Koni FSD cheaper alternative- Monroe Reflex shocks

Front shocks & top mounts were fitted today... My indie Audi/VW mechanic described it as a complete b**** of a job and has long suspected that some ex-Citroen engineers may have been involved in the design due to the appalling lack of access. So I'm expecting a bill for many hours labour. The top mounts were absolutely shot and one of the OE shocks had completely collapsed i.e. it was unable to return to full length after being compressed. Suffice to say that the car now feels and rides much better. Sadly it hasn't got rid of all the clicks & knocks though so given the state of the components replaced today I'm suspecting that other suspension components may be in a similar condition. Any thoughts as to the normal culprits?

All-in-all its fair to say that I'm somewhat underwhelmed by the longevity of these parts. My 1996 Mercedes has done almost 200K and has absolutely no clicks/knocks/taps/rattles from anywhere. By comparison the 2005 A2 @ 98K (despite being better than many cars of its age) is a tin crate full of rattly stuff :(

Ho hum, another restoration job :rolleyes:

John
 
Intercept said:
... and has long suspected that some ex-Citroen engineers may have been involved in the design due to the appalling lack of access.

John
Click to expand...


Haha! :D

Different parts on different cars fail or wear out in different ways, for example rear axle bushes; on a mk4 Golf it sounds like the floors going to get ripped off of the car, on similar age Passats there's no sound, nothing at all, yet when inspected it's clear how worn and sloppy they've become. I suspect your Mercedes may be a W124 (I hope so at least :cool:) which is almost unfair to judge any car against :D


For general reference I'll add that I've had Monroe Reflex on mine for the past 65k and three-ish years and they feel like they'll do the same again easily enough. There's perhaps the first sign of them softening a touch but I've been changing tyres about a bit at the mo so it may be that. They've been given a pretty thorough testing through a very wide range of temperatures and conditions by me and they're still fine physically, comfortable enough for a scoot across europe in one hit, and relish spirited driving on minor country roads and european motorway speeds. I wonder if they work so well at the last bit because they're rated for a heavier car (the Polo/Fabia/Ibiza), higher speeds and/or larger bumps (one nsl road had a similar surface to a crinkly crisp so combined the two) moving the damper further it's stroke than normal when on an A2, so they work more as they would on a heavier car in normal use, thus working better than normal and soaking up hard use. This is where the 1.4 petrol's lightness is unhelpful, the fsi & tdi are at least a similar front axle load to a base, non a/c Polo so at the bottom limit of their intended use.

Nutshell; they work well, they last well :eek:
 
That's good to know - thanks. Yes the Mercedes is a 1996 W124 estate, so probably an unfair comparison for build quality. There's no way that that a 1997 model would be in such good condition - or even still exist. The A2 gets 2.5x more MPG, but running costs involve much more than just fuel. I've had it for 13 years now and I am seriously considering spending £5k fully restoring it as a daily use classic rather than spending 3x that buying the modern equivalent which would be more complex, depreciate plenty and cost more to maintain. http://www.w124.co.uk/
 
It'd be good for another 13 years at least after that :cool:
I won't look at the site just yet, I know I want a coupe or cabrio but can't have one, so I'll avoid winding myself up. For an hour or two at least...

I don't know how long you've had the A2 or how many miles you do in it, but I've done more miles in mine now than it had done when I got it, and the parts I renewed when I got it (like other suspension parts with the dampers) are lasting much longer, the brakes muchly so; I renewed the pads and discs at 63k, and 62k miles on they barely look touched. I know there are many variables to affect things, but you must drive with some care and sympathy to have had a car for 13 years so it wouldn't surprise me if you get a lot more life out of the new parts than the old.
 
Let's hope so. The A2 is the wife's car which gets used for business and general runaround. We've had it for about 6 months and only done about 4k so far. However, the intention is that it'll take us to Southern France this summer and this is driving the refurb, which will include a Stealth visit later this month for a few more horses and cruise control.
 
Intercept said:
...long suspected that some ex-Citroen engineers may have been involved in the design due to the appalling lack of access. ...
Click to expand...

while it is the best for access, but you have to consider the trade off. There is only so much space under the very short bonnet of the A2. Now, try changing a front light bulb on a Honda Jazz or Renault Megane...
 
I know it's an old post, but for what it's worth:

After much deliberation as to replacements finally went for the not so expensive option!

Monroe Reflex (E4998) and Spidan Springs (49515) fitted yesterday along with new top bearings and it's much improved comfort without negatively affecting handling compared with the original sports version on my 2004 tdi 90. Gone is the harshness of the originals. My driving involves too many city speedhumps and potholes to make razor sharp handling a must though even some enthusiastic cornering isn't showing any nasty traits.

