MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: Smudgster on July 29, 2009, 05:26:59 pm

Title: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: Smudgster on July 29, 2009, 05:26:59 pm
Hi All,

I am thinking of upgrading the KW Ver3. I have currently Koni FSD and Eibach springs, theres nothing wrong with them and was wondering what kind of resale value do these have. Covered about 10k ish but not 100% as they were already on the car when i bought it!!!

Thanks
Smudge
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: RedRobin on July 29, 2009, 07:08:36 pm
....

If it's any help, what I do is take the retail price I paid new (and NOT the cheapest fleeBay/internet price you can find!) and round off at 50% to the nearest fiver. Postage & shipping extra and I won't negotiate.
 
I do this with anything I sell which is 'previously used' but in good condition.

:happy2:
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: Smudgster on July 29, 2009, 07:13:29 pm
I was thinking of asking about £250 for it if reasonable??
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: RedRobin on July 29, 2009, 07:43:57 pm
^^^^
Sounds reasonable to me but you'll probably have to be patient finding a buyer because most folks are primarily after the look rather than the ride. If someone has aftermarket anti-roll bars with the KoniFSDs and Eibach springs, the ride is extremely practical and without any loss of comfort. I had the KoniFSDs etc and went to KW-V3's which are much more 'hardcore' but not at all harsh if set up properly.

You'll need to post in the For Sale section in due course, but let's see what others might have to say here.

[Thanks for the Thanks!] :drinking:
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: Smudgster on July 29, 2009, 08:01:53 pm
Yea thanks for the input m8. I have enquired about the V3 so I may go for it. As you say I am happy with the ride and stance of my car but it does scrape getting on my drive so the coilovers will help with this although the main reason is I do fancy doing some track days!!!!!!!! :driver: :driver: :driver: :driver: :driver: :driver:
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: RedRobin on July 29, 2009, 08:38:02 pm
....

If you fancy track days then the KW Clubsport would be even better, but KW-V3's or Bilsteins are totally more than adequate. The Clubsport just give extra adjustability of camber on the top mounts IIRC but you wouldn't want to run too much extra camber on the road because of uneven tyre wear (unless you have a set of track wheels with track rubber).

No complaints from me on V3's around The Ring : -

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdaz.co%2Fmedia%2FRedRobin_05%2FNurburgring2009%2FRRRing_21July09.png&hash=cdfd690b6325f71b4c5ddd8370705653503a56cb)


As you say I am happy with the ride and stance of my car but it does scrape getting on my drive so the coilovers will help with this


....I don't quite understand how the coilovers will be an improvement over your drive scraping problem - Coilovers will lower your car more than the KoniFSD setup and if you set your coilovers too high you'll compromise track work and probably fast road.
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: Top Cat on July 29, 2009, 08:57:01 pm
....

 The Clubsport just give extra adjustability of camber on the top mounts IIRC




The club sports have a completely different damper and spring rate as well, Similar to the difference between V1 and V3 according to VWR.  :smiley:
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: RedRobin on July 29, 2009, 09:14:50 pm
....

 The Clubsport just give extra adjustability of camber on the top mounts IIRC


The club sports have a completely different damper and spring rate as well, Similar to the difference between V1 and V3 according to VWR.  :smiley:


....Thanks, TC :happy2: - I wasn't sure (hence the "IIRC"). Being VWR-KW-V3's it's my version which is virtually the same as KW Clubsports but without the adjustable topmounts (I was told by VWR).

:drinking:
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: Msportman on July 30, 2009, 12:08:30 am
Red Robin

Raising the car on the KW3's/Clubsports will not be compromised 'providing' you set the bump and rebound settings correctly.
The spring rates will be the same but it will mean that the struts may need a stiffer setting.

I'll be down at VWR next week hopefully for set up advice :happy2:

Ian
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: RedRobin on July 30, 2009, 12:21:46 am
^^^^
Cheers, Ian :drinking: - My limited knowledge is exactly why I leave it to experts like VWR to set up my suspension. Correctly adjusting the settings is clearly critical for good results. I've only wanted to achieve a good setup which I don't have to adjust myself for fear of cocking it up!

:happy2:
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: Smudgster on July 30, 2009, 12:49:32 pm
 :congrats: :congrats: :congrats:

Thanks for the info here guys. I am seriously considering the purchase now!!!!! My Golf is costing me a fortune as the modding bug has started lol lol lol lol

Smudge
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: Smudgster on August 03, 2009, 09:55:57 pm
Well I have bought them hehehehe :congrats: :congrats: :congrats: :congrats:

Be here next week and then fit them. Will advertise my Koni's and Eibachs then!!!!

