Koni Steering Dampers - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rainmaker · #1 05-16-2002, 09:22 AM

Anybody got a source for Koni steering dampers? I need one each for the 500E and the Range Rover. I checked with luke at Tirerack and all they have are shocks.

Thanks!

aldedmon · #2 05-16-2002, 10:58 AM

www.koni.com

Michael · #3 05-16-2002, 03:19 PM

Why Koni? I've got an MBZ-sourced Bilstein unit on my 500, and it's still fine after 3 years and 50k miles

rainmaker · #4 05-16-2002, 11:39 PM

Albert,

Thanks, but they don't seem to sell on the site.

Michael,

I was thinking since I was putting in Koni shocks anyway, I might as well try the dampers. Especially on the range rover where the steering kicks around a bit when running over road imperfections specially at speed.

aldedmon · #5 05-17-2002, 01:48 AM

The site should direct you to who, in your neck of the woods or other area of the world, does sell the requested products.

Michael · #6 05-17-2002, 06:45 AM

Why Konis? Y'know, if you're looking to stiffen up your front suspension, one option is to install early (before 2 or 3/92 build date) 500E front struts.

Good luck with your search!

rainmaker · #7 05-17-2002, 11:21 AM

I was thinking that the adjustability feature of the Konis would give me flexibility.

Is there something wrong with the Konis that I may not be aware of?

Michael · #8 05-17-2002, 12:53 PM

Nothing wrong with them; however, what dissuaded me is that Koni sells the same damper for the 400E as the 500E. Now, given the 500E's completely different suspension tuning, geometry, range of travel etc. from that of its W124 brethren, this particular application seemed like it would involve more design compromises than I'd like. And given that the early 500E dampers were spec'd by Porsche & fabricated to MBZ standards, I felt more comfortable with that alternative.

Just my 2% of a buck.

rainmaker · #9 05-17-2002, 01:07 PM

Makes a whole lotta sense when you put it that way!

aldedmon · #10 05-17-2002, 01:51 PM

I bought my KONI's from RennTech for the 400e Conversion who I'm told contracted thru Koni to have them valved to their own specs. So off the shelf, they may perhaps sell the same P/N for both apps, but mine are different than Off the shelf. I think, at least back when Renntech was subcontraction thru Koni, that they (Renntech) only carried a front application for the 500e, but not the rear due to the reasons mentioned earlier(This is/was in the mid to late 90's)

Michael · #11 05-18-2002, 05:57 PM

Albert,

I was unaware that Koni produced 500E-specific shocks for RennTech.

I would consider such a product if still available; anybody know?

omegabenz · #12 05-19-2002, 02:29 AM

rainmaker,

I read somewhere that renntech does subframe modifications to w124s, what does that mean? You say you bought a lot from renntech, maybe you know.

Thanks

Austin

rainmaker · #13 05-19-2002, 02:38 AM

I believe it allows you to lower the rear while keeping camber within spec.

run.exe would know more about it than I do. either he put one on or was seriously considering it. there was a discussion about it on these boards.

run a search on subframe and renntech and I'm sure it'll show up.

Michael · #14 05-19-2002, 09:05 AM

I know one of those RennTech subframe "mods" requires you to drill new suspension pick-up points (or make larger the current ones?) on your current subframe

aldedmon · #15 05-20-2002, 01:49 PM

This is off their current website, but I have an old 90's catalogue that I'm thinking had a suspension kit for the 500E/E500 that had matching parts...Only Dampers for the front because of the Self leveling Susp etc. I'll double check, or just give Bob a call down at Renntech

Suspension kit (4 springs, 2 sport dampers - 400E/E420 w/self leveling) $1,260

Lowering kit (4 springs - 500E/E500 - special order) $625