It took about 3.5 hours and is fiddly but straightforward. The worst part is the top 3 mounting bolts on the drivers side (rhd) - moving the brake fluid reservoir and brackets taking half an hour! If I had to do it again it'd be about 2.5 hours. Key to easy dismantling is the special tool to spread the clamp of the stub axle open.

Rears are waiting until the weekend to do, I'm hoping they'll be easier to do! (Monroe E1308 and Spidan 49546) as has had positive reviews here.

So far recommended upgrade!
 
Mine have been on for two and a half years now and they're absolutely brilliant. Nice, firm but still comfortable ride, with a well planted and precise feel, and no hint of the bone hard harshness of the Koni's.

I had a look under the arches the other day and note that also unlike the Koni's the Monroes haven't rusted away to nothing.

Add in the much cheaper price and they're a no brainer for me...
 
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Reading up on this, I had a look on Mister Auto, and there are two option for the A2:

E4998 = For vehicle with reinforced suspension / for vehicles with sports suspension
G16309 = For vehicles with standard chassis

I have a 1.6FSI SE, so it would have the standard suspension. My question is, if I was changing everything, could I go for the sports suspension components?

Thanks.
 
Hi guys,

Sorry to rake up an old thread on a subject about which much has been written but......my OSR spring broke this morning which has potentially accelerated the need/desire to sort out the suspension. Unfortunately, as it's broken I'm unlikely to be able to drive the 70 miles to A2 Cars which would be my first choice. :(

So, I've probably got to get a local shop to do this but I want to buy and supply the parts. So I have a few questions which I don't think have been covered elsewhere or if they have - my simple minds just needs some clarification.

My car is a standard Tdi on 15" wheels and comfort is the priority. I also need to be budget conscious albeit not "the cheapest at all costs".

1. Springs. I've read that Audi springs are preferred but are there any other non-sports spring recommendations? I will probably be replacing them all round. Carparts4less seems to distinguish between with and without OSS too. Is that actually a factor?

2. Monroe Reflex shocks. E4998 or G16309? I can't seem to definitely work out what's right for a Tdi non-sports. Is "reinforced suspension" a factor here?

3. The Amazon site is not clear about whether E1308 or E1309 are the correct fitment for a non-sport Tdi. Can anyone confirm absolutely which i need?

4. Other essential parts required (as opposed to "nice to replace"). Bump stops are definitely on the list but what else to I have to supply to the fitting garage which is unlikely to be a VAG specialist but is a very good tyre and suspension shop?

Thanks in advance for your indulgence and patience. :D
 
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Hi gonzo how much of the spring is now missing? I think I have my original se springs in the garage you are welcome to borrow one until your able to get the parts and go to a2cars. Cheers Mike I'm in Maldon so we can't be far apart?
 
I am concidering new shocks and maybe springs.
Victim is: A2 66kw OSS S-Line that has done 175k km.

I'm looking for more comfort and probably will change the current 17" to pepperpots 15" to get more profile on the rubber.

Monroe offers the E4998 fronts > easy.
E1908/9 for the rear, (8=strenghted chassis, 9=sport suspension) which one should I go for with OSS?

Should I replace the original S-line springs too to get more smoother rider, if so what would be the suggestion OEM A2 non s-line?
 
I have new Munroe shock absorbers all round with genuine Audi non sport springs. It is a very comfortable set up all round. Ive run both 15" pepperpots and standard 16" se wheels and found the pepperpots to increase fuel economy because they are very light. Although they are the most comfortable ride i found the pepperpots a little "bouncy" and am very happy on the 16" SE,s. They are a fine compromise between comfort and handling - just as it was originally designed !.

Ta
Dave
:)
 
Had mine on my car for two and a half years now, and they are still like new, with no rust or deterioration in performance. Run them with standard SE springs and you'll have a beautifully supple ride with very good handling. Bilsteins and rusty Koni's are too firm leading to many people downgrading to 15" wheels and tyres to get away from the bone shaking ride. Run with Monroe's and you can still use any low profile tyre/wheel combination in the real world of everyday driving.

The added bonus of course being the price. A bargain compared with the other alternatives. There's a full list of part numbers at the top of this thread. Enjoy!
 
I think it was Murdo that advised me re the price difference between Koni,s and Munro,s. The Koni,s simply arn,t worth the extra and i agree with him - good advice !.:)
 
hi friends
the bilstein b4 very noisy and uncomfortable after 3 years and 60k km.so i bought 4 monroe reflex at very cheap price...120 euro[90 gbp]on ebay seller[ebay.de].
i put at next days.i hope find this reflex comfortable and quiet.
 
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