New line of shocks from Koni - Koni Special Active the successor of FSD's

[Sreten]

As some might have noticed, Koni FSD shocks are being discontinued which for me was sad news because I loved them on my old ZHP.

I got it touch with Koni in the Netherlands and exchanged few emails on this topic as I was checking if FSD shocks were still available for E39 M5.
I have no plans of changing struts on my M5 soon but I was checking for my buddy who's shopping around and I wanted to know what's out there as FSD's would be my first pick.

Good news is that Koni confirmed they will be introducing the successor of FSD, i.e. Special Active for the E46 models! :thumbup
They said more information will be available on their website beginning of next week.

Sadly, E39 540i/M5 won't be seeing this new line of shocks due to low demand. They would need a firm order of at least 50 sets to produce them for E39 V8's which I think will be hard to achieve with the M5 crowd.

Other than this promo video, I couldn't find additional info on Special Active for now but stay tuned.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkRAfZEsCIQ

[SaltyNC]

Thanks for the info. I have had this on the back of my mind since the post about them making the new line in red. I'm due for struts and shocks, and this is high on the list as a replacement.

[Adi]

Intriguing!

[RUS_ZHP]

Thank you for shearing the info.
I am planing to change my shocks this year and it's definitely will be Koni. Now I have to stay tuned and follow news from Koni

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[John in VA]

I jumped on the FSD set prior to discontinuation. Probably won't be installing them for a year or so (60K on the coupe) - hope I don't regret them vs. waiting for the new product!

[slater]

i have to say, that is the WORST promo video ever made. :rofl

but i am interested to see what the features look like for the new line... the FSDs had 'new' technology for a mass-produced damper, but no one else has really offered anything similar.

FCM (Fat Cat Motorsports) in california does custom bilstein revalves and spring/vehicle/damper harmony tuning which introduce all sorts of awesome tech that i would LOVE to take part in, but they are very expensive (at least $2K, just for the service - the customer supplies the dampers). but if they ride and handle like i imagine they do, they are probably worth it.

[Sreten]

I'll update the thread once they post more info on their website. Should be interesting to see what the new line brings us.

I must have another ZHP sooner or later so I'm following this closely.


I jumped on the FSD set prior to discontinuation. Probably won't be installing them for a year or so (60K on the coupe) - hope I don't regret them vs. waiting for the new product!

I really don't think you'll regret FSD's. Many members here including myself love them.


i have to say, that is the WORST promo video ever made. :rofl


I have to agree, pretty crappy promo video. :biggrin

[Dual]

I jumped on the FSD set prior to discontinuation. Probably won't be installing them for a year or so (60K on the coupe) - hope I don't regret them vs. waiting for the new product!Could be sooner than you expect- my rears went out at 54,000. Replaced w/FSD's and yes, I'm a fan.

[Sreten]

Additional info from their website - https://www.koni.com/en-US/Cars/Products/Performance/Special-Active/

KONI Special ACTIVE is the next generation of premium shock absorbers that offer superior handling without compromise. It is the latest advancement in the KONI product portfolio. Utilizing the most recent generation of KONI’s patented Frequency Selective Damping technology, it controls large body motions and cornering forces but smooths expansion joints and rough roads for improved comfort.


Advantages of Special Active Shock Absorbers
• KONI’s latest generation of Frequency Selective Damping Technology
• Improves safety and road holding
• Technology proven on over 1.5 million factory equipped vehicles
• Secure and stable feeling for spirited driving
• Unrivaled aftermarket solution can be fitted to most new and older cars
• Driving refinement for cars, trucks, SUVs, etc.
• Technology that rivals expensive Original Equipment electronic systems
• Performance for driver and comfort for passengers in one

As expected it's the latest generation of their FSD technology. The most noticeable difference I see at the moment is that they are not gold anymore but red. :biggrin

Per their online catalog, parts number for E46 are the same as for the previous FSD shocks.

Front struts for E46 sedan/coupe - 8745-1022L & 8745-1022R
Rear shocks for E46 sedan - 8245-1023
Rear shocks for E46 coupe - 8245-1024

[SaltyNC]

Thanks for the continued updates. I believe I'll be going with these VS stock when I replace the suspension.

[slater]

Additional info from their website - https://www.koni.com/en-US/Cars/Products/Performance/Special-Active/

KONI Special ACTIVE is the next generation of premium shock absorbers that offer superior handling without compromise. It is the latest advancement in the KONI product portfolio. Utilizing the most recent generation of KONI’s patented Frequency Selective Damping technology, it controls large body motions and cornering forces but smooths expansion joints and rough roads for improved comfort.


