KONI FSD or Bilstein Comfort

[caymann]

I have been thinking about these two shocks
The price difference is nearly 2:1

Can you folks comment on the performance difference?

My current Bilstein shocks are fine but ride HARD
On bridge expansions and frost heaves, the coach
and passenger takes a real beating. I have no choice
but to really really slow down.

Which of these two shocks will address this situation?

I have a Roadmaster S -Chassis w/10 bags

thanks
jim

[Steve Ownby]

Hey Jim,

Wish I could help but I'm struggling with the same dilemma. I have the same chassis under an '03 Sig & I will get another couple of years out of mine before I change. I'm pretty much persuaded to go with the re-valved Bilsteins. The cost is certainly a factor and I believe the mono-tube technology is superior to the twin tube. Koni has a lot of fans though.

Please post what you do so I will get the benefit of your experience.

Steve O

[wardy]

I had a 2004 W-22 that I switched from Monroe to Koni FSD, it was a huge help.

Now just 1 month ago I replaced my hard riding front Bilsteins (2007 MM) with Koni red (IFS). The ride is much better when hitting bumps of all type. The only downside is I get a little more purposing when the front suspension is compressed hard. I will likely have the Koni's turned 1 notch firmer and I bet that does the trick. Still, even as is they are a vast improvement over the stock Bil's.

[tedward1555]

Hi Wardy... what is "purposing"?
thanks
Ed

[wardy]

Poor spelling, that's what! Meant porpoising.... good for a laugh I hope. Not sure how I did that, spell checker maybe?

[trb]

03 endeavor 36', Monroes OEM, 8 bag 60,000miles.
Discouraged on Bilsteins due to postings this forum plus called the plant, the only thing the could tell me is they needed the extended length of the existing shock, then they would make a recomendation. Does not appear logical that they can make a recomendation based on such. I would think weight etc would be. a consideration.
B--- could not interchange Monroe or Koni PN's after 32 yrs in the parts business I found that unbeliveable.
Discouraged on KONI, $157.ea vs $60. ea for MONROES

[jimkate]

My coach had Bilsteins installed about five years ago. They might as well have installed solid rods, the coach rode that rough.

I just installed the new Bilstein Comfort shocks. I haven't had a chance to do an actual road test, but I can tell you that the side by side comparison is like comparing night to day.

The old shock was almost impossible to close, and shot open quickly.
The new shock was easy to close, and slid open slowly.

Based on that, I'm expecting a substantial improvement in ride.

[Pusherpilot]

I just replaced the Bilsteins on our 04 HR Imperial with the new Bilstein "comfort" shocks. The coach, a RR8S, has 72k on it. We just drove from Missouri to So Calif and the difference was noticible. We had a lot of porpoising and hard hits on potholes and rough patches in the road before the new shocks. The ride is now acceptable. I would have liked to try the Konis but they weren't available when I needed them and also were about half again the price per unit. As it is the new shocks cost a grand after I paid to have them installed. Perhaps I'll try the Konis when these wear out!!
Ron

[LVJ58]

Unless Bilstein has introduced a new shock with valving comparable to valving found in the Koni FSD, I would definitely install the Koni, we did on our coach and found they're well worth the extra $$$

[dajudge]

I just replaced the stock bilsteins on my 06 Allegro Bay on w22 chassis and , although I haven't gone on a long trip yet, I could see the difference on the ten or so miles drive home. I noticed no more walmart wobble, yes I went to walmart on the way home and much more stable ride than the bilsteins.

[soberjoe]

My unit was up and down like a bouncing ride at Disney. I have the Koni FSD's on now. What a huge improvement!!

[sjholt]

Koni--$160 Bilstein--$95 Monroe--$31 :^)

[jimkate]

We bought our Bilstein shocks from The Shock Warehouse @ 82.00 each. I understand there are better deals out there.

I thought I was ordering the part# for the Comfort Shock. Not until long after I had installed them did I realize my error, and I had installed the Heavy Duty.

We have just driven 1000 miles over roads that we were on last year. The ride difference is like night and day. With the old Bilstein shocks, we had a personal relationship with every little defect in the road. With our new Bilstein shocks, we hear the tires going over those defects. What I appreciate is the greatly improved handling. No more tipping and swaying. The coach feels like it's anchored onto the road.

[caymann]

I replaced all 10 shocks with KONI FSD

It has now taken care of one of the two problems i had before...

1. Expansion joints - works well here...no more jarring effect
2. Frost heaves - will wait till winter to test this