Smudge
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: jon-tfsi on August 03, 2009, 10:39:48 pm
Im v interested in the fsd,s mate. Will pm you :happy2:
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: Smudgster on August 04, 2009, 05:00:37 pm
pm'd back

Just for info for the few ppl who have pm'd me about them. Once they are off I will clean and photo. Ppl can make there mind up then

Cheers Smudge
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: Mark_eire on August 05, 2009, 10:49:05 pm
Whats the ride like on the FSD's/eibach's?
Is it much harder than standard?
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: keith on August 05, 2009, 10:55:04 pm
I did this combo on my mk2 leon and its the same platform as the mk5 and i found it better and not as harsh as my oem set up
but if your looking for a drop with the eibachs i would look elsewhere as imo they are mis-advertised and if you ask eibach direct as i did they fob you off with BS.
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: RedRobin on August 05, 2009, 11:38:51 pm

Whats the ride like on the FSD's/eibach's?
Is it much harder than standard?


....Absolutely not any harder.

A mate of mine, Jason (he's registered here but doesn't have much time to post) had them and I drove his car and mine back-to-back on the same bit of roughest road we could find and I'd say that the ride is better with the FSD's - They take the edge off on the rougher stuff and go stiffer on the smooth surfaces. As a result I bought some.

It's subtle but good. I think that some of the Mercedes use them oem.

They WON'T give you that low stance though because there must be room for travel for the system to work. It's a compromise but a good one, but biassed towards road rather than track use.

HTH  :happy2:
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: scarpicus on August 05, 2009, 11:46:14 pm
Whats the ride like on the FSD's/eibach's?
Is it much harder than standard?

the ride is deffinantly better than stock as Redrobin say's it takes the edges of the bumps and uneven road surfaces and it gets rid of that low speed jiggleness that i found the stock suspension had...
if you are not that interested in going low and want a confortable ride than deffo get these but if u wont to go low don't its as simple as that.... :happy2:



Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: Smudgster on August 06, 2009, 03:27:05 pm
I canr complain about the ride its very good. Will post a piccie up of mine on the weekend so you can see the drop

Smudge
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: xxx_mojo_xxx on September 05, 2009, 07:31:11 pm
Looking forward to the photos - I'm thinking about FSDs, but not sure how much higher they will make my car sit on the wheels.
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: RedRobin on September 05, 2009, 07:37:34 pm

Looking forward to the photos - I'm thinking about FSDs, but not sure how much higher they will make my car sit on the wheels.


....Assuming you use them with the appropriate Eibach springs, they won't make your car look much lower but just a wee bit. If you use the FSD's on springs which lower you beyond their recommendation you could have problems physically because they won't be able to function properly.
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: gillm on September 05, 2009, 07:41:10 pm
think 35mm max for fsd
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: xxx_mojo_xxx on September 05, 2009, 09:23:53 pm
So, FSDs don't really work well with eibach sportlines?
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: RedRobin on September 05, 2009, 09:39:08 pm

So, FSDs don't really work well with eibach sportlines?


....It's best to phone either Eibach or Koni themselves and ask, Mo.

Try Eibach first.
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: Janner_Sy on September 05, 2009, 09:44:34 pm
So, FSDs don't really work well with eibach sportlines?

the guys on briskoda who got their vRS  out of the factory with the optional eibach springs and then fitted FSDs all seem very happy with them.

ive driven 2 with eibachs/FSD combo and was impressed.

be aware though there have been a few instances on briskoda of guys front FSDs starting to feel spongy and soft after a while(quite a while though), due to leaking on them. I believe koni replaced them though.

Red Robin had same problem i believe iirc
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: RedRobin on September 05, 2009, 09:53:52 pm
So, FSDs don't really work well with eibach sportlines?

the guys on briskoda who got their vRS  out of the factory with the optional eibach springs and then fitted FSDs all seem very happy with them.

ive driven 2 with eibachs/FSD combo and was impressed.

be aware though there have been a few instances on briskoda of guys front FSDs starting to feel spongy and soft after a while(quite a while though), due to leaking on them. I believe koni replaced them though.

Red Robin had same problem i believe iirc


....Indeed I did but Awesome were awesome in their help to get my original purchase price refunded. I had done about 50k miles on them and they failed very gradually so were more difficult to spot.
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: Janner_Sy on September 05, 2009, 10:25:22 pm
iirc i think that is around the sort of distance they have done with they're nFSDs
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: RedRobin on September 05, 2009, 10:40:43 pm

iirc i think that is around the sort of distance they have done with they're nFSDs


....Dampers should last much much more than 50k miles! :surprised:
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: xxx_mojo_xxx on September 06, 2009, 05:14:06 am
I've come across a lot of articles with people suffering issues with FSDs failing - that's principally the reason that's kept me from buying a set.

