Koni inserts .

[zcacogp]

Yes. I did the Koni thang about 16 months ago. I wrote a lot about it on this forum when I did it, so do a search and you'll get the full picture. Everyone on here with bigger budgets will rave on about the KWv3 option. It's probably better. But it's a lot more expensive. You pays your money and you ... I think you know the rest. The interesting thing about the KW option is that much of the cost is associated with lowering the rear axle - necessary with the KW option as it includes 'helper' springs, whereas the Koni just uses the existing torsion bar. Lowering the rear axle is a pro job (usually), and hence costs a lot. For my money, if I had the luxury of another car in addition to my 944, I'd be tempted to buy the KW kit and lower the rear axle myself, thus getting the good kit at lower cost. But there we are - my S2 is my daily driver, and I don't have a workshop (or even a drive), so car maintenance is done on the road. Hence, this isn't an option. The other point to make is that I think the cost of the Koni option has gone up recently. Looking here: [link=http://pistonheads.com/members/showServiceHistory.asp?carId=35695]http://pistonheads.com/members/showServiceHistory.asp?carId=35695[/link] .... July 2007, I paid £87 and £92 for the front and rear units respectively; I think they are a bit more now. FWIW, I am VERY pleased with the Koni bits. The difference is astounding. It really, really handles now. BUT, I am comparing original-fit worn-out kit with new stuff, so improvement is to be expected. AND I had a full alignment done, which made a big difference in itself. Oli. ETA: Just re-read this - it sounds negative. The Koni kit is excellent, and I'd highly recommend it.

 

[944 man]

I think that the KW parts have more sizzle than sausage too. If I was cynical then Id look to see who imported the stuff and who was enthusiastically recommending it..... I like GAZ. Its like Leda was 10 years ago (for obvious reasons). Also: theyll rebuild old Leda stuff as well, which Leda wont do themselves any longer...

 

[pauly]

Has anyone here fitted the bolt in koni inserts on a 944 ?, I've thought about doing this in conjunction with the paragon adjustable spring platforms, mainly because I think my struts are probably the originals and I'd like the adjustable ride height facility.

 

[Fen]

Well I have KW and I have nothing to do with the importer. Nor do most of the people running it on 944s I think you'll find, though possibly there was an element of that among the 968 community in the early days. It's not the best solution for a dedicated track car (at least the v3 all of us bar Partick have isn't), but it would actually make sense on a pure road car and it doesn't do a half bad job on track. M030 feels every day of 20 years old in comparison. How it compares to Leda or GAZ I personally can't say, but what I can say is that I originally went out to buy Leda and ended up with KW. Mostly due to Leda the company rather than Leda the suspension, though there was a knocking issue on 944 rears that really should never have happened that made me question their engineering.

 

[pauly]

ORIGINAL: zcacogp Yes. I did the Koni thang about 16 months ago. I wrote a lot about it on this forum when I did it, so do a search and you'll get the full picture. Everyone on here with bigger budgets will rave on about the KWv3 option. It's probably better. But it's a lot more expensive. You pays your money and you ... I think you know the rest. The interesting thing about the KW option is that much of the cost is associated with lowering the rear axle - necessary with the KW option as it includes 'helper' springs, whereas the Koni just uses the existing torsion bar. Lowering the rear axle is a pro job (usually), and hence costs a lot. For my money, if I had the luxury of another car in addition to my 944, I'd be tempted to buy the KW kit and lower the rear axle myself, thus getting the good kit at lower cost. But there we are - my S2 is my daily driver, and I don't have a workshop (or even a drive), so car maintenance is done on the road. Hence, this isn't an option. The other point to make is that I think the cost of the Koni option has gone up recently. Looking here: [link=http://pistonheads.com/members/showServiceHistory.asp?carId=35695]http://pistonheads.com/members/showServiceHistory.asp?carId=35695[/link] .... July 2007, I paid £87 and £92 for the front and rear units respectively; I think they are a bit more now. FWIW, I am VERY pleased with the Koni bits. The difference is astounding. It really, really handles now. BUT, I am comparing original-fit worn-out kit with new stuff, so improvement is to be expected. AND I had a full alignment done, which made a big difference in itself. Oli. ETA: Just re-read this - it sounds negative. The Koni kit is excellent, and I'd highly recommend it.

I did a search but without the thread title I couldn't find it.

 

[944 man]

Leda the company is very different now. All of the technical people formed GAZ and the new Leda is now based quite close to me in Ashbourne in West Derbyshire.

 

[Fen]

I think I was dealing with old Leda, about a year before they ceased to be old Leda.

 

[Big Dave]

"[ I think that the KW parts have more sizzle than sausage too. If I was cynical then Id look to see who imported the stuff and who was enthusiastically recommending it..... ]". What on earth do you mean by that statement.??? Have you EVER tried / driven a car with KW V3 fitted.??? Ive had mine fitted for about 4 years + have found it fab.. Ive "pitted" the car up against a m8,s with Bilstein, and theres NOTHING in them, handling wise...OR i would say longevity wise, as his car has also been fitted [Bilstein] for aprox 4 years...Neither have had any problems....Both on track or road....

