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Our 2013 Cooper S has stock shocks that are too soft. Car only has 15K on it and recently purchased. The fine people at ECS recommended the koni special active shocks. These are the replacement for the FSD in the Koni line.
Does anyone have first hand experience with these shocks? Looking for better handling, yet a smoother ride would also be nice. Stock run flats which I don't want to change due to it being my wife's car. Upgraded rear sway 22mm by Alta and a strut brace in the front.
Can not speak for the special active but i have had fsd's for 30k with jcw springs. They are very forgiving on rough roads and more responsive in the curves then the stock sport suspension. I can only imagine the special active will be equal or better then fsd's.
Still very happy with them. They are a perfect option for someone who wants better handling without a jarring ride or lowering. My stock stocks were shot when I bought the car, so I cant really compare to stock. I do sort of wish I could try the Koni yellows with stock springs. I'm guessing it would be a bit tighter, but still no where near coilovers. I guess Bilstein makes a stock replacement too.
Had great luck with the Koni FSDs as we use them all the time and they really do ride great. Honestly I feel that Koni is just remarketing them using "spcial active" and they are going to cost more.
So either way if you aren't lowering the car they are a good choice.
Actually I heard from koni that they have slightly increased quality (not sure where, but I assume inside) and they are lower priced than the FSD. Its largely a re-marketing thing though..
Its good stuff, based off the test cars they have been demoing around, the ride is best for everyday daily driving and removes those quick jolts making the suspension much smoother. Removing the stock runflats is huge on a MINI and the first step in a more comfortable ride. Step 2 to comfort and handling is a better daily driver suspension.
So.... The FSD's and these new Active shocks require stock ride height springs.
Hope some of you can take a moment to help out.
I have worn out Coilovers on my car...it is lowered too much anyway and would like to return it to stock ride height and some semblance of decent ride with the 205/45/17's (NON RFT's).
Probably add the ALTA or Hotchkis rear sway while retaining the stock front Sport suspension sway.... Hoping for 'decent' handling and good ride.
Are there aftermarket stock ride height springs that are available as a set?
Are there uprated or more progressive aftermarket spring sets that give STOCK ride height?
If so... brands, part numbers and links would be super helpful.
Either that... or looking at the B4 Bilsteins with a good set of Swift, Madness or similar springs that give only a moderate drop.... of say .75 -1.0".. and an uprated sway bar in the rear.
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by mountainhorse; Dec 17, 2018 at 02:50 AM.
So.... The FSD's and these new Active shocks require stock ride height springs.
Hope some of you can take a moment to help out.
I have worn out Coilovers on my car...it is lowered too much anyway and would like to return it to stock ride height and some semblance of decent ride with the 205/45/17's (NON RFT's).
Probably add the ALTA or Hotchkis rear sway while retaining the stock front Sport suspension sway.... Hoping for 'decent' handling and good ride.
Are there aftermarket stock ride height springs that are available as a set?
Are there uprated or more progressive aftermarket spring sets that give STOCK ride height?
If so... brands, part numbers and links would be super helpful.
Thanks in advance.
I was running Koni FSD‘s since August 2017 with JCW Springs, I think 10 mill drop, without any issues. I switched to WMWTSW Springs three months ago, 1 inch drop in the front. I have put many miles on them while lowered and a bunch of autocross events without any issues. It is a great daily driver set up with either of those springs and performs very well in the twisties.
So.... The FSD's and these new Active shocks require stock ride height springs.
Hope some of you can take a moment to help out.
I have worn out Coilovers on my car...it is lowered too much anyway and would like to return it to stock ride height and some semblance of decent ride with the 205/45/17's (NON RFT's).
Probably add the ALTA or Hotchkis rear sway while retaining the stock front Sport suspension sway.... Hoping for 'decent' handling and good ride.
Are there aftermarket stock ride height springs that are available as a set?
Are there uprated or more progressive aftermarket spring sets that give STOCK ride height?
If so... brands, part numbers and links would be super helpful.
Either that... or looking at the B4 Bilsteins with a good set of Swift, Madness or similar springs that give only a moderate drop.... of say .75 -1.0".. and an uprated sway bar in the rear.
Thanks in advance.
Personally, I don't like the Koni FSD dampers... If you want minimal lowering with upgraded ride, I would consider the Koni Yellow adjustables with some "Sport" suspension springs. (not the JCW ones.)
If you're looking at stiffer springs, get the B6 or B8 Bilstein dampers, not the B4's.
They dont recommend it at it need to ride stock ride height, Most people try and say its ok with JCW springs as they are only a 10mm drop like above. I think you are ok with that. But they system its designed to work with non lowering, so anything really low and you may have some issues on seals and warranty down the road. Just something to watch out for down the road. I would go with yellows and lowering springs if you want to stick with koni.
NOT really into going low or really stiff on the damping side of things... been there and not really into that.
The Stance XR1's on my car are rebuildable... but not really wanting to go back to that setup.... slammed and stiff is not my cup of tea.
I've seen plenty of well setup cars with proper wheel and tire combos that do not have to sacrifice travel and comfort for decent performance.
Was in a nice riding R53 last week with the B4's and was impressed with the and handling for a little econobox of a car.... Had 195/55/16 Pilots on it and a beefier rear bar... pretty impressive for what it was.
If I were going to go with uprated & lowered shocks... the ohlins would be on my list as I've found a set of 500 mile take offs for relatively low $$.
Reason for posting in this thread is to check the waters on these Koni Active shocks.... or, even the gold FSD's as there are some outlets selling those discontinued models for less than $400
These shocks seem to really be designed with a "system approach".... and damping, both compression and rebound, and the velocity sensitive valving would probably be internally tied to shaft position and factory spring rates. I believe that the Koni Red/Active shocks and the FSD's ARE the only Koni's that are position sensitive in their operation... hence the "do not use lowered" springs caveat.
Again... goal... stock ride height, good compliance, decent handling better than factory offerings.
Where to buy NEW stock replacement springs as a set at a fair price?? ... the stock factory springs are way too pricey
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Last edited by mountainhorse; Dec 17, 2018 at 10:35 AM.
Sorry there aren't aftermarket springs that don't lower the car as most people wanting aftermarket springs are trying to lower the car.
If you are looking for good quality ride I would recommend the FSDs as I've found them to ride the best. And the Gold compared to the newer version of special actives I can't tell a difference in ride quality as we have installed both now.
But I would only recommend the stock springs. Like you said new stock springs are expensive, so good used ones would be the best option. I could sell you some take off stock springs for $150 if you got the Konis from us. https://www.waymotorworks.com/02-06-...ion/coilovers/
NOT really into going low or really stiff on the damping side of things... been there and not really into that.
The Stance XR1's on my car are rebuildable... but not really wanting to go back to that setup.... slammed and stiff is not my cup of tea.
I've seen plenty of well setup cars with proper wheel and tire combos that do not have to sacrifice travel and comfort for decent performance.
Was in a nice riding R53 last week with the B4's and was impressed with the and handling for a little econobox of a car.... Had 195/55/16 Pilots on it and a beefier rear bar... pretty impressive for what it was.
If I were going to go with uprated & lowered shocks... the ohlins would be on my list as I've found a set of 500 mile take offs for relatively low $$.
Reason for posting in this thread is to check the waters on these Koni Active shocks.... or, even the gold FSD's as there are some outlets selling those discontinued models for less than $400
These shocks seem to really be designed with a "system approach".... and damping, both compression and rebound, and the velocity sensitive valving would probably be internally tied to shaft position and factory spring rates. I believe that the Koni Red/Active shocks and the FSD's ARE the only Koni's that are position sensitive in their operation... hence the "do not use lowered" springs caveat.
Again... goal... stock ride height, good compliance, decent handling better than factory offerings.
Where to buy NEW stock replacement springs as a set at a fair price?? ... the stock factory springs are way too pricey
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Are your stock springs saggy, have you seen anything on the alignment machine specs? Otherwise you can use the stock ones. Like people said they should be fine unless brioke or saggy.
No stock ones here.... Stance XR1's that I want to ditch (see above post).
Factory spring/Strut/Shock components are RIDICULOUS in price !... It's not just the springs, but the bumpers, mounts etc that are costly too.
Going from bare shocks... I'm trying to figure out exactly what I'll need in addition to the 2-front and 2-rear springs to swap from my coil overs to these Koni's.
The ride "Character" is what I'm looking for from these shocks that seem to be well engineered... I can see why, with such specific tuning internally, that they require not only the stock installed height, but the stock spring rate and installed height force to be maintained for proper function.
My take on these FSD type shocks, Gold/Red, is that they offer benefits that are unique to the FSD that the other struts/shocks/coilovers do not offer... in terms of ride/handling/comfort modulation? (is this correct)??
