Koni's Installed!
07-12-2007, 01:21 PM
#1
Koni's Installed!
As a lot of you know I have had the pleasure of experiencing numerous suspension setups. These Koni's are the best struts by far I have experienced.
My observations are unique in that I have experienced (3) different kinds of struts with everything else remaining the same.
My car: Progress springs, Progress RSB, & GR2 rear shocks.
OEM struts provide the best overall ride quality (slightly) but is light years behind the other two struts I'm about to mention in handling. The OEM's bottom out like crazy and simply are not valved properly at all for lowering.
GR2 struts handle 40% better than OEM's but suffer 20% in ride quality. They are reasonably fine for most applications but people in places like NewYork should beware! A very nice strut...but can't compete in terms of smooth ride qualities with the other two struts. Very good value though! Recommended if you're on a budget.
If money is no object DO NOT hesitate to get the Konis. They have wonderful ride characteristics, and will put your car in a whole other category in terms of handling. They are smooth while exhibiting outstanding handling characteristics. Over certain kinds of road irregularities they even ride better than OEM's because bouncing is at a nil! I'll repeat myself, if you have the money, BUY THESE STRUTS! Highly recommended!!!!!!!!!!!
BTW The phone support is immediate and most helpful (Active Tuning).
My observations are unique in that I have experienced (3) different kinds of struts with everything else remaining the same.
My car: Progress springs, Progress RSB, & GR2 rear shocks.
OEM struts provide the best overall ride quality (slightly) but is light years behind the other two struts I'm about to mention in handling. The OEM's bottom out like crazy and simply are not valved properly at all for lowering.
GR2 struts handle 40% better than OEM's but suffer 20% in ride quality. They are reasonably fine for most applications but people in places like NewYork should beware! A very nice strut...but can't compete in terms of smooth ride qualities with the other two struts. Very good value though! Recommended if you're on a budget.
If money is no object DO NOT hesitate to get the Konis. They have wonderful ride characteristics, and will put your car in a whole other category in terms of handling. They are smooth while exhibiting outstanding handling characteristics. Over certain kinds of road irregularities they even ride better than OEM's because bouncing is at a nil! I'll repeat myself, if you have the money, BUY THESE STRUTS! Highly recommended!!!!!!!!!!!
BTW The phone support is immediate and most helpful (Active Tuning).
07-12-2007, 01:23 PM
#2
I agree. I am so pleased with my Konis. Have u considered the adjustable KYB AGX shocks for the rear? What setting do you have the Konis. I have mine 1/2 back from the hardest setting.
07-12-2007, 01:35 PM
#3
Originally Posted by DeusExMaxima
I agree. I am so pleased with my Konis. Have u considered the adjustable KYB AGX shocks for the rear? What setting do you have the Konis. I have mine 1/2 back from the hardest setting.
I have played around with the setting from softest to hardest and like them all. Sick handling at firm setting but with reasonable ride quality. Supple ride quality at the softest setting while still maintaining very good handling characteristics. It all depends on the mood. Right now the mood is 1 turn.
sooo this means i get your hammy downs 
07-12-2007, 05:54 PM
#8
Originally Posted by KCmaxx
< No problems on stock/progress.
Konis/struts have no effect on the looks of the car. Please refer to this link for pictures...http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=528475
I don't know what you mean Miami. The struts are already installed so pictures would be difficult. Do you want pics of the struts I took out?
If so refer to this link...http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....light=lowering
Active Tuning is a reputable/legit company. So the konis are authentic and perform as such...
This commentary regarding all three struts was meant for anyone considering staying stock, going to GR2's, or Koni/AGX concerning ride quality, handling, and cost concerns.
I am no expert, just someone with a opinion just like everyone else on this here board. Mine is unique only in the way I have tried all three on the same platform.
With this commentary and others, hopefully we will build a consensus on what is best for most-if not all Maxima enthusiast.
Best of luck to you all in your own considerations for handling, cost, & ride quality. As a reminder, KC isn't having any problems with his stock struts & shocks. Some of us do, some of us don't. Those of you who lower your vehicle (or not) hopefully will be as fortunate as KC staying on stock shocks & struts.
Now if you'll excuse me I have a car fire to attend to...
07-13-2007, 07:38 AM
#11
Originally Posted by lmuscella
Your gaps on the wheels look great. This would be my next mod. How bad would it be to due the front first with Koni's and wait on the back. I just can't stand the look on the front.
Please read this outstanding write up on how suspension works. Focus on dampers...http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-suspension.htm
The only exception is with coilovers. But then again they are called coilovers. Anytime you here the words shocks or struts know that it does not effect the look of your car.
In terms of wheel gap & height, it's all about springs. Mine are Progress springs.
