[BMW Dedicated]

We put Koni FSDs on stock springs, stock 16" wheels etc. Tire model is also the Continentals that came on the car, stock. I had Koni Yellows (sports) on a VW Bug with Eibach springs, with 18" wheels and 35 series Pirelli tires. The Bug rode smoother and really absorbed road roughness, and compared to a smaller wheel and tire setup, if not actually riding somehow smoother than stock.
With that said, ever since putting FSDs on an otherwise stock BMW 325, the car rides rougher. So much so that we went from loving the car to avoiding it at all costs for the past 5 years the FSDs have been on it, and drive a 230k mile Jetta instead of the BMW on FSDs. I don't understand, because the Koni Sports (on the softest setting) made my other vehicle ride like a dream, and the dampening was great over rough surfaces with Koni yellows. We thought the FSDs needed some miles put on them, but it didn't get any better at all. The FSDs now have 60k miles on them on the 3 series, and it's (very) embarrassing to let anyone ride with us in the car, because it doesn't absorb even minor pebbles or manholes. We pulled the OEM shocks off at 80k miles and put the FSDs on. The car now has around 140-150k miles. There was absolutely no improvement with the FSDs to absorbing roughness from the road from new nor broken in.

Does anyone have FSDs that also did not notice a positive improvement, or perhaps someone who has had Koni Sports in the soft setting and compared to a Koni Sport/yellow shock/strut that could share some experience?

[cpie168]

I have FSD’s on stock sport springs and the ride is comfortable along with good handling. The pothole explosions that I used to get with stock sport shocks/struts are no more. I ride on 18” summer non-RFT tires and 17” winter non-RFT tires, front tires at 35 psi and rears at 41.

[335e92tx]

just put on a set of FSDs on a IS yesterday. At normal road speeds, ride is better than the factory IS shocks (which only had 20K miles). I also changed to delrin heim joint arms and they make any road imperfection noticeable but really only at low speeds.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

We always recommend Koni yellow over FSD on this platform for reasons like the OP. Although everyone has different sensitivity it does seem like the FSD don't do as well as most hope on this platform from what we've read and heard from others. Although there are a few that love and praise them, it really depends on what feels good to you at the end of the day. At least with the Koni yellow they are adjusatble and they are priced similarly so there is no compromise going with them in comparison.

[335e92tx]

ill also say the previous n54/e92 had Yellows for like the last 30K (on 19" contis). New IS rides better (on pilots) and handles better - but its got 20K miles.
YMMV


FSDs can be a bit underdamped on rougher roads as speeds increase..