Koni or Bilstein struts???

[TexasZ3]

I have just replaced the original (1999) rear shocks with Koni 8040 1217 sport and now need to replace the front struts. After researching this further, I now see a lot of BMW and Z3 owners on You Tube saying Bilstein are the best! I am looking at Koni 86411 1338L SPORT (left front) and 86411 1338R SPORT (right front). The Bilstein equivalents are 35-044024 B8 and 35-044031 B8.
My two questions are.
(1)Does anyone have any experience of using either of these struts
(2 if I decide to use Bilstein, is it OK to have Koni on the rear and Bilstein on the front? Thank you.

 

[Zephyr]

Many parameters make them different, like damping stiffness, length, rebound etc.
i had Bilsteins (B8) on an Audi TT and never liked them for street use. very hard and you could tell head from tails if you run over a coin. (Maybe combination with the lowering springs I had installed).
for track use they were fantastic but track was 10% of the use of that car.
Stick with Koni, nice to have a predictable setup.
cheers.

 

[Andyboy]

OEM Boge Sachs is fine.

 

[t-tony]

Bilsteins at one the front and Koni at the rear will be fine.

Tony.

 

[TexasZ3]

Many parameters make them different, like damping stiffness, length, rebound etc.
i had Bilsteins (B8) on an Audi TT and never liked them for street use. very hard and you could tell head from tails if you run over a coin. (Maybe combination with the lowering springs I had installed).
for track use they were fantastic but track was 10% of the use of that car.
Stick with Koni, nice to have a predictable setup.
cheers.

 

[TexasZ3]

Thank you so much for your feedback. Definitely do not want that kind of ride.

 

[TexasZ3]

Bilsteins at one the front and Koni at the rear will be fine.

Tony.

Tony. Thank you. I was thinking the same but wanted to make sure.

 

[Nodzed]

If the car is not lowered or fitted with sport OEM springs best use B6s, B8s have a shorter rod for lowered cars. The shock performance is however the same between B6 and B8.

 

[TexasZ3]

If the car is not lowered or fitted with sport OEM springs best use B6s, B8s have a shorter rod for lowered cars. The shock performance is however the same between B6 and B8.

Nodzed thanks for the feedback. The springs are original so car is not lowered. I am having trouble in the US finding B6 for my Z3, Bilstein recommended standard or B8's. I am still searching.

 

[cityconstable]

Rock auto has everything

 

[TexasZ3]

Rock auto has everything

Thank you. Just checking them out

 

[Nodzed]

Nodzed thanks for the feedback. The springs are original so car is not lowered. I am having trouble in the US finding B6 for my Z3, Bilstein recommended standard or B8's. I am still searching.

Sorry that's not correct, if its standard springs B6, if lowered B8

This is from Bilstein.

 

[cityconstable]

Billstein standards