Besides, the original shocks for the moment seem to be doing ok
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: RedRobin on September 06, 2009, 11:37:06 am

I've come across a lot of articles with people suffering issues with FSDs failing - that's principally the reason that's kept me from buying a set.

Besides, the original shocks for the moment seem to be doing ok


....It certainly doesn't instill confidence (rather like Mat's Neuspeed hollow ARB failure) but bear in mind that the high mileage FSD's which have failed are all their first version - I had one of the first sets in the UK (typical me!) - and that Koni later revised the FSD's IIRC.

They are an extremely good compromise between a stock soft ride and a more taut ride, especially if you also upgrade the ARB's.
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: xxx_mojo_xxx on September 06, 2009, 07:30:09 pm
Interesting you say that, I have a set of ARBs waiting to be installed.  So, you're recommendation is to go for the Koni FSDs...

How do I know I'm getting the later revision, and also... I don't want my car to sit any higher than what it is already - having it dropped with the sportlines.
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: RedRobin on September 06, 2009, 07:48:09 pm

Interesting you say that, I have a set of ARBs waiting to be installed.  So, you're recommendation is to go for the Koni FSDs...

How do I know I'm getting the later revision, and also... I don't want my car to sit any higher than what it is already - having it dropped with the sportlines.


....I can't tell you what you should go for but can only say that if you want a good compromise between stock and coilover types of suspension, then the Koni FSD's are a good solution.

If you are buying new, then of course they'll be the later version unless they've been on someone's stock shelves for years.

Give Awesome a call - They'll help.
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: candy turbo on September 06, 2009, 08:04:24 pm
if you want eibach springs why not use there matched dampers ? they must be the best match ! thats what i ll be fitting if i ever need new dampers (which i doubt 7.5 k miles )
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: SteveP on September 06, 2009, 08:06:53 pm
^^^ x 2

Also your going to have to change to eibach pro springs which have a <20mm drop compared to the sportlines which have a 40mm drop  :confused:
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: xxx_mojo_xxx on September 07, 2009, 07:55:34 am
Can't I use my current sporrtlines with eibach dampers, then?
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: SteveP on September 07, 2009, 08:02:51 am
Can't I use my current sporrtlines with eibach dampers, then?

yes you probably can, it's the FSD's with sportlines that are recomended that I was refering to  :smiley:
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: RedRobin on September 07, 2009, 08:41:59 am

Can't I use my current sporrtlines with eibach dampers, then?


yes you probably can, it's the FSD's with sportlines that are recomended that I was refering to  :smiley:


....Mo, it's as Steve says - The Koni FSD's will only work as they are designed to if combined with particular springs (Eibach Pro springs being one of them). Those particular springs won't lower your car as much as you may want to, so it's a choice between the ride that the FSD's provide and the stance you want. The FSD setup will lower you a small amount from standard but not a lot. At least the FSD's don't mean you have to be jacked up like a stock American Golf!

Have you driven a GTI with Koni FSD's to check if you like them or not?
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: xxx_mojo_xxx on September 07, 2009, 09:02:30 am
Have you driven a GTI with Koni FSD's to check if you like them or not?

Now that's an offer that I can't refuse... that way I get to see how the car looks and also compare how it behaves in relation to my setup... any kind offers?
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: RedRobin on September 07, 2009, 09:17:39 am

Have you driven a GTI with Koni FSD's to check if you like them or not?


Now that's an offer that I can't refuse... that way I get to see how the car looks and also compare how it behaves in relation to my setup... any kind offers?


....That is the best and most ideal way to find out if you like something. I was lucky with my FSD choice because a good friend had it on his GTI and we chose a route with both rough and smooth roads and drove each other's cars back-to-back. More recently I also 'test-drove' KW-V3's before deciding.

If my car still had KoniFSD's I'd be happy to arrange to meet up with you. Perhaps start a new thread titled "Help - Has anyone got Koni FSD's?" - Relying on someone dropping by on this thread and reading this far may not achieve it.

:smiley:
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: Cochese on September 07, 2009, 09:55:59 am
 I've got FSd's, Eibach springs and Eibach ARB's. You're welcome to have a shot of my car mojo, only problem is I live in glasgow which I presume is many miles away from you.
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: xxx_mojo_xxx on September 07, 2009, 10:29:47 am
I've got FSd's, Eibach springs and Eibach ARB's. You're welcome to have a shot of my car mojo, only problem is I live in glasgow which I presume is many miles away from you.
You're a gentlemen, thanks!  It's a bit far to travel from down south in Luton. 

Appreciate the kind offer and gesture.  :happy2:
Title: Re: Koni FSD and Ebach springs
Post by: Cochese on September 07, 2009, 01:57:55 pm
^^ no worries dude. :happy2: i knew you'd be far away, just not that far  :signLOL: