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Thread: How long can Koni Yellows last on E36 M3???

  1. #1
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    How long can Koni Yellows last on E36 M3???

    I just purchased my 1997 M3 w/ 116k miles and the car came with Stock Springs and Koni Yellows(Top Mount adjustable F&R). I was wondering how long these shocks are good for typically. I do know the car has been tracked at least 3 times since the previous owner has had it. The car shocks still seem firm with no unnecessary rebound, but if I am going to redo all the suspension, I would like to do EVERYTHING that could become a potential problem.

    I have the intention on getting on the track pretty soon but dont want to get coil-overs just yet and dont always think they are necessary for spirited DE's.

    Thanks for the replies!

    Justin
    Current Rides:
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  2. #2
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    As long as they aren't leaking, I'm sure they are fine. I had 40k miles and 25 track events on mine when I replaced them with c/o and they worked as good as the day i installed them.
    Kyle Burkhardt
    NASA Midwest Spec E30 Series Director
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  3. #3
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    Yea Koni Yellows are pretty reliable, I'd worry about ur stock springs blowing first rather than your shocks

  4. #4
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    I have had mine for over 4 HARD years. Still work for me
    Matt Williams -
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  5. #5
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    Do they start to sag after awhile? I swear it looks like my rear is lower than it was when I first installed them, with my front with no change.

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by HB20 View Post
    I'd worry about ur stock springs blowing first rather than your shocks


    Bilstein FTW.
    M2CS 6-spd

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Stinky View Post
    Do they start to sag after awhile? I swear it looks like my rear is lower than it was when I first installed them, with my front with no change.
    it might be your control arm that holds the spring is becoming deformed. i think mine is doing the same. i have a 700lbs rear spring.
    David Ortiz

  8. #8
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    No sag, but that wouldn't be the dampers.
    Kyle Burkhardt
    NASA Midwest Spec E30 Series Director
    76 2002 "tii"
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  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by HB20 View Post
    Yea Koni Yellows are pretty reliable, I'd worry about ur stock springs blowing first rather than your shocks
    A blown spring? That's gonna require a bit more explainin'...

    Even if you just have your terms completely confused, how many cases of spring failures have you seen on M3's, or BMWs in general? I can't think of any personally.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by B.Watts View Post
    A blown spring? That's gonna require a bit more explainin'...

    Even if you just have your terms completely confused, how many cases of spring failures have you seen on M3's, or BMWs in general? I can't think of any personally.
    Is there a spring that doesnt lowere the car too much. Like H&R Sport possibly? I know on E46 you had Sport and RACE. I dont wanna lower cause the roads here suck in TX!
    Current Rides:
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    2008 M3 Vert


    My Ride History
    1999 328is Lease Return :-)
    2002 325ci AA Supercharged SOLD
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    2008 VW R32 TRADED-IN

    Wifeys Ride History
    2001 VW New Beetle GLS Turbo [1.8t - 5 speed - BBS RXII's] SOLD
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  11. #11
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    Do some searcing in in the M3 forum, but there seems to be 2 h&R sport springs out there (and you don't get a choice). One has a modest drop. One is ridiculous. I got the ridiculous ones and had to run 2 10mm pads.
    Kyle Burkhardt
    NASA Midwest Spec E30 Series Director
    76 2002 "tii"
    14 Mustang GT Track Pack

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by mt3ch View Post
    Is there a spring that doesnt lowere the car too much. Like H&R Sport possibly? I know on E46 you had Sport and RACE. I dont wanna lower cause the roads here suck in TX!
    H&R has 3 stock-style springs (and tons of coilover-style springs), listed in the order of least to most drop:

    OE Sport
    Sport
    Race

    Vogtland Club Spec springs lowered my front about 5/8" and the rear 1", so not too much.
    97 Estoril/Black M3/4/5

    "Although we've experienced an M3 sedan with an automatic, our test car came fitted as God intended, with a 5-speed manual ..."
    Road & Track May 1997, testing the M3 Sedan

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by M3 Pete View Post
    H&R has 3 stock-style springs (and tons of coilover-style springs), listed in the order of least to most drop:

    OE Sport
    Sport
    Race

    Vogtland Club Spec springs lowered my front about 5/8" and the rear 1", so not too much.
    Thanks! Well my car has 118k on it so who knows how long the springs are going to last. I also have Koni Yellows so Id like to match them to a nice firm spring but I dont wanna catch my front end on anything here in TX. I would like .5" front and minimal rear drope as i like the Raked look of M3's.

    And Pete, didnt you want those TRACK PADS? I posted pics and PMed you.
    Current Rides:
    2011 335d MSport
    2008 M3 Vert


    My Ride History
    1999 328is Lease Return :-)
    2002 325ci AA Supercharged SOLD
    2003 330i ZHP SOLD
    1997 M3 Sedan SOLD
    2006 Misubishi Lancer Evolution IX SE SOLD
    2011 128i MSport (Onesie!) TOTALED after 1k miles
    2008 VW R32 TRADED-IN

    Wifeys Ride History
    2001 VW New Beetle GLS Turbo [1.8t - 5 speed - BBS RXII's] SOLD
    2007 VW GTI [DSG] - SOLD
    2009 VW Tiguan S - "Babymobile" SOLD

  14. #14
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    My GC Koni coilover kit blew two shocks in the first 3k miles.

  15. #15
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    Your stock springs should last the life of your vehicle.

    Konis aren't the longest lasting dampers - but don't replace them while they're still good. That's a waste.
    996 GT3 4.0

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by B.Watts View Post
    A blown spring? That's gonna require a bit more explainin'...

    Even if you just have your terms completely confused, how many cases of spring failures have you seen on M3's, or BMWs in general? I can't think of any personally.
    [THREAD RESURRECTION SPELL CAST]
    When I replaced my stock suspension in 2009 in my 96 328is, at around 140k miles, both rear stock springs were broken. The entire bottom coil on both sides was just sitting on the pad in the trailing arm. Maybe the old lady first owner drove it harder than I thought lol.
    When I installed my Vogtland lowering kit, which was supposed to lower the rear approx 1.6", compared to my before measurement the drop was zero. It actually was riding about 1/8th inch HIGHER with unbroken springs.
    Car now has 250800 miles (ikr?), and looking everything over last weekend as I did rear wheel bearing replacement on both sides, the Vogtland springs still look almost new 8 years later, although the struts and shocks are trashed.
    1996 328is 5spd
    M50 manifold |Tuned intake fab'd in-house w/ ABS heatshield |ASC delete w/ OEM intake boot |DrVanos Stage I kit |3.15 LSD (RIP donor M3) |Conforti Shark Injector |Bosch 140a alternator |Vogtland Junior Susp. Kit, dropped 1.6" all around |Sparco STB |Motorsport X-Brace w/ buffer |Ebay RSTB |Ricochet Poly LCABs |UUC Urethane RTABS| CDV Delete |UUC Stainless Clutch Line |The Last BSW dual 12" sub box EVER MADE! |Paint-matched M5 Trunk Lip Spoiler |DDM Motorsport International M3 side moldings |DJ Auto Projectors w/ DDE Thinlines & 55w 5000k HID |Fan Delete w/ switched electric rad fan |Exhaust "golf-t" mod

  17. #17
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    jesus christ my post up above is from ELEVEN years ago...

  18. #18
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    Why was this thread woken? In any case I’ve seen old Beetles with 30 year old Koni’s that are still fine.
    PCA HPDE Instructor
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