what dampers ?

[timba]

I thought I would put my thoughts on the H&R ARB and Koni damper set up as have had it on the car now for a few weeks.

At slow speeds the rear shocks are sh**te to be honest any uneven road surface and you can hear the back end knocking away (same opinion as Golich I think) but once speed up they ain't too bad, getting a slight loose feeling on the steering wheel as the fronts go over some small bumps occaisionally, now don't no wether my top mounts need doing or not, does feel tighter than 60k mile stock setup but it's just the low speed (around town) rear shocks that really Pi** me off as it feels like an empty van at the rear sometimes.

[S4INT]

I'm really surprised to hear this timba - mine doesn't display any of these traits There was a knocking noise that appeared earlier this year, but that was traced to a drop link and no knocking noises since. I've had the Konis for over a year and I've been really pleased. I think you are quite near to me (Brighton??) so would be interested to meet up and compare at some point? PM me if you want.

Cheers,

Paul.

[don]

I notice that koni states that the rears have to be removed to adjust them, which sounds like a pain. Perhaps they are not quite on the right setting?

[don]

I have been looking at the Bilstein PSS9s again, they are a coil over and 9 way adjustable compression and rebound. They seem to be a very reasonable price out of the US ebay at the momment and I've heard ajustment doesnt require removal of the shock. The seem to be equivalent to a KW Var 3.

The retailer claims to be able to supply any part number and has good feedback:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0121378098

I've found the part number here:

http://www.quadrantsuspensions.com.au/p ... ducts.html

I notice the part number for the RS4 is the same as the S4

GM5-8616

Can anyone confirm this, that they are the same part number?

[ewill]

Same part number for PSS9s for B5 S4 and RS4. The adjustment is for high speed valving rather than low speed, so mainly for float versus crash rather than adjusting handling, and can be carried out without removing shocks. Combined with a 17mm H&R ARB on the rear, I find that these work extremely well. Once I got the right comfort settings, I found that comfort improved significantly over standard, even on generally poor Aussie roads, much less crashiness (there will always be some on 35 profile tyres!); and the handling is in a different league. Generally neurtal and can be made to oversteer on exit under power, provided you don't get on the power before the apex. The biggest comfort downside, and I don't find it a major issue, is the car does follow large undulations in the road quite aggressively. Overall, I would higly recommend PSS9s, but I suspect KWs are gentler if that's what you"re looking for.

[dummi]

just read your reply Paul thanks that helps make up my mind cheers

[timba]

QST have ordered some new rear Koni's to replace my rear ones (we don't know if they are faulty) so good customer service from QST and hopefully problem solved

[timba]

also would like to say I wrote my first post after Autoglass had screwed up fitting my windscreen (for the second time) so was in a bit of a bad mood, having driven the car on the track and twisty bits, must say the koni's and H&R ARB's are a significant improvement over stock, just a bit stiff on town roads at low speed (I think it was the spare wheel creating the knocking noise) sorry to have mislead anyone.

[chopper]

Hi timba
Can you recall the settings you used on the Koni s?

[chunky79]

Hi timba
Can you recall the settings you used on the Koni s?

I can't remember last week, he'll do well to remember 12.5 years ago!