If you can... please help me to understand before I pull the trigger on this rather expensive, for me, purchase.
What do you think of these FSD-Gold shocks in terms of cornering and road compliance.
1) Is it a tight handling car with a smooth ride over the road crack and irregularities?
Taking for granted these are getting installed on an R53 MCS with the correct springs, bushings and steering components that are not worn out... and good tires/wheels. BTW- I would also upgrade my current rear swaybar.
2) How would the FSD setup compare with a fresh R53 JCW strut/shock/spring package for example??
3) How would this FSD setup compare to the Koni Orange STRT set with a set of TSW springs?
ALL comparisons to take into consideration handling, compliance AND... NVH
5) Starting from scratch... besides the shocks and 4 stock springs... what else would be needed for a clean install for the Golds or Reds?
Thanks in advance.
Originally Posted by WayMotorWorks
Sorry there aren't aftermarket springs that don't lower the car as most people wanting aftermarket springs are trying to lower the car.
If you are looking for good quality ride I would recommend the FSDs as I've found them to ride the best. And the Gold compared to the newer version of special actives I can't tell a difference in ride quality as we have installed both now.
But I would only recommend the stock springs. Like you said new stock springs are expensive, so good used ones would be the best option. I could sell you some take off stock springs for $150 if you got the Konis from us. https://www.waymotorworks.com/02-06-...ion/coilovers/
Last edited by mountainhorse; Dec 19, 2018 at 02:20 AM.
Well the FSDs are going to provide the best ride comfort, but still have some perform if using the stock ride height springs as they change their dampening based on shock travel. So tossing the car around they will be stiffer than just running down the highway they will be softer.
Koni Orange is the same as Koni yellow set all the way soft. Still slightly stiffer than stock shocks, but not bad. Our TSW springs are linear and matched to the MINI so they ride better than stock. It's a firm ride, but it isn't harsh.
To install any of these you can just reuse your existing hardware and mounts, you just transfer them to the new shocks. We do use the powerflex bushings to replace worn out bushings.
And while doing it we would always recommend a rear sway bar since you will have half the work done with the rear shocks out. This on the middle setting is perfect for the R53 https://www.waymotorworks.com/h-spor...-sway-bar.html
I would go with the reds and use the stock springs. We sold out of the golds, Check alignment/eye up ride height and make sure the stock springs are ok. If you go yellows then pair up with H&R or AST. H&R only lower like 1 inch on the front and .75" on the back if you are trying to get close to stock ride height.
KONI Reds= Smooth ride and gets ride of the jolts of the stock suspension
Yellows and springs. tighter feel, you will feel a little more responsive in the steering. The ride with be more harsh over reds, but not as bad as stock.
Replace the hardware and those stock mounts when switching over: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-assemble...31306778833kt/
If the hardware looks good at least do the front and rear shock mounts. My rear ones were shot on mine and the front ones crack after about 100K. Power flex if you want to do the rears and never do them again.
Going to leave this pic here of the Gold FSDs I installed today for next time someone says the new red FSDs ride so much better or are so much more improved. I've driven MINIs with both the Gold and the "new" Red Special Active FSDs and I think I know why they feel exactly the same.
Going to leave this pic here of the Gold FSDs I installed today for next time someone says the new red FSDs ride so much better or are so much more improved. I've driven MINIs with both the Gold and the "new" Red Special Active FSDs and I think I know why they feel exactly the same.
Haha, great feedback! Good to see the continued "development" done in house at Koni!
Its good stuff, based off the test cars they have been demoing around, the ride is best for everyday daily driving and removes those quick jolts making the suspension much smoother. Removing the stock runflats is huge on a MINI and the first step in a more comfortable ride. Step 2 to comfort and handling is a better daily driver suspension. https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...er-to-fsd.html
Hello Friends:
do you have the Koni Special Active shock kits in stock right now? I would like to order for my 2009 R56 (has 51K miles). This would be my first shocks replacement (I purchased car brand-new). I still use run flat tires, I figured the Koni's would provide noticeable softer ride (with run flats)
They are a perfect option for someone who wants better handling without a jarring ride or lowering. My stock stocks were shot when I bought the car, so I cant really compare to stock. I do sort of wish I could try the Koni yellows with stock springs. I'm guessing it would be a bit tighter, but still no where near coilovers. I guess Bilstein makes a stock replacement too.