07-14-2007, 01:33 PM
#14
Originally Posted by PhotoGus
^^^^^^^^^^^ Do you have system in trunk?? I've noticed eibachs look lower in the rear.....or is it heavy systems?? Progressive seem to be more even.....correct me if I'm wrong......Respect
It is weird because Progress is rated at 1.8 in the front & .75 in the rear versus eibach rated at 2.0 in the front and .8 in the rear??? But yeah, Progress seems to have the more even stance. Don't go by my car because I took 1/4 turn off the front springs.
This bought me another .2 inches. I do have 2 heavy 10 inch woofers in a dual sealed enclosure in my trunk.
It is mounted as close to the rear seat as possible. I have stiffer shocks in the rear as well.
07-14-2007, 05:20 PM
#15
Just like coolmax, I have two 10" subs in an enclosure mounted in the trunk. Yes , the rear does end up sitting lower than the front but I don't think it is to the point that the car looks uneven.
07-14-2007, 07:57 PM
#18
Originally Posted by PhotoGus
Nah man, I didn't mean it like that....your ride look tight, I just have a meticulous attention to detail.
07-15-2007, 06:01 PM
#23
Well the Konis have completely settled in now and I must say-this is in my top two-three favorite mods. The car is so frikkin' fun to drive now. The enhancement in road feel and control is utterly mind boggling.
I took the car to my test ground (downtown Phoenix with road irregularities galore) and saw a Mercedes slow to a crawl over huge potholes while I jammed past him feeling in complete control with the suspension saying is this all you got?
High speed turns almost brings me to tears (must buy klennex). The car intially does a slight squat and then stays flat communicating to you in mellifluous tenor sax every detail of what the tires are saying.
I almost felt today like I was in a rear wheel vehicle maxin' it around a 90 degree turn going sideways (nobody around)...turned into the skid, straitened, and accelerated. Simply awesome!
I took the car to my test ground (downtown Phoenix with road irregularities galore) and saw a Mercedes slow to a crawl over huge potholes while I jammed past him feeling in complete control with the suspension saying is this all you got?
High speed turns almost brings me to tears (must buy klennex). The car intially does a slight squat and then stays flat communicating to you in mellifluous tenor sax every detail of what the tires are saying.
I almost felt today like I was in a rear wheel vehicle maxin' it around a 90 degree turn going sideways (nobody around)...turned into the skid, straitened, and accelerated. Simply awesome!
07-15-2007, 09:49 PM
#25
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Olympia, wa
Posts: 186
Originally Posted by coolmax05
As a lot of you know I have had the pleasure of experiencing numerous suspension setups. These Koni's are the best struts by far I have experienced.
My observations are unique in that I have experienced (3) different kinds of struts with everything else remaining the same.
My car: Progress springs, Progress RSB, & GR2 rear shocks.
OEM struts provide the best overall ride quality (slightly) but is light years behind the other two struts I'm about to mention in handling. The OEM's bottom out like crazy and simply are not valved properly at all for lowering.
GR2 struts handle 40% better than OEM's but suffer 20% in ride quality. They are reasonably fine for most applications but people in places like NewYork should beware! A very nice strut...but can't compete in terms of smooth ride qualities with the other two struts. Very good value though! Recommended if you're on a budget.
If money is no object DO NOT hesitate to get the Konis. They have wonderful ride characteristics, and will put your car in a whole other category in terms of handling. They are smooth while exhibiting outstanding handling characteristics. Over certain kinds of road irregularities they even ride better than OEM's because bouncing is at a nil! I'll repeat myself, if you have the money, BUY THESE STRUTS! Highly recommended!!!!!!!!!!!
BTW The phone support is immediate and most helpful (Active Tuning).
My observations are unique in that I have experienced (3) different kinds of struts with everything else remaining the same.
My car: Progress springs, Progress RSB, & GR2 rear shocks.
OEM struts provide the best overall ride quality (slightly) but is light years behind the other two struts I'm about to mention in handling. The OEM's bottom out like crazy and simply are not valved properly at all for lowering.
GR2 struts handle 40% better than OEM's but suffer 20% in ride quality. They are reasonably fine for most applications but people in places like NewYork should beware! A very nice strut...but can't compete in terms of smooth ride qualities with the other two struts. Very good value though! Recommended if you're on a budget.
If money is no object DO NOT hesitate to get the Konis. They have wonderful ride characteristics, and will put your car in a whole other category in terms of handling. They are smooth while exhibiting outstanding handling characteristics. Over certain kinds of road irregularities they even ride better than OEM's because bouncing is at a nil! I'll repeat myself, if you have the money, BUY THESE STRUTS! Highly recommended!!!!!!!!!!!
BTW The phone support is immediate and most helpful (Active Tuning).
07-16-2007, 11:33 AM
#27
dammmit .. now I have to buy these Koni things huh. Do you guys recommend staying with the stock springs or upgrading them? I'm looking for a more solid ride, not necessarily a more uncomfortable ride. Koni's should be ordered before the end of the self-install season here in NY. I can't wait.
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