For review : Koni STR.T absorbers, combined with neuspeed sport coils Old stuff for benchmark: Bilstein TC absorbers with stock springs I am comparing to the Tc's which are a bit stiffer than stock. Lowered 2-2.5\" total Bound feels a lot stiffer than the TC's, by 20-25% estimate. Rebound seems about equal to bound, they jump back quick and the car doesn't float or feel malibu at all. Semi Rough road gets chewed up and spit out, like any mk1 you can still feel the road very well, but my immediate impression is that they actually handle the semi-rough roads a bit better than the TCs did Corner dive isn't so bad while cornering hard, in fact it is a vast improvement over the TC's. I regularly take a 90 degree turn at the posted speed limit without tapping my brakes, with the new suspension I have to relearn how to enter the corner, the suspension used to bounce/roll and cause front end slide a bit, today after an alignment I took the corner once and it felt like it was glued to the ground. Conclusion: The Koni's are awesome, especially for the price.
Owner reviews for shock absorbers
There's a difference, but it isn't great, I ran mk1 rear Koni's on my old syncro with a pair of Jetta GTI 16v rear springs, and regular mk2 Koni and 16v golf front springs, and it sat level, and handled great.
For shocks, I would use the Bilstein sports instead of HD's if you plan to use lowering springs. (R32 fronts and Jetta rears)
For the handling and ride comfort: Koni FSD - 560.00 shipped (free install kit comes with R32/TT solid rubber bushes, strut mounts and bearings) (FSD not to be used with sport or race springs) or Bilstein HD - 520.00 shipped (probably a firmer and sometimes harsher ride than Koni, but also probably not that bad if your streets are any good) (does not come with free install kit, so add 60.00 to the refresh)
Koni FSRs are good too, had them for awhile now, and not too firm, but good handling.
I have had this setup for a few months now, but figured I should post up on the Vortex so people can see it. Ground Control Coilover Conversion kit 400/300 spring rates mated to Bilstein Sport front (insert) and rear.
Jim was not happy with the stiff set up and changed it to use Koni's. Koni's had much lighter rebound damping which Jim liked.
I have the FSDs on my Passat and love them. Gives much better turn-in (and a more neutral and composed behavior in curves) - something the TDI lacks because the front springs and sway bar are much more modest than in the GTI.
People complained about the rears lifting up too high.
I wouldn't run Bilsteins myself since they make the ride too hard to my arse.
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