Technical Bilstein B14s - Ordered
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Technical Bilstein B14s - Ordered
Well, I've just been talking about them, I've not ordered any yet. Still waiting for some non-**** top strut mounts to become available. Seems the 500's strut top mounts are made out of unobtanium....
I've just ordered 2 from Micks garage. Hopefully they'll be in shortly. I don't fancy using the existing ones. They're shagged. Now to get some drop links.
With any luck I'll be rolling around on new suspension by the end of the week.
With any luck I'll be rolling around on new suspension by the end of the week.
Well they did say 4-5 days to me so you might be waiting till next weekI've just ordered 2 from Micks garage. Hopefully they'll be in shortly. I don't fancy using the existing ones. They're shagged. Now to get some drop links.
With any luck I'll be rolling around on new suspension by the end of the week.
I'm getting 2 working days for delivery on the invoice
What's that I hear? Is that the sound of Jason's balloon popping?
What's that I hear? Is that the sound of Jason's balloon popping?
Top mounts are useless without coilovers
Still unsure whether to go Koni FSD or B14. What made your mind up Jason?
Well, for me there are a few things
Being monotube dampers the B14's are rebuildable and you can even get Bilstein to revalve them to your specifications so you could go harder or softer in the future if you so wish. FSD's will be a throwaway item when they start to leak.
They look goooooorgeous
Being Bilstein they're going to be well made
They're also quite cheap. Have a look at the price of the FSD's and compare them to the price for some B14's. Considering you're getting dampers and springs it's good value for money.
You also get different bump stops which is part of the problem with the rear of the 500's suspension.
Of course the FSD's should be better in terms of comfort, but for handling the B14's should be pretty darn good
I like the ride to be firm and give me decent turn in. I run a pretty stiff setup now so I wanted that again. I get the impression the other coilover kits are more comfort focussed. This kit is more track focussed. And I've never heard anyone complain about the quality of Bilstein. Honestly, gut feel really. I could be wrong in which case 600 quid down the drain, but we'll see. Welcome to come have a ride in mind when its done if you're thinking about a set?
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Well, for me there are a few things
Being monotube dampers the B14's are rebuildable and you can even get Bilstein to revalve them to your specifications so you could go harder or softer in the future if you so wish. FSD's will be a throwaway item when they start to leak.
They look goooooorgeous
...
Being Bilstein they're going to be well made
They're also quite cheap. Have a look at the price of the FSD's and compare them to the price for some B14's. Considering you're getting dampers and springs it's good value for money.
You also get different bump stops which is part of the problem with the rear of the 500's suspension.
Of course the FSD's should be better in terms of comfort, but for handling the B14's should be pretty darn good
Had a look elsewhere to see what the favoured shock was and Bilstein was getting the thumbs up on the A500 models that were steriod injected.
Today 'local' Koni didn't know anything about life guarantee but Larkspeed were offering it and there would be restrictions as explained on a previous posting.
I wouldn't post any links from elsewhere but the Monotubes do not suffer from the gasing or foaming that can happen on Twin tubes on prolonged use as you would have in a rally or on a track.
A supplier today called Autofastfit said that they have no demand for Bilsteins given the state of some of the roads and customers are looking for more comfort orientated shocks.
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general feedback from VAG world is those who did Koni have replaced them and a few failures around, B14s whilst being firmer have far better damping than stock oem VAG suspension
can't believe the damping will be any worse than the oem 500 set up
can't believe the damping will be any worse than the oem 500 set up
Definately need different bump stops with the Koni FSDs. I have fitted them to Mrs Gs 500 with the SS springs. Pretty firm set up but very chuckable.
On the 500 ours rattle on really poor surfaces (which in sheffield is almost every road, even the speed bumps have potholes) Seems that the Coupe bump stops are an alternative so I will be having some fitted in a few weeks.
I have the Konis on my GP too with no problems, both set ups are very impressive I have to say.
On the 500 ours rattle on really poor surfaces (which in sheffield is almost every road, even the speed bumps have potholes) Seems that the Coupe bump stops are an alternative so I will be having some fitted in a few weeks.
I have the Konis on my GP too with no problems, both set ups are very impressive I have to say.
Please! I don't recall it being uncomfortable round the ring so it'd be interesting to compare.
Well the KW's are £700 ish for the basic ones. IMHO Bilstein have a better name so for nearly £200 I'm going to go for them.
Feedback from some tuners is KW has lost there way on the quality front given a change in country of manufacture, I've just run some of their stuff which was ok
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From the little chat today with the Koni man he said that the STR.t shocks have now been outsourced and are made by different manufacturers to a particular spec. Not that it's relevant to this thread since they're not available for the 500.
Posted a wrong link earlier on in relation to the Bilsteins getting the thumbs up - this is the link.
This was a good price on the KW v1 at £600 and reading the write-up it refers to them being height adjustable. Shock have been preset. Here is a discussion on Bilstein verus kw-v1.
That price for the KW's is ex-VAT
