So sorry but the old shock question again. Options

[bbrock]

Read through many of the surplus of threads on this but still a little confused.

I need to replace rear shocks on my project - the fronts (Boge) look like they may still have some life in them. I plan to place a WTB for used shocks but want to educate myself first. I'd like to restore original ride on the car and would gladly install a new pair of Boge/Sachs if they were still available. From the best I can tell Bilstein HD are the closest to stock ride comfort and performance for new shocks. True? And would Bilsteins in the rear play nice with Boge inserts up front? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Depending on answers about how Bilsteins compare with OEM ride, I might just go that route to get on a migration path to Bilsteins on all corners. Mostly just looking to experience what one of these cars was like when new - a fun and comfortable pleasure driver I can toss in the twisties on occasion but don't want to spend a fortune as this car is already claiming its share of my income.

[bbrock]

This is all great feedback and I feel like I'm starting to understand the choices. To summarize -

It seems Bilstein B6 (HD) is the "street" shock and will be a little stiffer than Boge/Sachs but still comfortable for long distance driving and could be considere "OEM" since they were available as an option. It's also easier to find a rebuild service if needed. They also happen to be significantly cheaper than Koni.

The big advantage of Koni is their adjustability and being able to dial them as soft (or close to) the OEM Boge shocks while also able to stiffen them up if needed. This is very appealing. It looks like Koni also makes an orange STR.T (why can't they just call it a "street" shock?) line but not for our cars.

I've never owned a 914 that didn't have a worn out suspension so don't have a good reference for my personal ride preference although I tend to prefer a slightly firm ride. The car will be strictly street and will be used mostly for long drives and occasionally "getting on it" around my mountain roads. I have a bit of a reputation as a road warrior and 14 hour stretches of seat time are not unusual.

At prices I've found, Bilsteins will come in nearly $200 under what a full set of Konis will run. That's making replacing all four corners more doable whereas I'd only be able to swing replacing the rears with Konis right now.

[dr914@autoatlanta.com]

Bilsteins and stock springs, as you are removing the spring to replace the shock anyway. Too bad that Sachs Boge no longer makes 914 rear shocks, because those would be the best for street driving and were very reasonable.

This is all great feedback and I feel like I'm starting to understand the choices. To summarize -

It seems Bilstein B6 (HD) is the "street" shock and will be a little stiffer than Boge/Sachs but still comfortable for long distance driving and could be considere "OEM" since they were available as an option. It's also easier to find a rebuild service if needed. They also happen to be significantly cheaper than Koni.

The big advantage of Koni is their adjustability and being able to dial them as soft (or close to) the OEM Boge shocks while also able to stiffen them up if needed. This is very appealing. It looks like Koni also makes an orange STR.T (why can't they just call it a "street" shock?) line but not for our cars.

I've never owned a 914 that didn't have a worn out suspension so don't have a good reference for my personal ride preference although I tend to prefer a slightly firm ride. The car will be strictly street and will be used mostly for long drives and occasionally "getting on it" around my mountain roads. I have a bit of a reputation as a road warrior and 14 hour stretches of seat time are not unusual.

At prices I've found, Bilsteins will come in nearly $200 under what a full set of Konis will run. That's making replacing all four corners more doable whereas I'd only be able to swing replacing the rears with Konis right now.