ZHP Suspension refresh: Koni STR.t or H&R cup kit?

Whats up guys. It's been a while since I've put any money into mods on my ZHP, so I figured it was about time to give her a gift I'm looking to refresh the suspension, but I'm on a budget. I want OEM quality, lower ride height, and most of all: longevity.

KONI is having their annual sale and I can pick up a full set of STR.t's for $338 shipped! I'm thinking of pairing them up with some H&R race springs or Eibachs. What do you guys think of this setup?

My other choice is the H&R Cup Kit I've heard great things about but Im not sure if I need to spend the extra cash when I can get the KONI's for cheaper.

Also, what else am I going to need for the install? Mounts, bushings ect? My ZHP is at 71.5k miles now and I plan on DIY'ing this myself.

Let me know what route you guys think I should go.

Thanks

I'm interested in knowing the general consensus on the Koni STR.T as well.

Originally Posted by Chrsb5

I'm interested in knowing the general consensus on the Koni STR.T as well.

They seem like a great OEM alternative plus a lifetime warranty and lowering capabilities. I'd like to hear more about them for e46 owners.

I just received my warranty replacement STR T from Koni this week. Installed with Eibach Sportlines in April 2011. Front two are blown. Fingers crossed these replacement last longer.


Overall ride quality if is good. Stiffer than OEM Sport. Hindsight I wouldve gotten the yellows.

I installed an H&R Cupkit on my ZHP in Fall 2010 and it has been a great setup so far. A bit stiffer than stock sport suspension, but still very comfortable on my 18" winter setup. Ride is on the firm side with my summer 19's, but that is to be expected. I don't know much about Koni's paired with H&R or Eibachs, just wanted to share my thoughts on the Cupkit.

Originally Posted by jaymar88

I just received my warranty replacement STR T from Koni this week. Installed with Eibach Sportlines in April 2011. Front two are blown. Fingers crossed these replacement last longer.


Overall ride quality if is good. Stiffer than OEM Sport. Hindsight I wouldve gotten the yellows.

Did the shocks blow prematurely because of the springs? We're they too aggressive?

Can you post some pictures of your car with this setup? I might go this route

Originally Posted by adb1028

Did the shocks blow prematurely because of the springs? We're they too aggressive?

Can you post some pictures of your car with this setup? I might go this route

The sportlines are low but not excessively low. I think they may be a little undervalved for these springs. The yellows would have probably been more suitable. Less than a year old and 20k miles, I'd call that premature.

I don't have any recent pictures so this is the best I could do.

Originally Posted by jaymar88

The sportlines are low but not excessively low. I think they may be a little undervalved for these springs. The yellows would have probably been more suitable. Less than a year old and 20k miles, I'd call that premature.

I don't have any recent pictures so this is the best I could do.

I went ahead and ordered the sport lines and the strt.t's this morning. We'll see how they hold up for me, I drive about 10k a year and the roads here are pretty smooth. I figure that even if I do have problems, KONI will just send me new ones. The yellows are probably a better choice for the springs but I really don't have the cash to get them.

I love the stance with the sport lines.

yeah. The stance is perfect and it would be even better on rims, but I can't justify spending 1500 on rims and tires for a car worth maybe 6k? HAHAHA. At least she still drives nice.

You'll enjoy the setup. Our roads here in San Diego are terrible and could be a major contributing factor in the accelerated wear. I'd reccomend replacing the upper strut mounts and adding the strut mount reinforcement plates while you're at it. Cheap effective insurance.

BTW, the sportlines give an uneven rake. I had to pull both top and bottom rear spring pads. A little noise once in a while but the stance is much better than with both pads installed.

I was going to post that I love my H&R cup kit... good luck with your new setup.

Originally Posted by adb1028

They seem like a great OEM alternative plus a lifetime warranty and lowering capabilities.

You took the words out of my mouth on the Koni Oranges. Can't wait to hear your review of them!

