Koni Special Active shocks (aka FSD) review

[Nillamb]

I've found very little on the Koni Special Active shocks for the S4 either on this forum or the wider internet, so I hope this is useful.

For a long time I've felt my car just didn't feel very sporty. The suspension managed to be both relatively firm over bumps and 'wallowy' over longer undulations in the road, giving the impression the suspension was giving up on controlling the cars mass. It also didn't like changing direction very much. I've read fairly poor things about the stock s-line suspension (not active) and the garage eyeballed the dampers and said they were fine, so I don't think anything was 'broken', however, even though they weren't obviously leaking, I assume the fronts at least were passed their best (60k miles) although the rears were only a couple years (<10K miles) old.

I was looking into Bilstein B6's or B8's (not looking to lower the car), but I was a bit worried I'd find them over harsh on our rough roads. For context I had a 1st gen (8P) RS3 for a while and the ride was WAY too hard for me. I approached a Bilstein vendor who informed me that the Bilsteins were out of stock and not due in for 3 months..! But suggested after some discussion that the Koni Special Actives might suit me.

Fast forward a few weeks and I get them fitted, pick up the car and... 100 yards out the garage and out onto a smooth dual carriage way, my first thought was that I couldn't feel any difference. The car is more comfortable than stock. But the more I drove over roads I knew, the more I noticed that the body was much better controlled than with the stock dampers. The slightly wallowy feeling had been banished. The first time I tipped into a corner with a bit of enthusiasm, the dampers revealed themselves - the car is much more responsive, more composed, more predictable and willing to go in the direction it's being steered in. When I unload the steering on the exit of the corner, the car doesn't "bounce back", like it did before either. It is SO much more fun than the stock dampers to drive.

These are not super firm dampers. Those of you seeking a 'zero roll', 'zero compromise' set ups aren't likely to want these. For me though, general ride comfort is better than stock while turn in is much improved (in fact it feels a little like I fitted a slightly uprated rear antiroll bar), the body mass is finally controlled on the road undulations and the car is fun. I should have done this years ago.

EDIT: I have moved from the B8.5 to a B9 S4 and I feel I should update this review. I stand by the general thrust of my review, but my B9 (standard suspension) is much firmer than the B8.5 was on both the stock and FSD's so I guess in some eyes this would make the FSD's pretty soft.

[Corydms7]

Great review. I was honestly gonna go with these when mine needed replaced. My factory struts and shocks at 55-60k miles were blown. When I removed them, the rods would compress and not come back up and decompress at all. Only 1 of the rear shocks came back up like half way then stopped. Lol. Mine was firm, but over big manhole covers it just seemed numb. Not only being numb, it felt like the suspension wouldn’t settle right away. I ended up getting $65 KYB struts off rock auto. Have had them in for 10-15k miles and they are great. The same as oem ride quality.



I've found very little on the Koni Special Active shocks for the S4 either on this forum or the wider internet, so I hope this is useful.

For a long time I've felt my car just didn't feel very sporty. The suspension managed to be both relatively firm over bumps and 'wallowy' over longer undulations in the road, giving the impression the suspension was giving up on controlling the cars mass. It also didn't like changing direction very much. I've read fairly poor things about the stock s-line suspension (not active) and the garage eyeballed the dampers and said they were fine, so I don't think anything was 'broken', however, even though they weren't obviously leaking, I assume the fronts at least were passed their best (60k miles) although the rears were only a couple years (<10K miles) old.

I was looking into Bilstein B6's or B8's (not looking to lower the car), but I was a bit worried I'd find them over harsh on our rough roads. For context I had a 1st gen (8P) RS3 for a while and the ride was WAY too hard for me. I approached a Bilstein vendor who informed me that the Bilsteins were out of stock and not due in for 3 months..! But suggested after some discussion that the Koni Special Actives might suit me.

Fast forward a few weeks and I get them fitted, pick up the car and... 100 yards out the garage and out onto a smooth dual carriage way, my first thought was that I couldn't feel any difference. The car is more comfortable than stock. But the more I drove over roads I knew, the more I noticed that the body was much better controlled than with the stock dampers. The slightly wallowy feeling had been banished. The first time I tipped into a corner with a bit of enthusiasm, the dampers revealed themselves - the car is much more responsive, more composed, more predictable and willing to go in the direction it's being steered in. When I unload the steering on the exit of the corner, the car doesn't "bounce back", like it did before either. It is SO much more fun than the stock dampers to drive.

These are not super firm dampers. Those of you seeking a 'zero roll', 'zero compromise' set ups aren't likely to want these. For me though, general ride comfort is better than stock while turn in is much improved (in fact it feels a little like I fitted a slightly uprated rear antiroll bar), the body mass is finally controlled on the road undulations and the car is fun. I should have done this years ago.

[Slvrbul8]

Glad to hear someone trying these on our platform. I plan to use these when my S4 needs replacements. I installed them on my 2005 330i about 5 years ago and they have been excellent!

[SLVRRO]

What incredibly good timing! I was doing my research into these last week, after my shop told me the rears (60K miles) needed to be replaced soon. ECS has the four in a kit for around $600, which seems quite reasonable vs. the factory replacements. Thank you so much!

