Technical Koni Special Active vs FSDs

[mj2k]

I've been trying to trace a kit of Koni FSDs and it appears everywhere's either showing 'not available' on all kits, or 'awaiting new stock'.

And then I had a check through the Koni website, and it appears they've discontinued FSDs (which were a sort-of gold colour direct from them), replacing them with red 'special active' dampers instead.

Has anyone tried the new-look special active dampers at all on their 500? Apparently they're very slightly tweaked FSDs, just with a new name and less interesting colour scheme.

 

[Baglady1990]

I've been trying to trace a kit of Koni FSDs and it appears everywhere's either showing 'not available' on all kits, or 'awaiting new stock'.

And then I had a check through the Koni website, and it appears they've discontinued FSDs (which were a sort-of gold colour direct from them), replacing them with red 'special active' dampers instead.

Has anyone tried the new-look special active dampers at all on their 500? Apparently they're very slightly tweaked FSDs, just with a new name and less interesting colour scheme.

Yes! When I replaced all the suspension on my 10yr 500 last year I decided to get the red Koni special active as a bit of an upgrade & to try and loose the rough drive
I must admit they have evened out the ride! I’m not familiar with FSDs but the special active get a big thumbs up from me! I did front & rear with new springs and top mounts

 

[mj2k]

Yes! When I replaced all the suspension on my 10yr 500 last year I decided to get the red Koni special active as a bit of an upgrade & to try and loose the rough drive
I must admit they have evened out the ride! I’m not familiar with FSDs but the special active get a big thumbs up from me! I did front & rear with new springs and top mounts

That's good to know

I've got some new Eibach Sportlines sitting in the garage to go with either the FSDs I've got on order or the special actives if the FSDs don't arrive (I very much doubt they will), and I'll be going for front and rears too.

 

[mj2k]

Turns out the set of FSDs I ordered from Italy are coming after all, which is a result.

 

[Baglady1990]

Turns out the set of FSDs I ordered from Italy are coming after all, which is a result.

That’s good news! Have you ordered front or front and rear?

 

[mj2k]

Yep, front and rear, and I've got some nice Eibach Sportlines to go with them

 

[mj2k]

Got a couple of pressies from the postman for my project today

If anyone else fancies grabbing some original FSDs, this Italian Ebay seller still has some:
ICAR SRL

Edit: woah, they sold quick! Looks like the other pair they had went between me checking what they'd got and posting this
But looks like they still have quite a few rare / hard to find parts for classic Fiats. Note - they're not very good at communications though, so brush up on your Italian before contacting them.

 

[ClassicFiat500]

I've been trying to trace a kit of Koni FSDs and it appears everywhere's either showing 'not available' on all kits, or 'awaiting new stock'.

And then I had a check through the Koni website, and it appears they've discontinued FSDs (which were a sort-of gold colour direct from them), replacing them with red 'special active' dampers instead.

Has anyone tried the new-look special active dampers at all on their 500? Apparently they're very slightly tweaked FSDs, just with a new name and less interesting colour scheme.

Just ordered a pair of Koni Special Active for the rear only, they should arrive July 1st, not sure if I should have ordered the front as well, the only reason for ordering rear only was the fact the bushes came up in an mot advisory as breaking up plus one was showing slight leak. Paid £228 for the pair from BRT Motorsport

 

[imported_Ransoman]

I know this is an old topic but I found it Via google and I just wanted to add my opinion.

I have a 2018 Abarth 595 145 bhp and as is to be expected the bushes failed on the rear shocks, I wanted to put on the Koni FSD's that are standard from the turismo model as I was never really happy with the bouncy rear end (the 145bhp model uses standard fiat 500 rear dampers with FSD's on the front only).

This was around the same time this topic was posted and like MJ2k I couldn't find and stock of FSD's and If i did they were a full kit for the whole car. I found the Special Actives while researching the part numbers and found they are the direct replacement, or "Gen 2" versions of Koni's FSD line So I bought a pair for the rear. It took a while to arrive as this was during the post Brexit and Covid shortage but they did arrive eventually (around 3 months after ordering if I recall correctly).

These instantly transformed my Abarth and immediately eliminated the bouncy rear end, I couldn't recomend them enough. The ride from the rear of the car is now pretty much perfect.

If and when I need to replace the front dampers, which are still FSD's, I will be getting the special actives for sure.

 

[ClassicFiat500]

I know this is an old topic but I found it Via google and I just wanted to add my opinion.

I have a 2018 Abarth 595 145 bhp and as is to be expected the bushes failed on the rear shocks, I wanted to put on the Koni FSD's that are standard from the turismo model as I was never really happy with the bouncy rear end (the 145bhp model uses standard fiat 500 rear dampers with FSD's on the front only).

This was around the same time this topic was posted and like MJ2k I couldn't find and stock of FSD's and If i did they were a full kit for the whole car. I found the Special Actives while researching the part numbers and found they are the direct replacement, or "Gen 2" versions of Koni's FSD line So I bought a pair for the rear. It took a while to arrive as this was during the post Brexit and Covid shortage but they did arrive eventually (around 3 months after ordering if I recall correctly).

These instantly transformed my Abarth and immediately eliminated the bouncy rear end, I couldn't recomend them enough. The ride from the rear of the car is now pretty much perfect.

If and when I need to replace the front dampers, which are still FSD's, I will be getting the special actives for sure.

Completely agree with you, on my Anniversario 2014 I fitted these & couldn’t believe how good the ride is. Although I only use the car in dry weather and not in the salty winter months, this then gives me something to look forward too . Roll on the Summer