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      09-25-2019, 03:17 PM   #23
scostu
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WagonR View Post
Any updates? Any ability to attribute changes to the shocks/struts vs. the springs? When you talk about being in comfort vs. sport mode; does the car have EDC? Does this setup regain EDC? Or is this related to the tuning outside of the suspension?
I was on standard suspension. Non EDC. This setup is not recommended to replace OEM EDC.

From my research on this forum of previous posts that on standard suspension,
changing springs only was unpleasant.

I did springs and struts/shocks at same time. I paid my Indy mechanic to do install and it was NOT cheap. So I didn’t want to do just springs and then go back a. month later to install struts/shocks.

I was also referring the steering feel tightening up. And that now comfort mode feels like Sport mode reference the firming up of the steering wheel.

I’ve never driven the F25 platform with EDC....so I can’t compare the two different suspensions.
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      09-25-2019, 06:10 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scostu View Post
Install completed.
Comfort mode is tighter in steering feel. Sport mode is tighter too.
AFAIK, unless you have M sport or EDC, the comfort or sport modes will have zero effect on the steering feel.
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      09-25-2019, 06:45 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pungo View Post
AFAIK, unless you have M sport or EDC, the comfort or sport modes will have zero effect on the steering feel.
My F25 is Msport. The steering wheel "firms", "tightens" up going from Comfort to Sport mode.
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      09-25-2019, 07:28 PM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scostu View Post
My F25 is Msport. The steering wheel "firms", "tightens" up going from Comfort to Sport mode.
Variable Sport Steering not only adjusts the steering force, it also adjusts the steering ratio when in sports mode.
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      09-26-2019, 08:29 AM   #27
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I ordered the same shocks/struts from tire rack (they have the best price right now). Hopefully they all come in new condition. I am sticking with OEM springs though, no desire for any lowering here.
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      09-27-2019, 10:04 PM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scostu View Post
I was on standard suspension. Non EDC. This setup is not recommended to replace OEM EDC.

From my research on this forum of previous posts that on standard suspension,
changing springs only was unpleasant.

I did springs and struts/shocks at same time. I paid my Indy mechanic to do install and it was NOT cheap. So I didn’t want to do just springs and then go back a. month later to install struts/shocks.

I was also referring the steering feel tightening up. And that now comfort mode feels like Sport mode reference the firming up of the steering wheel.

I’ve never driven the F25 platform with EDC....so I can’t compare the two different suspensions.
Thanks. I didn't think the shocks/struts were EDC compatible...in fact, I think what they're trying to replicate is a "dynamic" EDC setup without the electronic control. It just seemed odd to me that you were referencing different modes (sport/sport+) when the shocks/struts were not controlled by that.

However, I get what you were saying; the increased precision with the suspension made the steering feel like it was bumped up, without any of the electronic intervention.
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      09-27-2019, 10:05 PM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by najnad View Post
I ordered the same shocks/struts from tire rack (they have the best price right now). Hopefully they all come in new condition. I am sticking with OEM springs though, no desire for any lowering here.
Please let us know how they work. A factory setup with the updated shocks/struts is what a lot of us would look to do.
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      11-17-2019, 09:57 PM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WagonR View Post
Please let us know how they work. A factory setup with the updated shocks/struts is what a lot of us would look to do.
I finally had them installed with my OEM springs. I like them, but comparing to OEM that had 125k miles on them, so might be just the new parts effect, not sure. But I do think it rides smoother in all aspects now than it did before.
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      10-28-2020, 07:30 AM   #31
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~10k miles on the Koni special actives and doing great. Recommend them to anyone who needs new shocks/struts...my mechanic says they are the most overlooked part for replacement as they decay over time and the driver just gets used to a harsher ride.
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      06-23-2021, 02:58 PM   #32
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Looking at a set right now, waiting to be installed over the coming weekend. Pretty red under the wheel wells. Have them on my e89 z4 and love them.
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      06-24-2021, 05:55 PM   #33
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I also had the koni actives installed last week, feels a little firmer than stock (in a good way), nothing dramatically harsh when hitting bumps etc (NYC area). I'm on stock springs, but was searching for eibachs but discontinued in the US apparently, and the euro set no production till late august I was told.
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      06-24-2021, 06:06 PM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nyceric03 View Post
I also had the koni actives installed last week, feels a little firmer than stock (in a good way), nothing dramatically harsh when hitting bumps etc (NYC area). I'm on stock springs, but was searching for eibachs but discontinued in the US apparently, and the euro set no production till late august I was told.
What exact model Koni are those? Approximately how much to install?....how many miles did you get out of your original/stock shocks?

Thanks/Bill
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      06-25-2021, 11:20 AM   #35
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Well, add me to the list of those going with the Koni Special Actives (pn 87451381KT). ECS currently has them 20% off (so around $600), and despite the later estimated shipping date, mine came very quickly. I also got new top hats, bump stops, and nuts for suspension bolts that I'll undo on the install. Went with FCP Euro OE stuff for that, so maybe $700-$750 all in. I did consider replacing the rear springs as well, since those do seem prone to rusting and breaking, but mine looked fine. If it looks difference once I have them apart, then I'll replace them.

I'm at 90,000 miles on the car and I think that the factory struts/shocks have lived their lives. They're not leaking, but they do make a little noise on compression over speedbumps and such, and it's clear they're not helping as much on the turns. Honestly, they could have been replaced 15,000-20,000 miles ago.

