.

This setup is what i would run on my car, or KW V3's if you are looking to spend some money.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

I've had both, Bilstiens on my BMW and Yellows on my 3.

I honestly never adjusted my yellows once after initial installation.

Realistically I hardly ever adjust anything suspension related after I install it and I assume this is the same for most people.

[S.F.W.]

Realistically I hardly ever adjust anything suspension related after I install it and I assume this is the same for most people.

My thinking exactly. I hear tons of great things about Bilsteins from the BMW guys, and the cost difference is minor, so am 90% certain I will go that route.

[SomeGuy]

Sway bar(s)? I found doing the RSB was quite dramatic in changing the way the car handles (for the better).

[loki]

Sway bar(s)? I found doing the RSB was quite dramatic in changing the way the car handles (for the better).

Agreed

I'm trying to set up a group buy for sway bars! you interested? :)

[loki]

Realistically I hardly ever adjust anything suspension related after I install it and I assume this is the same for most people.

This is very true. Most people aren't going to be fine tuning their suspension, unless you're extremely hardcore. It's usually set once, you like it and just forget about it.

My buddy had bilsteins on his peugeot rally car and they were great. Either option, you can't go wrong really.

[PearlM3]

I had yellows and loved them, but the rears are basically non-adjustable after install, I think I changed
The front settings once. I would say go with which ever seems a better design rather than worry about adjustability, it seems to be a bit of a gimic anyway

[loki]

I had yellows and loved them, but the rears are basically non-adjustable after install, I think I changed
The front settings once. I would say go with which ever seems a better design rather than worry about adjustability, it seems to be a bit of a gimic anyway

the rears are still adjustable, but you have to take them out to adjust them, which obviously is a pain in the ass and will cost you money, but it's not impossible to do.

[S.F.W.]

Sway bar(s)? I found doing the RSB was quite dramatic in changing the way the car handles (for the better).

The RSB is not something to ignore, I agree. Will investigate this option, as an add on.

[Jon2000]

I have Bilstein Sports and Cobb springs on my MS3 + Hotchkis rear sway bar. I can't comment on how much of a difference each part made as I did them all at the same time but the ride is awesome with this combination. The ride is firm/tight but not harsh and the stance is great. My stock shocks/struts weren't even blown but the ride was bouncy and annoying when stock.

[SomeGuy]

The RSB is not something to ignore, I agree. Will investigate this option, as an add on.

I'm quite happy with the corksport one I bought. Build quality seems good (despite some reports of issues with early batches) and the three position adjustability is a bonus...the middle setting is just about perfect with the stock FSB, a smidge towards understeer unless you really go gung ho into a corner and lift off.


Agreed

I'm trying to set up a group buy for sway bars! you interested? :)

I've already got one lol probably not doing the front as I'm quite happy at what the RSB did to kill the horrible understeer in these cars stock.

[Fobio]

I'd suggest considering the JBR RSB...it's basically the same design as the Tri-Point, which is adjustable, but quite a bit cheaper.

[S.F.W.]

I'd suggest considering the JBR RSB...it's basically the same design as the Tri-Point, which is adjustable, but quite a bit cheaper.
I was just talking to Loki about the JBR RSB kit. It seems like a great value.

[loki]

I was just talking to Loki about the JBR RSB kit. It seems like a great value.

I'm looking into it as we speak

[Jon2000]

I'm looking into it as we speak

His kit uses hardened collars as well. I actually bought a set from him for my Hotchkis bar as the included collars snapped.

[MajesticBlueNTO]

His kit uses hardened collars as well. I actually bought a set from him for my Hotchkis bar as the included collars snapped.

Same here. I bought a set of Jbr collars to replace my busted tri point rsb collars

[07carbon3]

garage16 has eibach rsb on sale for $199, i dunno if sit more or less then RJB but i figured i would just mention it

[VectorForFood]

If I'm planning to track my car on a regular basis, the Yellows are best?

[VectorForFood]

I'm not really competing though with anyone but myself

[S.F.W.]

If you are tracking regularly, coil overs would be the way to go.

[MajesticBlueNTO]

If you are tracking regularly, coil overs would be the way to go.


not necessarily the case 100% of the time... most people would never use coilovers to their full advantage at the track, unless they were part of a race team or were so in tune with their car that you could tell the benefits gained from every minute adjustment

...it also depends if you plan on having a dedicated track car (KW V2 or V3 coilovers) or a daily driver with some track time (don't really need coilovers)

[Unoriginalusername]

The RSB is not something to ignore, I agree. Will investigate this option, as an add on.

+1 on the sway bars... i enjoyed them far more than the springs (went with cobb for both). the springs were to jarring for me, but sways with some better shocks and springs could work well

[speed77]

I'm on Bilstein sports with Mazdaspeed springs on my MS3. Ride is more firm than stock, but completely tolerable as a daily driver.