Anyone regret getting Koni FSD for their car?

[Dave88LX]

Need something for my wife's car. Thinking of doing the FSDs, they are around $550. KYB are a little over half that, but the quality and warranty lean me more toward Koni -- last set I would have to buy. People have now had them for a while so looking for some feedback.

Shock mounts -- Raybestos Pro Grade $9, Doorman $18, KYB and Moog in the middle. They all the same or is something about the Dorman that much better?

Thanks!

 

[Dave88LX]

(rofl2)I guess that means nobody regrets them?

 

[microvan]

Do a google search on FSD leaks and failures. I think someone here (Robatsu?) mentioned defects in one, maybe two, of the FSD's he bought.

 

[mazdadude]

I never had any complaints or regrets about my FSD's. At 50k miles usage they felt a lot better than the stock ones did at the same mileage.

 

[njaremka]

i have koni yellows in the back of my wife's Mazda5 if i were to do it over again, i would get mazdaspeed3 bilstein sports. the koni's are twin-tube low pressure, and the bilsteins are monotube high pressure. the bilsteins can handle the extra weight of the mazda5 much better.

 

[Dave88LX]

I keep hearing the MS3 stuff works in the Mz5. Why don't manufacturers then list it for the Mz5 also? I never understood that.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Bilstein is aware it is not an "ideal" match. They offer the same FRONT shocks b/c the weight on the front end of the Mz3/MS3/Mz5 are similar. They knowingly omitted any REAR shocks due to our heavier rears and prob have zero interest in valving a pair for the rear b/c they’d prob only sell two (I’d buy one ). You can get the MS3 pair for fitment and have them custom valve it.

 

[Rally Man]

What happens if you DON'T get them custom valved? Does the rear end start to bounce too much?

 

[Silentnoise713]

The MS3 spec rear Bilstein is not expecting to provide the damping forces to control the heftier Mz5 rear end. It would likely go through more oscillations which would eventually wreak havoc on the seals and leads to blown shock. Those sharp/high rise bump/dips would accelerate it.

 

[Dave88LX]

Thanks for the input!

What is the process and cost of getting the rears re-worked? Fitment-wise, are they EXACT meaning no modification required?

Retain stock springs?

 

[Dave88LX]

Nevermind on the Bilsteins -- Bilstein B6 for Mazdaspeed 3:
Front $230 each
Rear $130 each + $75 ea re-valved for heavier weight of Mazda5
TOTAL: $870

I think I will do the Koni FSD through THMotorsports. Trying to get the coupon/promo working though (if it'll work for these).

 

[rodslinger]

What about the adjustable Corskport units for the MS3.

http://www.corksport.com/corksport-mazdaspeed-3-mazda-3-adjustable-struts-and-shocks.html

 

[loosenut]

What about the adjustable Corskport units for the MS3.

http://www.corksport.com/corksport-mazdaspeed-3-mazda-3-adjustable-struts-and-shocks.html

I'll be getting those sometime this winter to replace the OEM Speed 3 struts and shocks I have on mine with the lowering springs. While 99% of the time they feel more than capable of handling the lowered 5, over prolonged undulating road, the fronts can get a little bouncy. The rears feel just about perfect, in fact I had them on the rear before I lowered it and they felt damn good on the stock suspension. I want to get the Corksport because I want to be able to play with the adjustments until I'm perfectly happy, and for the occasional track days.

 

[Dave88LX]

Koni FSDs came today!

 

[Robotazky]

Both of the rear FSD leaked in the first year on my '09. I have about $150 in replacement labor, so I'm starting to regret it. Both left puddles of oil in the garage floor and were totally shot with way under 10K miles.

 

[Dave88LX]

That is really weird. Did they replace them for you under warranty? How are the replacements holding up?

 

[Robotazky]

That is really weird. Did they replace them for you under warranty? How are the replacements holding up?

Yes, the parts were covered, and are for lifetime, but the labor adds up.

So far I think both are holding, but I don't trust them. If they blow again I'll have to look for a different solution.

 

[Robotazky]

FWIW, I hear the front passenger strut making the same scrunching noise the rears made when they failed. Sounds to me like I've got a mess on my hands.

 

[bubuski]

What happens if you DON'T get them custom valved? Does the rear end start to bounce too much?

In case anyone is wondering, Bilstein will revalve each rear shock for $60 to fit the mz5