Shock Advice

[Ron500E]

Hello:
I'm about to embark on the re-commissioning of my car. It's been sitting for the better part of 10 years, body is in excellent condition, no rust or repairs. Never had any because it never needed any.

What is the current wisdom regarding shocks? Koni Classics or Bilsteins?
And what about rebuild kits for the various cylinders; wheel, master, clutch amd calipers?
I have Ate brakes front and rear.
And as a side note.... firewall grommets. Does MB still supply them or am I looking at an aftermarket kit from one of the suppliers?
I'm not all that concerned about cost as much as I am about quality.
I have a few thousand other questions but that's it for now.
Thanks

Ron

[ctaylor738]

   
Shock Advice
Hello:
I'm about to embark on the re-commissioning of my car. It's been sitting for the better part of 10 years, body is in excellent condition, no rust or repairs. Never had any because it never needed any.

What is the current wisdom regarding shocks? Koni Classics or Bilsteins? NOT SURE OF THE WISDOM, BUT I HAVE ALWAYS USED BILSTEINS.
And what about rebuild kits for the various cylinders; wheel, master, clutch amd calipers? DONT REBUILD, BUY NEW OR REBUILT.  AUTOHAUSAZ FOR NEW, ROCKAUTO FOR REBUILT.
I have Ate brakes front and rear.
And as a side note.... firewall grommets. Does MB still supply them or am I looking at an aftermarket kit from one of the suppliers? MB. SELLS THEM BUT BUDS BENZ, SLTECH AND OTHERS SELL A COMPLETE SET OF THE MB PARTS.
I'm not all that concerned about cost as much as I am about quality.
I have a few thousand other questions but that's it for now.
Thanks

Ron

[J. Huber]

I went with the Bilsteins and have been very satisfied.

Rubber from the vendors is often MB but you need to ask. I like Miller's too by the way.

[jameshoward]

To add some balance, I used Koni Classic Adjustables on my car. They are firmer and so are a harder ride, but the road holding is excellent. You can adjust them (hence the name!) depending on how firm you want them. I'm really happy with them. I recall that they were also considerably cheaper than Bilsteins at the time I was looking (about 8 years ago).

[Raymond]

I don't know that they are cheaper than the Bilsteins currently, but I am very happy with my Koni Classic adjustables.  I like the ability to tweak the balance.  I have a set of Olsen sport springs (that I won in a raffle at the PUB a few years back).  When I put them on, I was able to soften the front a half turn and it helped reduce understeer.  On my E30, I replaced the stock Bilsteins with the Sport edition and the ride is tight on the stock springs.  Although the cornering is better with less body roll than stock Bilsteins, I might have preferred the Konis. 

It depends on what you want to accomplish.  Both are very good products.

[vande17941]

I put on KYB because I have never had a KYB shock wear out on a vehicle in over 30 years, plus I wanted a firmer, sportier ride because I push my cars (no trailer queens). Got the set of KYBs for $110 at RockAuto. Excellent shocks, definitely much firmer than Bilsteins. It's all personal preference as the KYB, Koni, Bilsteins are all excellent.

[Raymond]

Vande, it's interesting that you had a good experience with the KYBs.  10 years ago, the first shocks I put on were KYBs and they screwed up the ride height by half an inch.  They were also too soft.  I couldn't stand them for more than a few hundred miles.  They were about the cheapest you could buy so it didn't hurt me much to throw them away.  Maybe in 10 years they have learned how to make them better.  I just know that Bilsteins and Konis perform very well in our cars, and are very durable. 

[waqas]

I have top second Ray's comments about KYB shocks. They didn't last very long for me (they lost pressure after a couple years). The correct Bilsteins have now been in there for over 8 years and still feel the same.

[vande17941]

Hmmm...ride height didn't change a bit with the KYBs....springs would determine that. I have used KYB since '86 in multiple makes of cars and cars modified for the track. I have NEVER in all that time had a KYB shock leak or fail...ever. I will say, though, they are much stiffer than the Bilsteins on the Pagoda.

[Cees Klumper]

KYBs are the shocks of choice for El Caminos is the common opinion among 'Elkie' owners ... FWIW.

[Raymond]

Glad to hear it.  Competition is a good thing.  And this reminds me how one bad product can cost a customer for life.

[Ron500E]

I have top second Ray's comments about KYB shocks. They didn't last very long for me (they lost pressure after a couple years). The correct Bilsteins have now been in there for over 8 years and still feel the same.

Hello:
Are the correct Bilsteins gas or regular?

Thanks,

Ron

[Benz Dr.]

I think they're a gas and oil combination.

[66andBlue]

Depends on which model but the the recommended original B4 shocks are gas - B2 are oil dampers:
http://www.bilstein.de/en-uk/products/search-service/faqs/
If you want stiffer ones you could try out the B6 gas monotube absorbers and let us know what you experience.  

[Jack Jones]

My understanding is that gas shocks still use oil and the gas helps stabilize the oil.

[66andBlue]

According to the "faqs" it is not a gas/oil emulsion but they are in two separate compartments:
Q: What are the benefits of gas pressure shock absorbers versus oil pressure shock absorbers?
Right from the moment you set off, the mono-tube gas pressure shock absorber maintains a stable characteristic curve versus an oil pressure unit, because in the mono-tube gas pressure shock absorber the oil and gas are separate, so the oil cannot foam up. The mono-tube gas pressure shock absorber can be fitted regardless of position and thanks to the large effective area of its working piston, it provides more precise damping and greater damping forces than an oil pressure unit.

Dan, is that what you had in mind when you wrote "a gas and oil combination" ?

[Ron500E]

Decided to go with the Bilsteins as the Koni's were out of stock in the USA and are "made to order" according to Koni NA. 6-8 weeks before shipping, add 2-3 to get to me and I'll be close to death by natural causes before I get them installed and used.
Bilsteins should arrive on Wednesday.
Thanks for all the advice.

Kind Regards,

Ron