I looked at just doing the Bilstein OE replacements (either standard, or the sport equivalent, which we didn't get as an option on the M Sport trims here). That route would save about $200 over the Konis, and I do think Bilstein makes a better product overall than Koni, but given how good the reviews on the Special Actives are, I decided to go with it.

The original plan was to install them this weekend, but it's going to be stupid hot this weekend (113 degrees on Sunday), so I may or may not be motivated to get in the garage and do them...
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      06-25-2021, 10:36 PM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wgosma View Post
What exact model Koni are those? Approximately how much to install?....how many miles did you get out of your original/stock shocks?

Thanks/Bill
Got them from Tirerack

Fronts
8745-1381L $152.57
8745-1381R $152.57

Rears
8245-1381M 2X $165.00

Had my indy install them for $480

My original shocks were in good condition ~68,000 miles but I wanted to change it up
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      06-25-2021, 10:41 PM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nyceric03 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wgosma View Post
What exact model Koni are those? Approximately how much to install?....how many miles did you get out of your original/stock shocks?

Thanks/Bill
Got them from Tirerack

Fronts
8745-1381L $152.57
8745-1381R $152.57

Rears
8245-1381M 2X $165.00

Had my indy install them for $480

My original shocks were in good condition ~68,000 miles but I wanted to change it up
Thanks- parts and the labor seem quite reasonable!
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      06-26-2021, 10:07 AM   #38
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WagonR: give us the update after the heatwave passes and install is complete.

Question: does your car have the regular suspension or is it M-sport?

thanks/Bill
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      06-30-2021, 01:17 AM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nyceric03 View Post
Got them from Tirerack

Fronts
8745-1381L $152.57
8745-1381R $152.57

Rears
8245-1381M 2X $165.00

Had my indy install them for $480

My original shocks were in good condition ~68,000 miles but I wanted to change it up
Thanks, for part numbers. I keep them in my wishlist
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      06-30-2021, 12:08 PM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Wgosma View Post
WagonR: give us the update after the heatwave passes and install is complete.

Question: does your car have the regular suspension or is it M-sport?

thanks/Bill
Finished the install last night. Did the fronts over the weekend, and got the rears handled after work yesterday. I'm going to take car on a 750 mile round trip over the 4th, so I'll update after that, but a few things of note:

- The shaft in the front struts of the Koni's is about 2" longer than OEM. This is intentional, there's a note in the box indicating as much. This results in VERY tight clearances getting the strut assembly back into the knuckled on reinstall. Needed some assistance from the wife for that part, and a decent level of swearing occurred.

- My rear springs were in really good shape. No coating chipping off or anything. The car was originally in California, and then here in Portland, where we don't really see snow or salt the roads, so that probably helped. I bought a set in case I needed to swap them while everything was out, but didn't feel it was necessary.

- The front struts were done. They would barely (very slowly) rebound when I compressed the shaft when they were uninstalled. Minimal resistance in compressing the shaft. They were not leaking, but clearly not working effectively. The rears actually seemed okay, very firm resistance in compressing the piston, and quick return to extension.

- The car seems slightly higher (should have measured before I started), notably in the front. Either stuff still needs to settle a bit, or the increased pressure of the fresh struts is raising the car a bit. I suppose more accurately the front of the car was probably sagging a bit from the worn out struts, but same idea.

- The car has the M-Sport package, which automatically deleted the Sport suspension from the factory, so it was the standard suspension. My initial impressions are a similar level of performance in the curves with more comfort over pot holes and the like. My preference would have been an increase in performance, with the technology keeping the comfort factory like, or a 50/50 mix, but I think these are closer to factory performance, increased comfort. Like I said, I'll report back next week after logging more miles.
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      06-30-2021, 12:44 PM   #41
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WagonR: good info, will look forward to your report after the trip..have a safe one.

My car is at same mileage as yours, fronts and rears seem good…no noise over bumps, no nosedive on hard braking…I think I can get more miles B4 a swap.

What's your estimate DIY hours to install? Need any special tools?
Thanks/Bill
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      06-30-2021, 02:03 PM   #42
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I'd say it's a solid days work. It was hot and I wasn't in a huge hurry, so I took a bit longer, but you can do it in a day if you focus. There are a couple of special tools:

1) A bit to spread the knuckle to get the strut in/out. Here's a link for one https://www.ecstuning.com/b-schwaben...BoCQYMQAvD_BwE

2) To remove the nut holding the tophats to the shaft of the shock/struts you need a way to hold the allen key/torx in the top of the strut in place while undoing the nut. I use opened end socket set to accomplish this. That way I can pass through the allen/torx bit to hold the shaft from rotating while I undo the nut. This is similar to what I have https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-89...a-451165806905, 18mm was the nut size all around (I believe).

3) A spring compressor. I use this style https://www.amazon.com/OEMTOOLS-2555...a-813471951743, but there are others.
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      09-08-2021, 05:29 AM   #43
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Hi costu. I’m about to copy your suspension setup for my x3 non sport.

I also have 19” tyres but mine are run flat for now. Will change to flats ASAP.

My understanding is the eibach springs drops the car 30mm front and rear. Is this correct!

Also have you encountered problems bottoming out on road bumps?

Your
Feedback would be much apppreciated.
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      09-08-2021, 04:28 PM   #44
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Quote:
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My understanding is the eibach springs drops the car 30mm front and rear. Is this correct!
Yes.... per Eibach.... but I never took before/after measurements.

Quote:
Also have you encountered problems bottoming out on road bumps?
.
None.
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