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Feedback please - Koni Special active suspension - shock absorbers

J

Jpeck

PCGB Member
Member
Hi Everyone
The standard Monroe factory fitted shock absorbers on my 1995 - 993 C2 Coupe have worn out.
They ( and the car ) have done almost 55,000 miles, so not bad service for shock absorbers, I am told.
The car is running on 18" Turbo twist wheels with Pirelli P zeros.
I have decided against Bilstein B6 shocks because they are likely to be too hard / firm on B roads , for my liking, given the reduced tyre sidewall depth I have with the 18" wheels ( 16" were standard).
I am looking at Koni Special Active ( special active suspension / with frequency selective damping) .
Has anyone in the club with a 993 C2 fitted these Konis?
Has anyone fitted these Konis to a 993 on 18" wheels?
If so, I would be grateful for any feedback you can give as to their abilities and characteristics when driving in a spirited way, and also importantly, when driving on the average lumpy / bumpy 'B' roads.
I am not interested in racing, or tracking, so I am looking for shocks which give stability to the car when having fun and when it is pressed on normal roads ...and at the same time I am looking for a comfortable ride on the average UK 'B' road when touring.
Any feedback you can give will be very much appreciated
Many thanks
Rob Peck
R7 - Yorkshire East

 
Rob, yes I fitted Koni FSDs to my 1996C4 a few years ago. Like you I wanted them for pushing-on on twisty roads and coping with bumps and holes in typical roads. Although I’ve done the occasional track day that’s not my main driving pleasure. I also wanted the car to be comfortable enough for my wife to enjoy the journeys!


in my view they have been a complete success. If I needed to replace them I’d definitely buy the same again. The change from the original Monroes was a huge improvement (although I’d really tried to get far too much from them at approx 75k miles)


One difference is my car is on 17” wheels with Michelin ps2s. I did have a loan set of 18” for a couple of weeks while mine were refurbished and I didn’t get on with them, but they had some dubious tyres on them so probably not a valid test.


Anyway, I really recommend the Konis.
 
Hi Mark
Good of you to reply so quickly.
Thanks for the feedback.
Very much appreciated.
I understand your thoughts on 18" wheels. They look great ...but you definitely need good tyres on them
and I find the P-zeros work really well. The wheels also have to be balanced correctly front and rear....and a full 'all wheel alignment' carried out, with adjustments made as required.
Is your car running on standard springs ...or do you have a lowered set?
Regards
Rob Peck
 
Hi Rob

I changed my Targa (17" Wheels) to these due to 1 rear leaking back in 2019 just weeks before going to the Isle of Man with PCGB
I also changed the Top Mounts and Drop Links as same time
Was a very different feel but anything moving from stock original after 20 years would.
Took me a few runs of the de-restricted Mountain Roads before putting my foot down and doing 100mph+
Can't fault them.

Graham


Here is my post on here from 2020


Re: Porsche 993 suspension upgrade options Thursday, June 25, 2020 8:24 PM (permalink)? Helpful

I had a quote from Swindon after 1 of my rears decided to leak. Not bad for 23 years
The cost for 2 rears was expensive as really needed all 4 doing
I asked questions here, Gert http://www.carnewal.com/Suspension
And Chris at Center Gravity as my car had been there a few years earlier
They all recommend the new Koni Active Dampers
https://www.koni.com/en-US/Cars/Technology/ACTIVE_Technology/
No need to replace the springs as they are bullet proof. Also changed the 2 rear drop links as they wouldn't come off
Brought mine from Design 911 as quickest option at the time as I had 3 weeks before the club trip to the Isle of Man
Did take a few hours to adjust after 16 years on the old original suspension but soon got to learn it at 125mph etc in the de restricted areas on the Island
Had them fitted by my local indi and had to ring around to find someone to redo the suspension. Center Gravity were fully booked and ended in at OPC Reading as Swindon and Silverstone had a 6 week lead time
Worth a look thou as really enjoy it. There are other members here that have also used these too
Good Luck




 
Hi Graham
Good to hear from you.
Thank you very much for responding.
Good to know that your car on the Konis still feel safe at 100mph+
That certainly helps my understanding a lot!
My question would be - do you find also them compliant on the 'B' roads, where the surfaces can be rough, with occasional pot holes?
Let me know will you please ...just to complete the picture
Regards
Rob Peck


 
Hi Rob
Think my car was around 55K Miles too when I had to change them. Had the car 20 years now on just on 61K
Mine being a Targa there is more body roll movement anyway but don't really notice any issues even when having to make avoiding manoeuvres for Pot holes at last minute etc
The Active Dampers do feel different and you do get use to them as the act differently to normal ones.
Most of my driving is A & B Roads as much more fun
Here is the link to the other post on the forum
Porsche 993 suspension upgrade options

Graham
 
Hi Graham & Hi Mark
Thanks again both.
Appreciated
I have decided to go with the Koni Special Active ( with FSD) shocks
Regards
Rob Peck
 
I had them fitted by Center Gravity last summer to my 996C2 (18" wheels, ). They were a complete success, with much better body control/ride (even with lowering springs) to the original setup.
 
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