Community Forums

StansCustoms · 05-31-2011, 06:10 AM

After a search..I believe that the Koni shocks are the choice of most Alpine owners when buying new shocks.

I just went thru this with a Fleetwood forum a few years ago and that forum perferred Bilsteins hands down. (...gas rigs though).

I was curious to see if "anyone" had installed new Bilsteins...

Wizard · 05-31-2011, 07:18 AM

I installed Koni's on my previous gas rig and wished afterward that I had my Belsteins back Didn't help any at all and the cost was way overboard.

When My Journey needs shocks they won't be Koni's

Jim A · 05-31-2011, 10:15 AM

My coach came with Bilsteins, and the change to Koni was a definite improvement.

StansCustoms · 05-31-2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim A

My coach came with Bilsteins, and the change to Koni was a definite improvement.

How many miles on the coach when you installed the Koni?

Rich and Cork · 05-31-2011, 01:10 PM

I also changed out the original Bilstine's and put Koni's on. Great improvement, especially on the front end when you would hit a wild spot in the freeway and the front end would porpoise. I would guess I did this with high 30k's on the coach. I am mid 60k's now. Do a search on this forum and you will find a number of threads.

Old Scout · 05-31-2011, 02:27 PM

We too went from Bilstein to Koni on our 03 at about 60k--we now have about 115k on the coach and probably need to start thinking about changing out again. The challenge here is getting an "apples to apples" comparison. Most comments on the forum praise the newly installed Konis over the used Bilsteins. I too thought the new Konis were a vast improvement over the well-used Bilsteins--particularly with regard to porpoising. Now that the Konis are well-used, I am not that sure when compared "used to used," Konis are any better than Bilsteins..... As always--opinions do vary!!!!!

Jim A · 05-31-2011, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StansCustoms

How many miles on the coach when you installed the Koni?

I don't remember for sure, but probably in the 25-30K range. I now have around 70K, so more miles since the change. There is a certain amount of truth in the apples to oranges complaint. But I am still happy with the Koni's. I won't go back, and I have new Bilstein's on my Mountaineer.

w6pea · 05-31-2011, 03:29 PM

Our rig has them on it. We bought it used. We had a motor home from Hell that we put them on. I really don't see any difference, from the stock Motorcraft Shocks that came on it to begin with. Except they cost a lot more than OEM.

gatorv · 05-31-2011, 03:38 PM

I thought my Bilstines were worn out and purchased new ones.
No help, I wish I had bought Koni's.
Good luck,
Gator

StansCustoms · 05-31-2011, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Scout

We too went from Bilstein to Koni on our 03 at about 60k--we now have about 115k on the coach and probably need to start thinking about changing out again. The challenge here is getting an "apples to apples" comparison. Most comments on the forum praise the newly installed Konis over the used Bilsteins. I too thought the new Konis were a vast improvement over the well-used Bilsteins--particularly with regard to porpoising. Now that the Konis are well-used, I am not that sure when compared "used to used," Konis are any better than Bilsteins..... As always--opinions do vary!!!!!

Exactly....
...and why I asked. I have had the same experience when installing new Bilsteins. In fact they made so much difference I couldn't imagine anything being any better.... Again this was on gas rigs...which are not as heavy as diesel pushers. (Although one of mine was 37' with a tag axle, which is heavy for gas)

I would imagine any brand new shocks would be great compared to ones that had mileage on them.

It would be nice to see a comparison where a particular brand was installed ...and because they did not perform well, was replaced with another brand immediately, which was noticeably better....(or apples to apples ).

Years ago a gas forum I was on perferred Bilsteins...and everyone that tried them raved about them. They too were comparing old to new.

Now ..I'm wondering if there really is a lot of difference between any of the top line shocks.

Rich and Cork · 05-31-2011, 06:04 PM

As an addendum, when I bought my Koni's the Koni tech said that after a few years I could adjust the shocks another setting or two and that would take care of some aging of the dampening of the shocks. I have yet to do that, so I cannot comment on its changes. I will say that I do not believe that the Koni's are at the same place in their life as when I made the change.

chiefneon · 05-31-2011, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Scout

We too went from Bilstein to Koni on our 03 at about 60k--we now have about 115k on the coach and probably need to start thinking about changing out again. The challenge here is getting an "apples to apples" comparison. Most comments on the forum praise the newly installed Konis over the used Bilsteins. I too thought the new Konis were a vast improvement over the well-used Bilsteins--particularly with regard to porpoising. Now that the Konis are well-used, I am not that sure when compared "used to used," Konis are any better than Bilsteins..... As always--opinions do vary!!!!!

Howdy!

I'm about to replace my stock shocks with Koni's. On another forum I read they like them and have stated Koni's have a lifetime warranty.

"Happy Trails"
chiefneon

Gary - K7GLD · 05-31-2011, 06:32 PM

Ours is an older MH - OEM shocks were shot and handling was extremely poor, bought new HD Bilsteins and also replaced the steering stabilizer with the Bilstein version. Night and day improvement, but expected, since the OEM's were shot - more than happy with the Bilsteins and price, but no way for a practical and direct comparison with Koni's.

In my case, on-the-road handling, in traffic, and poor roads and crosswinds is of paramount importance - this isn't a sports car or luxury limousine, so I really don't expect it to drive or ride like one, especially if it interferes with or sacrifices safety...

StansCustoms · 05-31-2011, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary - K7GLD

Ours is an older MH - OEM shocks were shot and handling was extremely poor, bought new HD Bilsteins and also replaced the steering stabilizer with the Bilstein version. Night and day improvement, but expected, since the OEM's were shot - more than happy with the Bilsteins and price, but no way for a practical and direct comparison with Koni's.

In my case, on-the-road handling, in traffic, and poor roads and crosswinds is of paramount importance - this isn't a sports car or luxury limousine, so I really don't expect it to drive or ride like one, especially if it interferes with or sacrifices safety...

>>I believe you can safely say that we all strive/want the same, and agree.

(ie. ...on-the-road handling, in traffic, and poor roads and crosswinds is of paramount importance)