simes2024
A2OC Donor
Here is an update for anybody who recently took an interest in or advised me on a recent suspension upgrade. Firstly some background info:
Having only used the services of Stealth Racing a for remap a few weeks ago I rang Vince to report that my top mounts had gone and that perhaps I should probably consider this an opportunity to upgrade the suspension. He agreed and recommended Koni FSD shocks with Weitec springs. I mulled over his recommendation (and the considerable £800+ cost) but also decided to invite opinion from other A2OC members; almost unanimously I was advised to avoid the Koni shock absorbers.....I would say perhaps only 10% of members offered a positive opinion.
The reasons for this were that those who had Koni's fitted (albeit around 2006-2007) had suffered unacceptable amounts of corrosion. Some people also commented that the new suspension geometry had created a premature tyre wear problem.
The forum discussions went on at length, though it did become clear that Koni would honour their lifetime warranty and replace any 'faulty' units - though this proved little comfort when your car would not be available for a month while waiting for parts to be shipped abroad to be analyzed and verified.
I took this on board and I decided to have the Bilstein B4 shocks fitted instead as they were largely favoured by those who had them fitted, with the added bonus that they were considerably cheaper. I ordered the 4 shock absorbers and front springs from Germany at a cost of around £250; my A2 has a 1.4 tdi engine so the advice was to order the Spidan 49515 springs, them being of oem specification but of better manufacturing quality.
The quote for the fitting at Stealth racing was very much worth the 130 mile round trip from St Albans, so I had it all done at the end of March. While there I mentioned to Vince and his team the large contingent of unhappy Koni FSD owners I had encountered. He was fully aware of the 'problem' with 7/8 year old Koni shocks but assured me the issue had been addressed and still valued Koni for their after-sales service, something other shock absorber manufacturers would not provide as extensively. This, however was all just mildly irrelevant chat, brand new Bilsteins having just been fitted and all.
Having driven around 500 miles since since the upgrade and thought I would now share my conclusions with any A2OC members who happen to be still reading my waffle so far:
1. There is a definite improvement in handling and turning
2. There is some improvement in the stability of the vehicle but I have to admit I was expecting better
3. There is still a considerable amount of steering wheel vibration on bumpier roads, though this could be down to poor wheel balancing or alignment (see 5)
3a. Noticed today that the car drives better on my steel wheels with 195 55 15 winter tyres
4. The front of the car is clearly an inch or so higher than perhaps it should be. This is despite first hand advice from those who had had the same shock and spring combination fitted who experienced no such 'lift'......now, it doesn't bother me a great deal.....and is not noticeable when driving; I do wonder (and hope) whether it will lower to normal height over time.
5. When Vince checked the wheel alignment it was so far out of kilter that he told me it was almost impossible to put it right. The camber is almost double the tolerance allowed. The good news being though that the poor reading is matched on both sides....so at least it's consistently bad. I won't pretend to possess a comprehensive grasp of the science of wheel alignment, but Vince said in some cases (unfortunately not mine) the sub-frame could be rotated to compensate. I think this would perhaps only apply if, for instance, one wheel was toeing in and the other toeing out......
I welcome comments from A2OC members who have advice or may have experienced something similar.
Picture of the side of the car showing raised front is attached along with a scan of the wheel alignment test.
Cheers
-Simon
Having only used the services of Stealth Racing a for remap a few weeks ago I rang Vince to report that my top mounts had gone and that perhaps I should probably consider this an opportunity to upgrade the suspension. He agreed and recommended Koni FSD shocks with Weitec springs. I mulled over his recommendation (and the considerable £800+ cost) but also decided to invite opinion from other A2OC members; almost unanimously I was advised to avoid the Koni shock absorbers.....I would say perhaps only 10% of members offered a positive opinion.
The reasons for this were that those who had Koni's fitted (albeit around 2006-2007) had suffered unacceptable amounts of corrosion. Some people also commented that the new suspension geometry had created a premature tyre wear problem.
The forum discussions went on at length, though it did become clear that Koni would honour their lifetime warranty and replace any 'faulty' units - though this proved little comfort when your car would not be available for a month while waiting for parts to be shipped abroad to be analyzed and verified.
I took this on board and I decided to have the Bilstein B4 shocks fitted instead as they were largely favoured by those who had them fitted, with the added bonus that they were considerably cheaper. I ordered the 4 shock absorbers and front springs from Germany at a cost of around £250; my A2 has a 1.4 tdi engine so the advice was to order the Spidan 49515 springs, them being of oem specification but of better manufacturing quality.
The quote for the fitting at Stealth racing was very much worth the 130 mile round trip from St Albans, so I had it all done at the end of March. While there I mentioned to Vince and his team the large contingent of unhappy Koni FSD owners I had encountered. He was fully aware of the 'problem' with 7/8 year old Koni shocks but assured me the issue had been addressed and still valued Koni for their after-sales service, something other shock absorber manufacturers would not provide as extensively. This, however was all just mildly irrelevant chat, brand new Bilsteins having just been fitted and all.
Having driven around 500 miles since since the upgrade and thought I would now share my conclusions with any A2OC members who happen to be still reading my waffle so far:
1. There is a definite improvement in handling and turning
2. There is some improvement in the stability of the vehicle but I have to admit I was expecting better
3. There is still a considerable amount of steering wheel vibration on bumpier roads, though this could be down to poor wheel balancing or alignment (see 5)
3a. Noticed today that the car drives better on my steel wheels with 195 55 15 winter tyres
4. The front of the car is clearly an inch or so higher than perhaps it should be. This is despite first hand advice from those who had had the same shock and spring combination fitted who experienced no such 'lift'......now, it doesn't bother me a great deal.....and is not noticeable when driving; I do wonder (and hope) whether it will lower to normal height over time.
5. When Vince checked the wheel alignment it was so far out of kilter that he told me it was almost impossible to put it right. The camber is almost double the tolerance allowed. The good news being though that the poor reading is matched on both sides....so at least it's consistently bad. I won't pretend to possess a comprehensive grasp of the science of wheel alignment, but Vince said in some cases (unfortunately not mine) the sub-frame could be rotated to compensate. I think this would perhaps only apply if, for instance, one wheel was toeing in and the other toeing out......
I welcome comments from A2OC members who have advice or may have experienced something similar.
Picture of the side of the car showing raised front is attached along with a scan of the wheel alignment test.
Cheers
-Simon