Originally Posted by jaymar88

Our roads here in San Diego are terrible and could be a major contributing factor in the accelerated wear. I'd recommend replacing the upper strut mounts and adding the strut mount reinforcement plates while you're at it. Cheap effective insurance.

This is one of my fears relating to my upcoming suspension refresh. I split my time between San Diego and Prescott Arizona. I would challenge a man to find two places with worse average road conditions. I'm strongly considering the STR.T and I would love to lower my car but I already scrape all over the place when I'm in Arizona and driving on surface streets in San Diego is quite a chore when trying to negotiate potholes and cracks. Not to mention I drive around 20k a year.

Originally Posted by ECSTuning

You took the words out of my mouth on the Koni Oranges. Can't wait to hear your review of them!

I'm excited to try this setup out. What's your view on the Oranges with an aggressive spring like the Sportlines?

Originally Posted by jaymar88

yeah. The stance is perfect and it would be even better on rims, but I can't justify spending 1500 on rims and tires for a car worth maybe 6k? HAHAHA. At least she still drives nice.

You'll enjoy the setup. Our roads here in San Diego are terrible and could be a major contributing factor in the accelerated wear. I'd reccomend replacing the upper strut mounts and adding the strut mount reinforcement plates while you're at it. Cheap effective insurance.

BTW, the sportlines give an uneven rake. I had to pull both top and bottom rear spring pads. A little noise once in a while but the stance is much better than with both pads installed.

Ahaha I know what you mean. Hard to believe these things are going for 6k now, they still feel like they're worth in the 20s!

I was planning on replacing the rear shock mounts and reusing the fronts (I've heard the rears tend to wear).

I did come across a thread yesterday saying its a good idea to pull the spring pads on the rear to reduce the rake. I think I'll remove the bottom pads first, see how I like it and then take the top ones out if I need more low!!


What size spacers do you guys think I could run with my ZHP wheels and the drop?

I finally installed the replacement str.t's (as well as front sway bar bushings, endlinks, strut tower reinforcement plates, fcabs and new bumpstops). The driver strut was blown and was the cause of my bottoming out. Not obvious when out of the car but I'm sure it'll show itself on the dyno. The replacement right front strut was installed and turned out to have a loose spring perch. Had to reinstall the old strut (which wasn't terribly bad).

Contacted Koni this morning and they're sending out another strut to replace the "replacement" and have taken care of return shipping. Koni has been great and the car feels exponentially better (primarily because of the strut and the FCABS)

I'll keep you posted.

Originally Posted by jaymar88

I finally installed the replacement str.t's (as well as front sway bar bushings, endlinks, strut tower reinforcement plates, fcabs and new bumpstops). The driver strut was blown and was the cause of my bottoming out. Not obvious when out of the car but I'm sure it'll show itself on the dyno. The replacement right front strut was installed and turned out to have a loose spring perch. Had to reinstall the old strut (which wasn't terribly bad).

Contacted Koni this morning and they're sending out another strut to replace the "replacement" and have taken care of return shipping. Koni has been great and the car feels exponentially better (primarily because of the strut and the FCABS)

I'll keep you posted.

Bummer man. Hope everything works out for you.

Forgot to update this thread, I decided against the STR.Ts and contacted importrp, I had my order changed to the Koni Sport Yellows to be safe.

Ill bump the thread with new info when I do the install.

Originally Posted by adb1028

I'm excited to try this setup out. What's your view on the Oranges with an aggressive spring like the Sportlines?

For mild springs I think the Koni Oranges are great. More aggressive springs, I typically suggest Yellows. I'd consider the Oranges a "sport +" shock where they Yellows are for aftermarket modifications (lowering more than say an inch etc).

bump for update. Trying to decide the same thing right now.

Brian

Just curious as to where do u see the sale as i'm waiting for a good deal for my shock+strut refresh. Txs.

Sorry for my question ..never mind .. This is an old thread ..