Koni FSD vs. Sports (yellow)

[TMurt]

Alright so I'm thinking about installing the eibach prokit on my b7. Before I get attacked for not searching I did but couldn't conclude anything. I would rather get the shocks that are more comfortable for a daily driver. But from what I've seen there are huge disagreements for which ones have more comfort. I'm only on stock non s line setup now so I know either will lose some comfort. Any personal opinions for me.

The car is an 07 A4 3.2 Quattro non Sline on stock 5 spoke 17's (not split spoke)....Anyone who went to eibach/koni setup from my setup will be the most valuable. Not sure how much effect the V6 vs Turbo 4 has on the shocks

Thanks

I'll keep count (of people with experience with both)
FSD-0
Sports-2

[Inked]

LMAO 61 views and no reply....Atleast you wont lose count.[facepalm]

[A4A4A4]

I've never ridden with Koni Yellow's but I have Koni FSD's and they're pretty comfortable, a little bouncy, but still comfortable.

[pfrizz]

My car was lowered when I bought it, and people on here told me it's an eibach kit (I was new, I think I can figure shit out now). I plan on changing it out because I feel every crack in the road and it's a pretty rough ride

[cleaver]

Well, if you value comfort over handling you'll probably be happier with the FSD's. I went from stock, non-sport to FSD's with the same (non-sport) springs and hated it. I'm old school and follow the "stiffer is better" approach. After spending $1000 for parts & installation I noticed no difference (and still too soft for my tastes). I then went with Bilsteins and sport springs from a B6 3.0 Avant (I have a 3.2 Avant) and am MUCH happier. The ride is much firmer (not harsh) and CONTROLLED. I suspect the Koni sports will be comparable to the Bilsteins.

[shoppingcart111]

I would stay away from the FSD's unless you have an avant, they are tailored to a more heavy car, I had them on my sedan with H&R's and they unloaded on bumps so bad your ass actually left the seat, harsh, I'm now on bilstiens and 100% better. And the yellows are comparable to the bilstiens but are adjustable. Do it right the first time.

[jamesj2k]

Just eiback springs and Koni FSD installed. Im not street racer but I like them a lot better then my stock non sport setup. I like the comfort...dont particularly love stiffness lol

[TMurt]

Hmm it seems like to FSDs can be overall more comfortable but are bouncy over and dips or bumps if I understand that correctly. And the Sports will make it seem overall more planted but feel more minor imperfections on the surface

[TMurt]

My car was lowered when I bought it, and people on here told me it's an eibach kit (I was new, I think I can figure shit out now). I plan on changing it out because I feel every crack in the road and it's a pretty rough ride

Did you still have stock shocks on it? because I've been told that you CANNOT go stock shocks on stiffer springs, unless you have the s line springs

[snopyro]

Anyone care to comment on the ride quality of Koni sport yellows when matched with Eibach pro kit springs? What settings were used in the front and rear? (I'm currently on OEM sport suspension.)

[QuattroTi]

I have the koni yellows with eibach pro springs. Handling is much better than stock sport and ride quality is equal if not a tad better. If you have the 4x4 non-sport stock suspension you will def notice a difference in ride quality (for the worse) because the non-sport is meant for comfort. I adjusted the shocks to one 180 degree turn all around (25% to full) and i am very happy with the setup.

[TMurt]

I had the non sport setup and went to Eibachs w/koni sports. Handling is much better and ride quality did decrease some but its far from uncomfortable. They are set at 25% from full. Honestly, just pumping up the tires more seems to create a big ride difference by itself.

[snopyro]

Thanks. I'm on the fence on the FSD's vs. Sports- but I know I want to go with the Pro kit springs. Wondering if the sports were adjusted to their softest setting, would it ride like the OEM sport suspension?

[TMurt]

I haven't seen many people run them at full softness. I have read several comments that say they feel an improvement with this setup of their stock sport setup, don't know what they were set to though. 1/2-3/4 stiffness seems to be typical though.

[9Hooker]

I have had both and the FSD are shit compared to the Yellows on both Eibach and factory springs. I have a long post explaining my position. Just look under my posts.

[highlandarx]

For ultimate ride comfort I would go with the FSD shocks and OEM non s-line springs. But your handling probably won't be great in spirited driving situations. But the FSD alone are an excellent shock for heavy cars and if you're looking for ride comfort. The unpredictability that a lot of people complain about is when they started combining the FSD shocks with eibach springs.

I went from complete NON s-line OEM suspention to eibach springs + NON s-line OEM shocks to eibach springs, + koni sport yellows (set at 1.5 turns from full soft for the rear and 1.75 turns from full soft for the front based on the recommendations made by 9hooker in a thread I can't seem to find right now) + RS4 sway bar. I do a lot of daily driving in Norther NJ and NYC roads, and even a little bit of autocrossing, and I must say that I have yet to find the perfect balance between daily driving ride comfort and handling. I know you have to compromise if you want one or the other, but still, I think it is possible to find that sweet spot. The next thing I'm considering trying is switching out the eibach springs with OEM S-line springs, + my Koni yellows at the same settings. If anyone has tried this or can comment on it, i'd like to know how it is.

[9Hooker]

oh wait, here it is.. search worked for me:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/373399-TESTED-Eibach-Pros-Koni-FSD-AND-Koni-Sport?p=5438283#post5438283

[highlandarx]

oh wait, here it is.. search worked for me:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/373399-TESTED-Eibach-Pros-Koni-FSD-AND-Koni-Sport?p=5438283#post5438283

yup that's the one. I agree with your review...and am running the same setup as you ended up going with in your conclusion, but I must say, I still feel like I'm about to bend my stock 17" 5-spoke rims when I go over bumps. The situation will be even worse when I put on my 18" BBS CHs on in the summer. The ride is too stiff, and theres almost no absorbance of bumps, and the shocks are set to what Koni considers a 'medium/neutral' setting. Could it be because of the springs? Since they're shorter theres less travel for them to absorb bumps? I have s-line bumpstops if that helps.

[9Hooker]

I actually moved to OEM sport springs the the Koni Yellows. Perfect for me. Lowering springs == stiffer rate so you don't bottom out.

[highlandarx]

I actually moved to OEM sport springs the the Koni Yellows. Perfect for me. Lowering springs == stiffer rate so you don't bottom out.

And your koni yellows are at the same setting as I described earlier? How would you describe the ride comfort/handling?

[9Hooker]

it's whatever was in the past, like 1.75 and 1.5. i live the hendling, not jumpy, sticks to the road. very bueno.

[highlandarx]

it's whatever was in the past, like 1.75 and 1.5. i live the hendling, not jumpy, sticks to the road. very bueno.

Cool. I think i'm gonna go with this. can you post a pic so I can see the ride height?

[QuattroTi]

yup that's the one. I agree with your review...and am running the same setup as you ended up going with in your conclusion, but I must say, I still feel like I'm about to bend my stock 17" 5-spoke rims when I go over bumps. The situation will be even worse when I put on my 18" BBS CHs on in the summer. The ride is too stiff, and theres almost no absorbance of bumps, and the shocks are set to what Koni considers a 'medium/neutral' setting. Could it be because of the springs? Since they're shorter theres less travel for them to absorb bumps? I have s-line bumpstops if that helps.

FYI 2 turns is full stiff. 1.5 turns and 1.75 is pretty damn close. Im on stock titanium 18" and cant complain a bit about the setup. 1/2 a turn for me is the sweet spot; I suggest adjusting to the same value all around.

[9Hooker]

FYI 2 turns is full stiff. 1.5 turns and 1.75 is pretty damn close. Im on stock titanium 18" and cant complain a bit about the setup. 1/2 a turn for me is the sweet spot; I suggest adjusting to the same value all around.


From what I remember, maybe 3 full turns was full stiff... I don't remember being that close to the end. Look at the directions! I think they are full SOFT from the factory and need to be backed off to get them stiffer. It's been well over a year and I forget. I did pull them off and adjust them to their final setting after driving a bit. Eh well. When you get them you will know for yourself.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iI088UMabc4/TOCX4Q2nMrI/AAAAAAAAAsg/3NnJG3-KHDM/s800/Cars%2520035.JPG

Yes, based on fender height, the front is higher than the rear. Based on the car actually being level it's right on. Some people want the fenders to be level and not the car. To each his own with adjustable springs.

[QuattroTi]

From what I remember, maybe 3 full turns was full stiff... I don't remember being that close to the end. Look at the directions! I think they are full SOFT from the factory and need to be backed off to get them stiffer. It's been well over a year and I forget. I did pull them off and adjust them to their final setting after driving a bit. Eh well. When you get them you will know for yourself.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iI088UMabc4/TOCX4Q2nMrI/AAAAAAAAAsg/3NnJG3-KHDM/s800/Cars%2520035.JPG

Yes, based on fender height, the front is higher than the rear. Based on the car actually being level it's right on. Some people want the fenders to be level and not the car. To each his own with adjustable springs.

4-180 degree turns = 2 turns. im looking at the instructions and before i adjusted them i cycled them from full soft to full stiff which was 2 full turns not 3.

[Charles.waite]

^^ Ruh Roh! Looks like somebody's been adjusting his shocks wrong...

