Koni Special Active dampers

[TodmordenLad]

Given that there are a lot of folk on here who love to tinker and who are a darn sight more knowledgable than me, has anyone replaced their dampers with Koni Special Actives?

My new Audi A4 is a great estate car apart from one thing - the sport suspension set up, which is, how can I put it, cr*p?! Choppy at slower speeds and unsettled at faster speeds. A p*ss poor implementation IMO. I bought used and couldn't find an example with adaptive suspension unfortunately.

I don’t want to touch the OEM springs as I’m happy with the ride height. I’ve spoken with a couple of VAG specialists and they are recommending Koni Special Active dampers, which are designed to work with the OEM springs. Does anyone have any experience of them?

Many thanks

[ShocknAwe]

I used them on my X5d paired with Vogtland springs until a kit made with ohlins is available. They're pretty good for what they need to be.

[Tambohamilton]

Got them on my e91...wouldn't buy again. Not enough control. Firmer damping would be more comfortable, in my case.

[M3SQRD]

Koni special active dampers use their FSD (frequency selective damping) which supposedly separately controls low frequency (sprung weight - weight transfer of the entire car, except for knuckle/wheel assembly weight at each corner, under braking and in corners) and high frequency (unsprung weight - weight of knuckle/brake/wheel assemblies at each corner). This is what every damper does - they have low-speed damping (spring weight) and they have high speed damping (unsprung weight). I have not seen a damper curve (damping force vs. piston velocity) for Koni FSD dampers. So I can’t tell if FSD is more marketing vs. real performance.

[Tambohamilton]

Mind the orientation of the axes:
https://www.koni-na.com/getattachmen...500&height=150

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Mind the orientation of the axes:
https://www.koni-na.com/getattachmen...500&height=150

Thanks for your input. My challenge is to improve the brittle ride at low speeds and floaty ride at high speeds. I don't want to mess around with the ride height - which is lowered already with the Audi OEM sport springs - so won't be touching the springs. I've spoken to a number of independent suspension specialists as well as Koni themselves, who were very helpful, and Koni SAs seem to be the way to go. They're specifically designed to work with OEM springs - and not with aftermarket lowering springs - so I'm hopeful they will make a difference. I'm not expecting a night and day difference but if they can take the edge of the low speed harshness as well as the high speed float, I'll be chuffed! Installation is scheduled for the week after next 🤞