SJB993

After about 10 years with my bone-shaking suspension setup, I have decided it's time to go for a more comfortable ride.

The car currently has Bilstein HDs, M033 springs and 18" Turbo Twist wheels. I am on the brink of pushing the button on some Koni FSDs. I intend sticking with the M033 springs, and I have a set of 17" Cup IIs that I'll put on.

I'd be very grateful if anyone who has gone from standard OEM shock absorbers to FSDs or HDs to FSDs would give their opinion of the difference in ride quality after the FSDs were fitted.

I have never tracked the car, and have no intention of doing so, so I'm not looking for the ultimate in high speed handling. I just want to be able to do some spirited country lane driving without having the fillings in my teeth shaken out when I go over a rough surface.

I'll be looking at a total cost of around GBP2K for the FSDs, the various other parts I need (because I'm moving from HDs not standard shocks), the fitting and the alignment.

Before I spend the money, I'd just like a little reassurance that I'll end up with a more relaxing ride.

TIA

red67vert

I went with M030/FSD's, from Gert. With my 18"TT/Michelin PS2's combo. LOVE IT!

Railmaster.

Did the same thing! FSDs, ROW M030, 17" Cup2, and PS2!
Never looked back!

JM993

It will be much better. I've had HDs and hated them. I have Koni yellows (which are more firm than FSD) on one of my 993s (with M030 euro springs) and the ride is fantastic. Compliant yet tight.

jago

try the 17s with your current setup first..
i'm a bit surprised as i find the HD/M033 quite ok, even on a targa,
and i like a relatively cush ride.
also i lowered to row and then tweaked the front down about 10mm further.
i do run 17s , so the wheel size might be a big factor.
(and fwiw i put fsd on my bmw e93 (335 w/sport) and very little diff from pretty harsh stock ride)

MACH993

I went with MO33s and Koni FSDs with Michelin Pilots about three years ago. While my only comparison is to the OEM setup, I've been thrilled with the ride. It's on the relative softer side but very responsive and compliant.

pp000830

No need redo your suspension, just replace your wheels 17" or better yet 16" and things will profoundly smooth out.

Railmaster.

Exactly! 18" and bigger are not meant for 993s if ride quality is moore important than what looks!

nile13

If you think that's bone shaking...

I assume that something is severely wrong with your Bilsteins. Or that you have an M030 springs, at the very least. But, before doing any suspension work, I'd strongly suggest trying 17" wheels with taller sidewall tires, possibly softer, too, and see how the car behaves. I would also check, very carefully, what else is going on with that suspension, besides possibly leaking shocks.

nile13

Sure. And Porsche put 18" on 993s against their own better judgement, right?

I assume, that's why you are looking for those steel wheels?

nile13

One other thought for OP. Suspension is extremely subjective. Find someone local with FSDs and beg for a ride, if not a drive. That's the only way to compare and not spend the money two-three-four times.

pp000830

MY 993 is my 2nd 911, my first was an 86' with 16" wheels the old school torsion bar suspension in the back known for being rather harsh on public roads. My 993 came with 18" wheels and even with relatively soft H&R Sport coil-overs has greater harshness. I attribute it to the wheel size. As of late, the sports car buying public has developed a fetish for big wheels with low profile tires. We had a 2001 New Beetle we rep[aced with a 2014 with standard stock very large wheels. The new one rides like a truck compared to the old one.

pp000830

PS I never cared for the concept behind FSD struts. If it worked so well why have OE's gone to electronically adjustable shocks in light of their cost, complexity?

https://www.koni.com/en-US/Cars/Technology/FSD/

nile13

I'm not a fan of big wheels for street. But to say that Porsche didn't intend to put 18" wheels on a 993... is not bright. Because they did just that. Put 18" wheels on a 993. From factory. On purpose.

PS. It's not just about the size. It's haw stiff it is. And, yes I'm still talking about the tires here.

SJB993

Thanks for all the comments.