KYBs - whats the real story

[Anthony (M5 in Calgary)]

and how did you find the diffrence between blistens and KYB. KYBs are 400 here and blisteins are 1200. would you say that there was a 800 dollar diffrence in qualitity.

The Bilsteins were firmer but more supple if that makes any sense. Memory faded - was many years ago.

[derick]

yeah definitely, your saying that it soaked up the bumbs better but still were firmer for hard cornering.

I think i might go with the KYBs. the roads here are very well matianed and pot holes are few and far between. I hope my kidneys will forgive me :P.

[ThoreauHD]

I've been looking at the KYB application guide and there are none for anything above 9/92. My 525 has a build date of 10/95. Anybody know otherwise?

http://www.kyb.com/catalog/index.php...ID=59&x=40&y=9

Jeff

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/cata...IengineID=2800
KYB Part # 341081
GR-2; REAR; (Exc.Self-Leveling & M-Tronic);To 9/92; (E34); (Exc. M-Technik Susp.) {SHOCK ABSORBER} More Info
$62.99

5% off coupon code: 402749374898

[ajt3nc]

I have a set on all 4 corners and have 20k over rural NC/SC roads. They have held up great. A lot of ricers do run down KYBs because they drop their cars and use a stock heighth insert or shock causing the seals to blow and they leak.

[Karl]

There's different model KYB shocks. I got KYB Gas Adjust shocks for my 81 528i and used it for autocross as well as daily driver and a few driver schools. Liked them well enough to get another set for a 320i when it was due for shocks. They're firm, but not too harsh for daily use. Then I bought KYB shocks for the El Camino, and the shop gave me KYB GR2 shocks--the El Camino definitely feels underdamped with the GR2, probably close to stock Chevy. I'll be more picky next time.

[Jon K]

i just put KYB shocks on Saj3ns car, he likes them so far.

[derick]

i just put KYB shocks on Saj3ns car, he likes them so far.

so what type of car does Saj3ns have john?h

[Jon K]

Its an E34 530i

[wingman]

Any new shock will feel better than the worn out ones that are being replaced. Has anyone done any long term study on these things? I ran Bilsteins for well over 100,000kms and found them fantastic. Then again Monroes, Sachs or KYB might have been good too!?!?!

[s_ribbens]

I have experience with KYB's on two cars, but not a comparison between KYB and anything but stock on each of those cars. 1970 2002 with H&R Sports and KYB's and a 1997 Lexus LS400 with KYB AGX and H&R Sports. In each case I would describe the KYB's as overly harsh for the level of compression and rebound they have.

The issue with KYB's is that they set up rebound and compression at the same force. That isn't how it should properly be done.

In both of the cars I mentioned, I can compare them to the Tein Basic coilovers on my M3. Sure, they are entirely different cars. But... the suspension on my M3 is significantly firmer than either of those cars with KYB's yet it is more compliant than either of them.

I just picked up Bilstein Sports for my 535i (arrived yesterday) for what it's worth. I will get some Eibach or H&R's springs before I install them later this week. Do I expect the car to be as smooth and comfortable as it would be with a fresh stock set up? Nope. But, it should be decently compliant. Roads are not great around here but I'm not concerned about it even with the 18" wheels on the car.

KYB isn't bad, but Bilstein and Koni are better.