[QuattroTi]

pic for reference (koni sports/eibach pro):
http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc373/hpisabamf/IMAG0447.jpg

havent scraped on anything yet, even with the cupra lip. I can still front park and clear (barely) the parking stump...

[snopyro]

QuattroTi- I'd be going with the setup you have. How's the Eibach/Koni sport ride compared to the OEM S-Line sport suspension? Does your setting absorb speed bumps, potholes, and road imperfections as well as OEM or noticeably stiffer?

Seems like I'd still be at stock ride height with the OEM S-Line springs if matched with Koni yellows. Just a faster rebound to hold in the turns better, right?

[QuattroTi]

I personally wouldnt change the shocks unless i was upgrading the springs because you have to do the same amount of work to change the shocks. The ride is just a tad bit stiffer (in a good way). still absorbs imperfections well imo.

[Charles.waite]

QuattroTi- I'd be going with the setup you have. How's the Eibach/Koni sport ride compared to the OEM S-Line sport suspension? Does your setting absorb speed bumps, potholes, and road imperfections as well as OEM or noticeably stiffer?

Seems like I'd still be at stock ride height with the OEM S-Line springs if matched with Koni yellows. Just a faster rebound to hold in the turns better, right?

Speaking in generalities, the springs determine the ride height. The shocks only serve to dampen the contraction and expansion of the spring thus controlling how the car rides.

Now this is over simplified, but in VERY general terms this is how it works.

[snopyro]

Did you do 1/2 for both front & rear shock setting?

[QuattroTi]

Did you do 1/2 for both front & rear shock setting?

Yes, 1/2 (or 1- 180degree) turn from full soft all around. You do not need to compensate for rear weight because this has already been done for you by a very experienced (and well payed) engineer at Koni.

[QuattroTi]

This is what i meant by barely clears, and it might not look like it but i could have put the slab under the bumper completely if i would have moved the car forward.

http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc373/hpisabamf/IMAG0540-1.jpg

[snopyro]

Did you keep the stock bumpstop height or trim them down? Lastly, did you replace the front/rear upper strut mounts when you changed out your suspension? Appreciate the info! I don't want a bone jarring ride to feel every road imperfection (only the big oness) or to be flying off my seat hitting the headliner at minor bumps in the road. :)

Btw, can you measure the floor to bottom of your S-line front bumper (don't include the Cupra lip) height? I want to get an idea of my DTM CF splitter will be hitting those parking bumper cement blocks.

[QuattroTi]

It is ok to use your bump stops if you have the sport (red) suspension. I did not replace the upper strut mounts, they were in perfect condition when i removed the struts. On the other hand i would recommend replacing the rear spring rubber mounts (seated under the springs); mine were worn unevenly but i didnt have a new set to replace them with. No problems yet.

[Charles.waite]

If you can swing it replace the mounts. As us B6 guys are finding out, as the miles pile on, the spring mounts are the cause of a LOT of suspension noises. Go for the 034 density ones if you want to be extra careful.

[9Hooker]

Speaking in generalities, the springs determine the ride height. The shocks only serve to dampen the contraction and expansion of the spring thus controlling how the car rides.

Now this is over simplified, but in VERY general terms this is how it works.

yeah, but you can't get a shorter spring and keep the same spring rates. the tolerances will have gone to shit and you will bottom something out. your shocks or your chassis...

also, as far as adjusting the shocks, i'm not saying you were wrong, just to double check before just doing what someone on the internet did.

[Charles.waite]

yeah, but you can't get a shorter spring and keep the same spring rates. the tolerances will have gone to shit and you will bottom something out. your shocks or your chassis...

Well yea, true. I didn't feel like getting into that though. [:D]

[QuattroTi]

wont be bottoming anything out with the aforementioned setup. just tighten everything with the suspension loaded

[highlandarx]

Yes, 1/2 (or 1- 180degree) turn from full soft all around. You do not need to compensate for rear weight because this has already been done for you by a very experienced (and well payed) engineer at Koni.

Have you dabbled in any high speed cornering as you would with autocrossing with this setup? If this is what the solution is, then I'll change the settings on mine to 1/2 as well. The setup I have now is great for autocrossing because it is pretty damn stiff...but its horrible for a daily driver. I thought the harsh ride was due to the springs...

[9Hooker]

I personally wouldnt change the shocks unless i was upgrading the springs because you have to do the same amount of work to change the shocks. The ride is just a tad bit stiffer (in a good way). still absorbs imperfections well imo.

if i only had one suspension mod to do, it would be shocks. not springs, not rs4 rear sway. shocks. then rs4 rear sway. then pay the car off, then go out to a nice dinner, then springs.