Koni Coilovers

[Motown Philly]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to take advantage of WRD's sale on Koni's. I have spent a month reading suspension forums here and there, and I think my best bet for a good mid-grade coilover are Koni's. My goals are better response (with the ability to adjust dampening) and a 2" drop (with height adjustability). Again with all the good things I read, the Koni's are capable of achieving my goals.

My concern is that there are different versions, or levels, of Koni's and that I'm going to buy the wrong ones. This is the model # that is on sale: 11505048 Koni Coilover Golf / GTI / Jetta IV (2.0, TDI, 1.8T) 99.5-05, Beetle.

Is there only "one" Koni Coilover?

Thanks again, Phil

I think I should have just pm billsbug, because I think he already has the answer to this question, but I figured it'll help the next guy to have this open to the board.

[TheInvisibleDork]

I'm not an expert, but everything I've ever read about MK4 VW suspension indicates that a two inch drop and better handling are mutually exclusive concepts. You can really screw up the way the front suspension reacts with that much lowering. I'm sure one of the experts here can elaborate on why this happens.

[Billsbug]

Yeah that's it, altho I take issue with the 'mid-grade' tag. I'm dialed down 2.5" and I will take anyone on who thinks their "OEM suspension" outperforms mine.

The big issue with lowering is transitioning uneven pavement if in a turn, there's not as much suspension travel, so u jump around a bit. Just takes a bit more attention and steering to make any corrections. I have it set on medium stiffness.

[Billsbug]

Installed:

[gnyp]

Does beetle need an adjustable rear control arm?
My Audi TT needs the new rear control arm or camber kit (like K-mac) to correct the rear wheel from eating inner tire.

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

Originally Posted by gnyp

Does beetle need an adjustable rear control arm?
My Audi TT needs the new rear control arm or camber kit (like K-mac) to correct the rear wheel from eating inner tire.

The Beetle doesn't have control arms in the rear, it has an I-beam style suspension.

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

I am down about 40mm from stock height, it took me many weeks of drive testing to dial in the right height and dampening adjustments before achieving:

1. My first priority, an optimum *performance* setup.

2. My second priority, the look and stance I prefer.

A 2" drop is at the edge of mechanical acceptability unless other major modifications are performed, or, unless quality drop spindles are used.

Remember, too low will destroy suspension performance and vehicle response.

Oh yes, Koni's are a very high quality product but for the Beetle the coilovers at least, are typically on the stiff side during casual driving, I prefer Bilstein but it's an individual taste thing.

[Billsbug]

Originally Posted by Too Cold NB1.8T

Oh yes, Koni's are a very high quality product but for the Beetle the coilovers at least, are typically on the stiff side during casual driving, I prefer Bilstein but it's an individual taste thing.

I was gonna get Bilstein's but my wife said stiffer was better?

[SMG]

I have FK coilovers which use Koni struts.

They go low, and ride great.

My skidplate:

[gnyp]

wow.. that's low!!

[Motown Philly]

Thanks for the educated (real life) examples of your setups. I have looked at a couple of your cars online, and didn't think I was pushing the envelope of safety and drivability by dropping 2 inches. I've been away from the pc the last few evenings, and have been instead in the cold garage swapping out my TIP. Nevertheless, your posts are always appreciated.

I wanted to document some info I found out in regard to the different part numbers for Koni Coilovers I've been seeing in online stores. Truthfully I can't believe how stupid I was by not going directly to the source "Koni" http://www.koni-na.com to find out why I’m seeing different part numbers. There are actually two different "models" of these coilovers. I copied the 5048 description, word for word off their website.

1150 5083 Standard Spring Rate
1150-5048 More Aggressive Front Spring Rate.

I think if I had a choice for my daily driver it would be the '5083's, and if I want to stiffen the front end I would just crank on the rebound adjustment. btw... they have full instructions on their web site for adjustment. If you read the rear adjustment instructions its funning because the first line says "Remove the shock absorber from the vehicle", like it’s a two minute operation!

[Motown Philly]

Originally Posted by Billsbug

Yeah that's it, altho I take issue with the 'mid-grade' tag.

Since reading your post I've been looking all over WRD's website, because you had me stressed out looking for the words "Mid-Grade". It was to my surprise that you were actually quoting me!!! Ha Ha Ha. I am very sorry to stamp your setup, and soon to be my setup, with the mid-grade tag. I seriously think with the number of MK4's with Koni's it is really the "Optimal Coilover" setup!!!

Later peoples, Phil

[Billsbug]

BTW, u buy them from Neuspeed, not Koni directly.

[phinsfan99]

I too would like to lower my NB. What's the price of the Koni's? About $1200? And then how much is installation typically? Is it worth the extra $, or are the FKs just as good?
Sounds like the added benefit of the Koni's is that you can select the desired height via the adjustment capability.
Rudy

[SMG]

I never had a problem with my FK's. They're used FK Silverline Plus's from a Golf TDI.

[Motown Philly]

Your basically right they usually are around $1015. I just found a steal for $865. I called them today and they stil had some full system setups. Not that its a big deal, but I'm going to be closed lip about which store until I get my order in. If you PM me I will let you know without broadcasting it across the web.

[Motown Philly]

Hey guys,

You are not going to believe this but my wife just gave me the go ahead to buy Bilstein PSS9's if I want to. Similar to the $865 deal I found on Koni’s, I have found another deal on PSS9’s for $1116.50. My Beetle is a summer daily driver, and I am a little leery that the Koni's are going to be a little to stiff after reading a little more on vortex (Not that my wife doesn't like it stiff (eh Billsbug)). As you can tell by this posting I have a serious issue about making major purchases like this, and am seriously anal about my research for the perfect system.

Plus, on a side note I got in a car accident a few years back and fractured 3 vertebrae, which plague me to this day. Not sure if any of you have had a chronic back condition but I would hate to upgrade myself out of my car.

So for those of you that have driven in both, or even investigated this option, which would you choose now knowing that I have a back injury that might aggravate it during daily driving?

Thanks again guys,
Phil

[SMG]

Pretty much everything you do to upgrade the suspension on your car for performance will make it a harsher and firmer ride. If you have a medical condition then it might be a better idea to leave it stock.

If you want to have the car low, you're not going to want a lot of suspension travel and it's that travel that absorbs bumps. Less travel is going to mean less shock absorption.

Here's a few good threads on VWVortex:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3313285
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3098523
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1648157
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1071582

New Beetles are based on the Golf/Jetta MKIV platform, so all of the same parts, etc apply. For more info just search VWVortex for "ride comfort", there's a ton of information.

[Motown Philly]

The more I think about it, I think I'm sticking with the Koni's and use the extra dough to add a Neuspeed Rear Sway Bars (28mm). That'll be my most cost effective system upgrade.

Thanks for the links.
Phil

[Billsbug]

Most coilovers are adjustable for comfort, so set them in the middle. BTW, big wheels and lower profile tires will make the ride much firmer.

When are we gonna see pics of this vert?!