Koni SA vs BC coilovers and which coffin arms.

[RetroRob]

It would be very interesting to know what they feel like at full soft. As then we know the range of tuning available and whether they’re a suitable alternative to softer standard shocks and Koni’s.

I appreciate it’s a bit of an ask though!

Yes, no problem. Its on my list of settings to test before I put the sub back in.
Its only two screw to remove the sub although a shame the dials are not more accessible so maybe a cruise and sport setup could be quickly switched between.
They sell extender knobs which could be handy at the front. A small hole in the plastic scuttle covers could be made.
In the rear the extenders would have to go through the sub housing to work.

 

[gizlaroc]

There is no way they will be as soft as Koni's. IMHO of course and I don't know that for a fact, but from my experience.

I ran Koni's with H&R, with standard springs they were too soft, and round town I would say, even with a proper 30mm drop, they were softer than oem Porsche dampers and springs.

When you press on the Koni's firm up, that is the whole point of them, but you could tell they were more composed when pressing on than the Porsche or Bilstein standard or M030 dampers, reaction time was just noticeably better, which is where most set ups fall apart.



I think people have got to really decide what that want from their suspension, the problem is, every set up will give you things your like and things you don't like or would like to improve on. It is very rare to get a car where it excels all the time. Plus, if you get something that handles well and is still comfy you always have that niggle saying "Ooh, maybe I could go a bit firmer and have even more composure." so you go a bit firmer and ruin it, or vice versa.

 

[RetroRob]

This is true, you only have to see how F1 teams vary from one race to another trying to get a setup just right.
I think as long as you get it so it doesn't feel wrong, its close to being right unless you are chasing track times.

 

[Nightshade]

What I like about the coilovers is the ability to stiffen them up as necessary. If the Koni’s are a little to soft then the only course of action is to change the springs which is costly, whereas with coilovers you can adjust the damper.

Also the ride height adjustment is appealing. I’m about to put 19” wheels on mine (shock horror hah) and unsure how that’ll affect the ride height with non-adjust shocks.

If the BCs can be softened off enough to be compliant over rough roads then they tick all the boxes

 

[RetroRob]

Tonight I cut two short lengths of rubber fuel hose. Drilled out the centre at one end just enough to push over the front shock adjuster dials.
Cut holes in the plastic scuttle covers and refitted them.
I can now make adjustments at the front with all covers back in place.
Had a look at the rears. I could maybe order the BC flexible extenders and route them up behind the sub. If they would flex enough I think friction would be too much to feel and count clicks.
Maybe if a length of solid plastic tube was slide over the rods to stop pinch points between the sub and back panel.
Hard to say without having them to play around with.
I have set to full soft ready for a short test run tomorrow.

 

[little fella]

I've got koni SA and vogtland springs, anyone know how these springs compare to H&R, Koni,, M030, in regards to spring rates as starting to find some of the roadsgetting quite harsh by me now.

 

[911munKy]

According to the specs I had for my C2 the M030 springs are slightly stiffer & Eibach are slightly stiffer at the front and much more at the rear than the Vogtland. I have tried the M030 & Eibach springs with M030 dampers.
My setup is on the harsh side on bumpy back roads, much more compliant with a passenger and some weight in the front & back seats though.

 

[RetroRob]

Todays update.
So I have done a test run with all four set to max soft. Its still sporty not boaty but most certainly better riding than it was on the originals.
Not quite as pointy and a tad more lean on a quick lap of a round about than at 10 clicks but very usable on poor road sufaces.
Set at 10 instead of zero there is more surface feedback to the steering wheel, it would depend on road quality which is better.

I think there is a bit more road noise than the OEM due to less rubber bushing although i have not put the foam infills back in the rear yet.
It could also be the road noise is more apparent as many of the interior trim rattles have gone due to the reduction in ride harshness.

From my previous experience of Koni SAs both on a bmw 1 series coupe and 944 Turbo M030 I'd say if pure refinement is your thing they would probably win.

For all round adjustability and cost the BCs are a good buy and simple to fit. No spring compressors to faff with.

The Koni SAs on both the cars I had required the rears to be unbolted to adjust them so didnt get much tweaking. I think the ones for the 996 are adjustable at the top both ends?

I have ordered one pair of BC adjustment extenders to try on the rears with the sub back in. Couldn't tell from the photos but they may run inside sleeves and work ok.
Ordered from a scooby site at £15 delivered. From what i can see the only difference is the cups are black not gold which you won't see anyway.

 

[RetroRob]

PS. I have now set the rear to 10 clicks and the front to 5. See how that works out on my next run. The roads around me are in poor shape, i think on decent roads 10-15 would work.

 

[Uncle Monty]

 

[Nightshade]

The Koni SAs on both the cars I had required the rears to be unbolted to adjust them so didnt get much tweaking. I think the ones for the 996 are adjustable at the top both ends?

Koni SAs aren’t adjustable, their sport shocks (the yellow ones) are, for rebound only.

Thanks for the update @RetroRob, that’s helpful. Hopefully with a bit more tweaking you’ll find a good balance between comfort and sportiness.

 

[RetroRob]

Koni SAs aren’t adjustable, their sport shocks (the yellow ones) are, for rebound only.

Thanks for the update @RetroRob, that’s helpful. Hopefully with a bit more tweaking you’ll find a good balance between comfort and sportiness.

I Have been quoting Koni SA meaning sport adjustables?

 

[Nightshade]

Ahh- I thought you meant Koni Special Actives

 

[RetroRob]

Oops yes I see now

 

[RetroRob]

BC Damping adjust extenders arrived today. Fitted in the rear and working with the sub back in place. Makes them slightly stiff but can still feel the clicks so all nice and neat. So now a 30 second job to adjust all 4. Cannot complain at that for swapping between touring /b roads and well surfaced stuff.