Koni FSD shocks on a 993

[993kimbo]

Here's a quick, simple post giving my opinions on the new Koni FSD shock absorbers as fitted to my 993.

1. They are half the price of Porsche standard equipment Monroes.
2. The are easily as comfortable as Monroes.
3. They make the car feel much sportier and handle better than Monroes.
4. The ride height is the same as Monroes.
5. They work with OEM Lowering springs or OEM Standard springs
6. They are more comfortable than Bilsteins
7. They feel just as sporty as Bilsteins but without the hard ride

If you're about to change the shocks on a 993 and want to retain the comfort of the originals but achieve a sportier ride, save yourself £600-700 and fit FSDs.
Buy them anyway, even if you're not bothered about money - they are way superior to the Porsche ones.

Mine were purchased through Gert at Carnewal.com and fitted by www.precisionvehicleservices.co.uk in East Sussex (£50 per hour) who I can't recommend highly enough.

[marky911]

You sound like a happy man. I'm pleased you found a good solution.

I've just looked at Gerts site for 964T ones but they must not do them yet.

One thing I noticed though was that the saving only seems to be 100 Euros on the 993 ones over Bilsteins? Even less of a saving on 964 Carrera items.

Any saving is good though if they perform well.

I'll be going for the Bilsteins from Gert for my 964T later in the year.

[ras62]

I would be interested to know why you chose the Koni route, which Bilstien shock are you making the comparison with? KW seem to be the preferred choice for most things 964/993.

[marky911]

Prefered option for track use sure, but not necessarily for road.

The KWs can be set up well for road use but Bilsteins are ample if your car is never going near a racetrack, so why spend the extra on KWs.

I'll be going Bilsteins from Gert with H+R reds (as I already have them), full poly-bush kit probably (which some people recommend, while others don't) and maybe new anti roll bars.

KWs would be overkill as far as I'm concerned but as usual it's all just personal choice.

[993kimbo]

Thanks Mark. I hope you sold yours ok. I put a word in!

The Koni FSD's are shocks designed for owners who want the comfort of the originals but with a sportier performance than the originals. I've had Bilstein HD's on the car along with a variation of springs, ride heights, wheels and tyres and they have always been too hard for everyday driving. The only option has been Monroes at the ludicrous price of £1300+, so the Konis are a no-brainer.

I've no experience of KW's. Friends say they're incredibly expensive and hard.

Edited by 993kimbo on Saturday 7th January 12:25

[marky911]

Exactly, the KWs are inline with PSS9/10s pricewise and a bit overkill for me, when I'm just pottering down the seafront for an icecream.

993kimbo said:

Thanks Mark. I hope you sold yours ok. I put a word in!

Thanks mate, if that's my 964T you're on about, I've had a few people on via PM who want contacting if I sell, but after looking into a couple of cars around the £40k mark before Xmas, I'm finding out there's a fair bit of crap out there. Well maybe not crap but just a different view of what's excellent.
Have the offer of a mates 360 spider but 911s are where my heart is so I'm now thinking "better the devil you know" and currently looking for a nice 964 C2 to accompany the 964T.

[ras62]

You are referring to the KW V3 which is similar in price to the Bilstien PSS9/10, but the KW V1 are comparable price wise to the Bilstien HD and the Koni. The difference between the two KW's is the V1 is none adjustable, this does not bother me one bit as I would never bother tbh, but it has all the build attributes not found on the competitors i.e stainless build and plastic adjusters that dont corrode.

[Wozy68]

Can I ask how much the total fitted bill was, split between install and component cost?

Its just that I'm in the process of possibly buying a 993 and my first thought was the dampners will be in need of updating and would be interesting to get costs.

[993kimbo]

Yes, sure. Total bill this time around was around £1200. Shocks were about £750, labour £450.

However, when I had other suspension work done from various other garages, I had new bushes, wishbones, top mounts front and rear, steering dampers, springs, CV boots and all other bits and pieces, and the bill for that lot was around £2500.
993 suspension is a potential wallet-bomb, so make sure you get it right first time and get the right people to do the work for you.

If the suspension hasn't been touched, I would allow £2000- £2500 if I were you.

Edited by 993kimbo on Saturday 7th January 14:23

[marky911]

ras62 said:

You are referring to the KW V3 which is similar in price to the Bilstien PSS9/10, but the KW V1 are comparable price wise to the Bilstien HD and the Koni. The difference between the two KW's is the V1 is none adjustable, this does not bother me one bit as I would never bother tbh, but it has all the build attributes not found on the competitors i.e stainless build and plastic adjusters that dont corrode.

Oh right, fair enough. I didn't know they do a more wallet friendly one.

Hi Wozy You getting back into a 6 pot then? Nice one. I take it the 968 is going then? I decided on a 964 over the 968, simply because the noise and feel will keep me entertained when not going flat-out. I still think 968s are great though and hope to own one at some point.

[993kimbo]

ras62 said:

the KW V1 are comparable price wise to the Bilstien HD and the Koni.

£1425 for a set was the cheapest I could find.

[Wozy68]

marky911 said:

Oh right, fair enough. I didn't know they do a more wallet friendly one.

Hi Wozy You getting back into a 6 pot then? Nice one. I take it the 968 is going then? I decided on a 964 over the 968, simply because the noise and feel will keep me entertained when not going flat-out. I still think 968s are great though and hope to own one at some point.

Hi Marky yeh Im the owner of a nice metallic blue 993. Ive crossed back over to the dark side.

Ups just realised this is an old thread. (soz, I was doing a search on 993 dampers)

[johnycarrera]

Seeing as the thread has been revived, can you describe what you mean by "sportier"?

I have a ludicrously expensive bespoke set up currently and won't be downgrading however I used to use Koni adjustables in the 90s that apart from some minor quality issues (in that the first set were faulty) were excellent. Had to set them pretty stiff to get the best of them but did like them........... Could you just expand on the sportier bit please?
My old 993 Carrera ran Bilsteins HD with H&R springs which were fairly cheap and were OKish......... What exactly did you feel was the difference?

[marky911]

Wozy68 said:

Hi Marky yeh Im the owner of a nice metallic blue 993. Ive crossed back over to the dark side.

Ups just realised this is an old thread. (soz, I was doing a search on 993 dampers)

Nice one Wozy, I'm sure it's a lovely one too if that 968 was anything to go by. Enjoy it!
I'm guessing dampers are on your to-do list? Better be quick, summer will soon be here.

It's funny reading my comments from 2 months ago during my 964 search, which I've now pretty much given up on. I'm not even sure I will have the time to get the 964T painted now so that may appear in the classifieds next month.
First run out of the year (with the 911uk lads) on the 17th though so I'll see how I feel after actually getting to use it again.

[Wozy68]

marky911 said:

Nice one Wozy, I'm sure it's a lovely one too if that 968 was anything to go by. Enjoy it!
I'm guessing dampers are on your to-do list? Better be quick, summer will soon be here.

It's funny reading my comments from 2 months ago during my 964 search, which I've now pretty much given up on. I'm not even sure I will have the time to get the 964T painted now so that may appear in the classifieds next month.
First run out of the year (with the 911uk lads) on the 17th though so I'll see how I feel after actually getting to use it again.

Its that damn Jackal. I've been on his site and now I've got it my head that the 993 needs new engine mounts, suspension and loads of other things he goes into depth about.

I recon he's being quietly sponsored by Porsche UK spares dept.

Seriously though,the 993 I've bought has a good history file but I'm thinking to keep her tiptop to invest a little money in her.

Thanks the comments ref the CS. Miss her, but life goes on.