New shocks, recommendations?

[flangermog]

I notice many of you have upgraded your shocks. I have to replace all four of mine in the near future and was wondering....

I find my 944 makes me a little sea sick on all these twisty English roads and I'd like to stiffen it up quite a bit. I was wondering what modifications you guys have tried and if the results were satisfactory.

I don't want to start stripping down and rebuilding the whole suspension system, ideally I'd just like to replace the shocks with something that will prevent the car tipping forwards and backwards during acceleration/braking and something that will help me get round those bends faster...

Whaddya think?

[1.2gees]

I would recommend bilsteins, and a search of the archives of this board...
Ahmet

[flangermog]

OK, thanks Ahmet. I searched through the lot but didn't really find an answer, some say Koni yellows are best, others say Bilstein it all seems quite debateable and much of a muchness from what people say.

A lot of people with the yellows seem to make a point of it in their signature, is this because they're expensive and they want to show off, or because they make a noticable difference?

I've only ever had OEM shocks and I'm not really sure if spending much more on struts will make such a huge difference. I appreciate that any new shocks are better than worn out ones.

Has anyone changed from OEM to Brand-x and noticed a vast improvement in the handling without lowering and new springs etc?

At the moment my car rolls around like a drunken whale. Not really sports car handling...

i have to keep the windows shut so the floormats don't escape!!

[Dantilla]

Co-knee.

I swapped to Koni sports on my old S2, then started winning autocrosses.

[scottmandue]

The PO put bilsteins on my car so I can't compare to stock but my old 944 doesn't waddle around like you describe.
I'm thinking of going to bigger sway bars, urathane(sp?) bushings, and 16" wheel to see if I can glue it to the road a little more. (if/when I get out of the red $$$)

[1.2gees]

I've written a lot about this issue, but in short I don't think Konis are as tough, nor as consistent as bilsteins. Also, biltsteins can handle extended operation at a different ride height compared to original without much of a problem. Most if not all other shocks I know of will suffer some damage from this.

I would go for either bilstein's heavy duty stuff, or the sport. Shocks will make a huge difference, if the rest of the suspension is tight.
Ahmet

[UconnTim97]

I have the Bilstein heavy duty's and they are great on my car with 16" Fuchs. The car is very solid, but I use it for everyday driving and it can be a little too stiff in the city, great everywhere else though.

[Techmonkey]

What is the price difference?

[flangermog]

Can't seem to get hold of Koni shocks,

My supplier has offered the following choices:

Bilstein

Sachs

Monroe

Does anyone know anything about the Sachs?
All I know is they come in pairs as opposed to the Bilsteins which are individually sold.

[97XRAY]

I believe that the Sachs / Boge Turbo strut inserts are the OEM replacement pieces.
I have the BOGE Turbo from Paragon. Note here, Turbo is just the name of insert - not an indication that the inserts are meant for a turbo only.
I love the BOGE, they're far less expensive than the Koni's, but won't compare on the track. For street driving stiffness can knowck your teeth out (adjustables are better by this particular logic)... it all depends how you're driving the car.
I love the Boge and I just street drive - no track for me.