After so many years my struts got bad - really bad and I opted for KYB struts from Rockauto. Installed them around 8 weeks ago and found they are quite the same as OEM when OEM stuts were in good shape. Basically, nothing to write home about. For those wondering - why not a kit, with stuts, bellows, mount and spring - well: I hate them. Twice in my other cars - have installed kits and always found kits to be inferior than individual (and I installed those kits which seems to get good reviews).
I know its more work (labor) but I tend to gravitate towards OEM bushings, mount coupled with 3rd. party struts and if possible re-use the OEM spring.
Not going into details - but got my hands on KONI Active (RED). Note: they aren't available for 2017+ CX5 best of knowledge (for them TEIN is best as per Reddit). There's literally a light and day difference. Everything else remained the same. Car drives very smooth, I get the same responsiveness but suburban roads and NYC roads - wow, just wow difference! Beats OEM struts any day. Caveat - they are more expensive. OEM I saw is widely available at around $130 - $140 and these are $190.
Just wanted to share.
If anyone is dropping the car by few, etc. then 100% avoid KONI.
I know its more work (labor) but I tend to gravitate towards OEM bushings, mount coupled with 3rd. party struts and if possible re-use the OEM spring.
Not going into details - but got my hands on KONI Active (RED). Note: they aren't available for 2017+ CX5 best of knowledge (for them TEIN is best as per Reddit). There's literally a light and day difference. Everything else remained the same. Car drives very smooth, I get the same responsiveness but suburban roads and NYC roads - wow, just wow difference! Beats OEM struts any day. Caveat - they are more expensive. OEM I saw is widely available at around $130 - $140 and these are $190.
Just wanted to share.
If anyone is dropping the car by few, etc. then 100% avoid KONI.
