Koni Adjustable Shocks, STD, Coilovers Ahh what to do!

[Daz.]

Anyone run the Konis day to day? what is the ride quality like with them? Still can't decide on which setup to go with!

I like driving quickly to work, its one of those smooth then bumpy then smooth then tight then sweeping then bumpy type of roads lol..

On the std 172 suspension theres too much roll for me, I'd wager its more the height than the std suspension setup as it feels very much like my willy did on the same road though the willy sat lower down on std suspension so felt better there was still roll but in all it just felt easier to push on, swapping to cup turinis has helped already with the improved offset (still 195 tyres) so I'm heading in the right direction!

I'm a tad worried that sportlines on koni shocks will add to much unwanted harshness to the ride but without any knowledge of them I can't say!

So it's either sportlines on their own - best for ride but not my preferred height or stance...

Sportlines and konis - same height as above but with some choice of ride quality (but dependant on how harsh the softest setting is if you get my drift!)

Coilovers - not sure if I warrant them, the option to pick my ride height is nice but this is coming from a guy who has always put cars he's bought back to std suspension lol, I'd love something that was ridiculously good at going round corners fast and flat but was like a hot air baloon for comfort!

As you can see I'm in a pickle - given the choice of looks vs handling I'll take handling everytime but I'm not an old man so a bit of a thumpy ride on harsh roads won't make me cry if I'm actually making faster progress round the corners

HELP!

 

[W17GLE]

spotlines and konis are supposed to be one of the best road setups you can get. I've got sportlines on and it improved the handling but as you say it doesn't drop it very much. My mate had koni sport dampers with koni springs on his xsara and when i drove that it handled so well it cornered flat but wasn''t harsh like some other suspension kits. After driving his car that is what made me want the koni dampers.
One suggestion i could make is try looking at Fk Konnigsport coilovers as these use koni dampers but are also height adjustable as well as damping adjustable.

 

[Daz.]

Hmmm,

I've already got the shocks and springs, the shocks just need a little bit of paint love

Just don't want to pay to get them on and regret it thats all! But like you say from what I've read (although theres not much info on here about people using the konis) they seem liked.

 

[.Kev.]

Ive got Koni's and ive tryed them on the koni supplied springs an pro lines. None of which sit low enough for me or firm enough, even when fully wound to stiff.

Purchased a Whitline Anti Roll Bar still feels a bit wobbly. My friend has the sport lines and it sits a bit lower but imo its still to soft.

At last years track day at Marham i was trying to keep up with Chrispyclio from this forum im not sure what he's running in the way of coilovers but on the straights there was nothing in it, when it came to corners though his car was so flat and composed going in, where as mine seemed to lurch. Again set to stiff. Because of this id back off sooner or slow down and he'd be gone.

My next step is to go for a set of adjustable coilovers, FK or GAZ. Ive read people's reviews on here and ive taken them on board but im going to try them for myself.

 

[davo172]

I would like to know this too ?

Ran Koni Top adj on two of my previous cars and was impressed but not sure what to do with the 172 would like the coilovers but still the konis seem a good bet :S

 

[rory182]

I have Konis and sportlines it handles great, it turns in great, I can't remember it bodyrolling any time recently...

But the roads are in such a state after such a prolonged winter (we had ice for a month solid) that the sheer volume of potholes / bodged repairs makes it feel pretty harsh IMO.

I have 2 degrees negative camber up front as a result of fitting this setup, so I'll be fitting camber correcting bolts and having the geometry adjusted when I get new tyres up front to prevent excessive wear.

I run them on the softest setting on the road too and it's pretty stiff!

 

[Jonny1*2]

Mark Fish adjusts the konis so could be made harder I believe.

Coilovers have more flexibility although you're probably looking at around £600 mark for the konis and springs and you'll be looking mid range coilover wise at this price.

 

[Daz.]

Like I said thought I already have the springs and shocks so swapping to coils would mean selling the others and putting a few quid towards them.

 

[Jonny1*2]

Like I said thought I already have the springs and shocks so swapping to coils would mean selling the others and putting a few quid towards them.

True, but you'll not get much for the standard setup really. £100 at the most. I'd save a bit more and go for the KW's, but if it's just for road there might be no point.

Problem is if you lower too much on the standard shock, the rebound/compression settings won't respond well. They need a certain range of travel to keep the wheels in touch with the road and prevent the car from jerking around. I believe the sportlines aren't too bad though on standard setup. If you feel the body role is a problem then stiffer springs and dampers will help, as will lowering, but the more you do this, the more comfort is lost. It's a mine field deciding suspension. I'm hoping a certain Birmingham specialist will be bringing good news on some new ones soon

 

[Cup_Phil]

I've not driven a 172 or cup with standard setup - but I currently have sportlines and it's very harsh. Stiffer ride than my 106 was on billies!

So I'm currently selling my sportlines and going for KTR coilovers - as I'd like the car to sit lower and I'd like a bit more forgiving ride

 

[ForceIndia]

Koni's+sportlines+whiteline rear ARB.

 

[Daz.]

True, but you'll not get much for the standard setup really. £100 at the most. I'd save a bit more and go for the KW's, but if it's just for road there might be no point.

Problem is if you lower too much on the standard shock, the rebound/compression settings won't respond well. They need a certain range of travel to keep the wheels in touch with the road and prevent the car from jerking around. I believe the sportlines aren't too bad though on standard setup. If you feel the body role is a problem then stiffer springs and dampers will help, as will lowering, but the more you do this, the more comfort is lost. It's a mine field deciding suspension. I'm hoping a certain Birmingham specialist will be bringing good news on some new ones soon

No I mean I could sell on the konis and the sportlines, got a few things to sell actually so they'd be free

 

[Jonny1*2]

ah, so you've got koni's at the mo? :S getting confused now

 

[Daz.]

aye sportlines and konis are sat in the spare room, plus I'm owed £100 so I wouldn't have to put much too

 

[kaz16]

i have koni's and sportlines and its perfect for me, although ive never been in a 1*2 with collies.

There is alot of difference between the soft and hard setting on the koni's, when its soft you bounce along everywher going in to corners thinking is it going to tip over lol but on the hard setting its as planted as anything and you can swing it in to any corners with no worry's

 

[Daz.]

Would love someone who'd had all of them

 

[Gaz_]

Unless your spending £££ i'd stick with the Koni sport/proline set up. On my old Cup i REALLY rated the prolines. Hardly any visual drop, but very good cross country. Most coilovers imo can be harsh if opening the taps over a bumpy B road

 

[shiftspark]

I have koni & sportlines fitted but Mark Fish has revalved the rear so they can go much stiffer.
On the softer settings I'd say they are very much like my Trophy was.
Well worth it,give Mark Fish a ring.
HTH

 

[Daz.]

Ooo that sounds nice - think I'll stick with these then

 

[z1co80]

I just got my sportlines fitted yesterday and even though they need time to bed in am happy about the height, not to low to hit those f**king speed bumps and not to high.

I am however looking for the best and cheapest place to order the koni's from so could anyone post where they got theirs from? potn is the only place i have seen them.

 

[caister]

konis + prolines + whiteline ARB = the perfect road setup imo.

The cheapest place I found for Konis was larkspeed.

 

[luis_villarruel]

go for coilovers!

 

[Jamie]

Daz, my friend has the sportlines have to say I do rate them. Lower the car nicely but not too firm. It's actually just a bit softer than mine as standard which I think is pretty good as the Trophy is very firm for commuting.