Advantages of Special Active Shock Absorbers
• KONI’s latest generation of Frequency Selective Damping Technology
• Improves safety and road holding
• Technology proven on over 1.5 million factory equipped vehicles
• Secure and stable feeling for spirited driving
• Unrivaled aftermarket solution can be fitted to most new and older cars
• Driving refinement for cars, trucks, SUVs, etc.
• Technology that rivals expensive Original Equipment electronic systems
• Performance for driver and comfort for passengers in one

As expected it's the latest generation of their FSD technology. The most noticeable difference I see at the moment is that they are not gold anymore but red. :biggrin

Per their online catalog, parts number for E46 are the same as for the previous FSD shocks.

Front struts for E46 sedan/coupe - 8745-1022L & 8745-1022R
Rear shocks for E46 sedan - 8245-1023
Rear shocks for E46 coupe - 8245-1024

interesting... it would be nice if they gave a little more detail on the changes. it looks like they're doing some 'blow off' stuff looking at the graph, but it would be good to have some details.

[ZHPizza]

Red FSD's...nice...

[Sreten]

Thanks for the continued updates. I believe I'll be going with these VS stock when I replace the suspension.

Good call, Salty. The FSD's won me over and I would take them over stock without thinking twice.


interesting... it would be nice if they gave a little more detail on the changes. it looks like they're doing some 'blow off' stuff looking at the graph, but it would be good to have some details.

I too expected better description with more in-depth details. My guess is that they'll ride about the same as gold FSD's which is still a great thing.


Red FSD's...nice...

They would certainly compliment someone's obnoxiously red car well. :biggrin

[johnrando]

Thanks for the heads up.

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[Phillips0417]

Interesting to know the FSD's are being discontinued. Can only hope the successor will be as highly recommended as the FSD. Are these Actives out yet? I looked and didn't see them.

[Phillips0417]

Jason,
Thank you for your interest in KONI shocks. The Special Active line is due to launch the first of June. Some applications will be available sooner than others, as the parts have begun to arrive here. The E46 Special Actives struts will be a part of a later production run which will put them in the US mid to late July. The rears are in stock and currently being shipped to dealers.


Received this message from Mason O'Hara @ KONI.

[d-rod]

I need to do a suspension refresh and really want to get these new Koni Red FSDs. Anyone know where I can find at least the rears for now?
I saw this on ECStunning but imagine it’s not the new design ? https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180605/dc36455c0ab96914490c5f9691a90db0.png


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[John in VA]

Most info I've seen on the new product - http://www.koni-na.com/en-US/NorthAmerica/Products/Cars/Special-Active-(Red)/

[d-rod]

Does this matter guys? The fact that this shaft is longer???
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180802/8bad3e284ffb6c7a10ac884149bc7c2e.jpg


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[ZHPizza]

Maybe? Here is a comparison with the old FSD's that I installed

https://i.imgur.com/kd9Gyvc.jpg

[d-rod]

Maybe? Here is a comparison with the old FSD's that I installed

https://i.imgur.com/kd9Gyvc.jpg

lol crap ! Should I proceed with this ?


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[ZHPizza]

Maybe? Here is a comparison with the old FSD's that I installed

https://i.imgur.com/kd9Gyvc.jpgWhoops that was on the Mazda. Here is the ZHP. Looks about the same as yours.

https://i.imgur.com/ZkpmzXe.jpg

[ZHPizza]

Rears should be the same tho

https://i.imgur.com/rCfl9WL.jpg

[d-rod]

Whoops that was on the Mazda. Here is the ZHP. Looks about the same as yours.

https://i.imgur.com/ZkpmzXe.jpg

I appreciate you bro!!! No way I was turning back now lol
Another questions, might be dumb but the distance now to reinstall the sway bar end link is too great to get in there?https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180802/fa25a4f9dc3c565ff9bbfe451d90d412.jpg


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[ZHPizza]

Is it connected on the other side? Should rotate down or you may need to push it if it's being held by the bushing

[d-rod]

Dumb ! I am, just had to raise it up https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180802/a451880d1e95d4004294bd768de139b6.jpg


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[ZHPizza]

Dumb ! I am, just had to raise it up https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180802/a451880d1e95d4004294bd768de139b6.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkGod those look so much better than my gold shit

https://i.imgur.com/YTXksAc.jpg

[d-rod]

I wonder what the difference is besides the color, kind of vague on their website.
Sell yours and buy the new ones!


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[ZHPizza]

Lol maybe if they come out and say that they're functionally different. Not worth the time/$ for a color change.