 

[944 man]

They certainly did lose their good reputation.....

 

[wibble]

ORIGINAL: zcacogp The Koni kit is excellent, and I'd highly recommend it.

I am considering this option for the road. My guess is my suspension is tired after 17 years and want a realistic replacement where I can justify the cost with a relative simple upgrade. I have used Koni on other cars with great results, making the car sharper and crisper on the road. The KW option does sound very tempting with many rave reviews out there - the cost is the big factor and I think for road use is a little excessive - I not sure I could drop the rear transaxle in my garage.

 

[333pg333]

ORIGINAL: 944 man They certainly did lose their good reputation.....

Who did? KW or Leda? I'm very happy with my KWs and except for the problem of not being able to adjust rear rebound without dropping them out of the car, they have performed admirably. I can't see anyone in here having a 'vested' interest if that's what you're implying? The only reason I bought KWs were from the recommendations of this forum and Fen in particular. I'm betting that he is not a beneficiary of their commercial success, sorry to say.

 

[944 man]

Leda did.

 

[PJS917]

I have tried both Koni and KW infact I have both so probably am better placed than most to discuss the merits of both. Koni inserts are fitted to my 968, I did the job myself and they are better than the standard shocks. I use my 968 daily and the ride is ok. It is a little harsh over small bumps but I have it set fairly firmly. It is not a difficult job to convert and fit. KW's are fitted to my 944 S2 and they are better than the Koni's, It rides better, it is more communicative, it handles better it is more adjustable and is in a different league to the Koni's but then so is the price. Koni is more than up to the job, it is just older technology.

 

[zcacogp]

Peter, That is a very helpful post - thank you. I have never heard comments from someone who has owned and driven both set-ups before - it's interesting to have had your comments. Oli.

 

[wjk_glynn]

Besides Koni and KW, there are other struct/shock options. I've put a list of companies making parts for the 944/968 at [link=http://www.weissach.net/924-944-968_SuspensionPartsSuppliers.html#ShocksStruts]http://www.weissach.net/924-944-968_SuspensionPartsSuppliers.html#ShocksStruts[/link] (I'll need to add GAZ to that list). An interesting variation on Koni is Ground Control. They use various Koni inserts (single and double adjustables are available) and build kits (including strut housings) around them -- so not cutting or welding.

See this link for an example: [link=http://www.ground-control-store.com/products/description.php/II=762]http://www.ground-control-store.com/products/description.php/II=762[/link] Karl.

 

[wjk_glynn]

ORIGINAL: zcacogp ... That is a very helpful post - thank you. I have never heard comments from someone who has owned and driven both set-ups before - it's interesting to have had your comments. ...

Ditto. Karl.

 

[Fen]

I third that, though I'm far from surprised. I genuinely can't think of anyone with KW (or even who has driven or perhaps only passengered (Paul S?) in a KW car) that has been anything other than impressed. Not many mods are that well thought of, especially when you consider more than a couple of people have KW.

 

[wjk_glynn]

I've heard almost 100% positive reviews about the KW units... its just that they cost $1,600 more (in the US) than the Koni inserts. I don't think I've heard of anyone regretting spending the extra dough, but that's not an insignificant amount of money. As regards KWs, about the only negative things (and I should point out that the vast majority of reviews are very positive) I've heard is that specifically in the US, their customer support has been patchy (UK customers don't seem to have issues). And on one occasion, a [link=http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=396554&page=5]failure[/link] with the camber eccentric for the front strut where it mounts to the spindle/hub assembly.

Karl.

 

[Diver944]

I have personally driven cars with brand new stock suspension, rebuilt M030, brand new KW and brand new Leda and I would rank them in the following ways: Comfortable ride on the road 1. Stock 2. KW 3. M030 4. Leda Stiff ride for the track 1. KW 2. Leda 3. M030 4. Stock The Koni inserts are a halfway house between the stock strut and the M030 where most people re use the stock spring and the insert itself is valved slightly stiffer. They are a good budget upgrade to replace old or worn standard shocks and if you can do the cutting work yourself they are cheaper than buying the entire standard shock. Any standard shock over 10 years old will be knackered and you will notice a HUGE improvement just replacing it with stock. The Ledas that I have driven came with 300lb springs on the front and were very VERY harsh on the road at full stiffness, but they were very adjustable. At full soft they could be used on the road but were just a little harsher than M030 The beauty of the KW's is their modern design with the clever bypass valve. On a bumpy road surface they are almost as smooth and controlled as the standard Porsche shock. Stick them on track and lean heavily on them in the corners and they suddenly stiffen up superbly, vastly reduce the bodyroll and improve the high speed handling almost immeasurably I will be fitting KW's when my piggy bank allows []