[onlyaudis]

they were horrible on my B6 Audi, so hopefully they improved those shocks the past 7 years for Audis. My car just lurched upwards on every dip. I would still recommend the Koni yellow on full soft as a better alternative to the FSD's. been running them with my factory springs for 3 years and they are better than the stock shocks on both ride and handling.

[Nillamb]

they were horrible on my B6 Audi, so hopefully they improved those shocks the past 7 years for Audis. My car just lurched upwards on every dip. I would still recommend the Koni yellow on full soft as a better alternative to the FSD's. been running them with my factory springs for 3 years and they are better than the stock shocks on both ride and handling.

I don't feel these lurch, one of the things I specifically wanted to fix with the old set up was the poor body control and I do feel that's much improved. I would reiterate these are not firm shocks, however. I just had a bog standard A3 loan car (S-line suspension) and that was firmer. One of the things that makes me a bit nervous about reviewing stuff like exhausts and suspension is that there is such a wide range of personal tastes. But after a few more weeks I'm still very pleased with them.

[Atrevido]

Thanks for providing this helpful review; I know I'll need to replace mine sometime in the near future. I did a search for these shocks but came up with numerous results
at various price points. By any chance, could you please provide the part number(s) you ordered?

[Nillamb]

Thanks for providing this helpful review; I know I'll need to replace mine sometime in the near future. I did a search for these shocks but came up with numerous results
at various price points. By any chance, could you please provide the part number(s) you ordered?

Sure :)

I ordered mine from Balance Motorsport. The chap there was really helpful - but this is a UK vendor.

KONI SPECIAL ACTIVE DAMPER - PART NO. 8245-1264
KONI SPECIAL ACTIVE DAMPER - PART NO. 8045-1265

I paid £450 for all 4 (plus fitting).

[Atrevido]

Sure :)

I ordered mine from Balance Motorsport. The chap there was really helpful - but this is a UK vendor.

KONI SPECIAL ACTIVE DAMPER - PART NO. 8245-1264
KONI SPECIAL ACTIVE DAMPER - PART NO. 8045-1265

I paid £450 for all 4 (plus fitting).

Thank you!

[SLVRRO]

Had the Toni's installed past week and I am enjoying the way they perform. DC Metro area roads being what they are, most noticeable when driving over recessed manhole covers and crappy roads. Much smoother ride over those.At first I thought I felt some wallow in the ride on smooth roads. Taking a long road trip soon and will see how that feels over time -- perhaps they need some break-in?

[Nillamb]

Had the Toni's installed past week and I am enjoying the way they perform. DC Metro area roads being what they are, most noticeable when driving over recessed manhole covers and crappy roads. Much smoother ride over those.At first I thought I felt some wallow in the ride on smooth roads. Taking a long road trip soon and will see how that feels over time -- perhaps they need some break-in?

Can't say I notice 'wallow', but these are quite soft dampers. I would definitely say they were comfort orientated rather than outright sport orientated. Having had these a few months, I wonder if I'd have preferred the Bilsteins, but equally I could have got Bilsteinss and felt they were too firm so...

[WurstS4]

I’m curious about these too. I’m getting new control arms, doing upgraded sway bars, just did the cr-15 bar, and thinking I’ll do the shocks as well, car will have about 96-97k on it when all this gets done.

I’m worried these will be too soft for my liking, but at the same time I like the idea of a slightly softer ride, as long as it isn’t floaty and super rolly, roads in NJ are atrocious, especially in winter.

[WurstS4]

Can't say I notice 'wallow', but these are quite soft dampers. I would definitely say they were comfort orientated rather than outright sport orientated. Having had these a few months, I wonder if I'd have preferred the Bilsteins, but equally I could have got Bilsteinss and felt they were too firm so...
So are they softer than OEM?

More roll, more float?

[onlyaudis]

get the Koni yellows instead. Not a fan of the FSD's on heavy cars like the S4

[SwankPeRFection]

get the Koni yellows instead. Not a fan of the FSD's on heavy cars like the S4

Aren’t the yellows adjustable only from the top? That’s basically never going to happen on an S4 without having to take them out each time as the tops aren’t exposed.

[grovlet]

Aren’t the yellows adjustable only from the top? That’s basically never going to happen on an S4 without having to take them out each time as the tops aren’t exposed.

True on almost any car with Konis - they come with a flexible adjuster but even with that you still require drilling a hole for rears....

Konis are truly more of a "Set it & Forget it" adjustable shock - you set them once on install - maybe adjust them once shortly after (typically halfway removed to adjust) - but then leave them alone until they need a rebuild.... A solid performance option for the price - but if you think you need to change settings regularly - they are not an option I would suggest for that.

[onlyaudis]

Aren’t the yellows adjustable only from the top? That’s basically never going to happen on an S4 without having to take them out each time as the tops aren’t exposed.

I have Koni yellows on my 2012 . Stock springs and Konis on full soft. OEM plus handling and ride quality

[mrpeterparker]

I recently put the red Koni actives on my car with HR springs.

Overall super happy with the ride quality for a daily driver. However I seem to be bottoming out on the bump stocks on the rears.

Was I not suppose to reuse the OEM bump stocks and only use those white plastic collars they came with?