Is the packaging still oddly sexualized?

https://i.imgur.com/rIdO9R0.jpg

[d-rod]

Lol maybe if they come out and say that they're functionally different. Not worth the time/$ for a color change.

Is the packaging still oddly sexualized?

https://i.imgur.com/rIdO9R0.jpg

Haha no nothing like that maybe because I didn’t buy it as a kit, sorry no pic (tossed the boxed). So far vehicle definitely feels better, but I expect that since I had 98k on the original struts. Next I want to do trailing arm bushings and front control arms/bushings.


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[Mless5]

Sorry to bring up an old thread, wanted to see if any users could share their thoughts on this new product.

Thanks.

[ciaci]

Glad you bumped this. I'm very close to pulling the trigger on these. My suspension has 120k original miles on it, so I can't wait.

There seems to be some confusion out there about whether or not these would work with the ZHP/sport suspension. It turns out that there is a specific product number for a set tailored to the lower suspension: 8745 1022LKT. Maybe the "L" is for lowered? I see them at Turner and ECS for $526.64. That's a pretty sweet deal.

My only hesitation is because I'm still on the fence regarding whether or not I want to lower the stance a little. These should be stock height. Based on how noisy and crappy the suspension is right now, I think I'll be ecstatic either way.

[d-rod]

They’re great, they ride really nice on the highway!
The Red looks nice too https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190307/0809f86ccbf75be3520a9cb0ca8ea843.jpg


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[ZHPizza]

Glad you bumped this. I'm very close to pulling the trigger on these. My suspension has 120k original miles on it, so I can't wait.

There seems to be some confusion out there about whether or not these would work with the ZHP/sport suspension. It turns out that there is a specific product number for a set tailored to the lower suspension: 8745 1022LKT. Maybe the "L" is for lowered? I see them at Turner and ECS for $526.64. That's a pretty sweet deal.

My only hesitation is because I'm still on the fence regarding whether or not I want to lower the stance a little. These should be stock height. Based on how noisy and crappy the suspension is right now, I think I'll be ecstatic either way.

You definitely wouldn't want to go with any sort of lowering spring with these shocks. The stock ZHP springs allow just enough travel for these to absorb big hits without hitting the bump stops.

[ciaci]

You definitely wouldn't want to go with any sort of lowering spring with these shocks. The stock ZHP springs allow just enough travel for these to absorb big hits without hitting the bump stops.

Thanks. I agree with you 100%. I wasn't clear in my previous post... I'm on the fence on whether I want to keep the original springs and use the Special Active kit or go with something like Koni Sport or Bilstein B8 and lowering springs. Definitely leaning towards keeping my springs and getting the Special Actives though.

BTW, I like how the black grills stand out on imola red. I have them on my black coupe for now.

[Mless5]

How do they do on rough roads?


They’re great, they ride really nice on the highway!

[Johnzerd1]

Just ordered mine for total of $498 fronts from europarts and rears from tire rack ............

[GotZHP]

Damn, that is a good deal ^
Very glad I stumbled apon this post. The FSDs are (were) my favorite for the ZHP and has been on my to do list for awhile.

Do you know if these maintain the stock ride height of the ZHP suspension, or do they lower some?

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[ZHPizza]

Just ordered mine for total of $498 fronts from europarts and rears from tire rack ............

That is a killer deal. I paid $523 for the FSD kit and that was after stacking 4 different discounts/coupons on top of the sale price.


Damn, that is a good deal ^
Very glad I stumbled apon this post. The FSDs are (were) my favorite for the ZHP and has been on my to do list for awhile.

Do you know if these maintain the stock ride height of the ZHP suspension, or do they lower some?

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The ride height is determined by the springs and these shocks/struts are a direct replacement for the OE, so no change in ride height.

[charter21p5]

Just to throw in my experience... Koni FSDs are the best for ZHPs driven in town and on the highway.

The Koni yellows are a bit stiffer more like bilstein HDs.

Koni FSDs are so smooth for in town driving however immediately stiffen up when cornering hard. These make the ZHP ride better than a new 3 series. Add Michelin AS3s or PS4s, e63 M6 seats and the ride is phenomenally smooth!

I have done all of this and added a front dinan strut bar and now I would rather have my zhp vs a new 3 non-M series.

[Will]

Anybody in southern California with these Special Actives? I'm debating between Yellows and these and I would really like to ride in a car that has them. I've done multiple 1000 mile drives (Irvine to Portland) on a 330i with the Yellows and have no complaints about firmness (I had them set at 1/4 turn off of full soft).

[Unamused]

Now would be a good time to buy with Koni offering a $50 rebate. Turner has them for $520.45 (w/free shipping).