Koni Reds or Monroe Sensa-trac? or OE?

[brotha bran]

Koni Reds or OEM

I've had my '03 Golf for just over a year now and she's in desperate need of a new suspension. I feel just about every bump in the road like a jackhammer, not to mention she's pushing 140k on what I believe are the original shocks/struts.

So after a lot of reading through the millions of posts about different options on here, I've narrowed down my choices to Koni Reds and OEM. I am basically looking to get my suspension back to what it might have been like new. I drive fairly conservatively with a mix of city and highway. Most of the roads around here in Maine are pretty rough so I want some comfort as I'm sick of feeling it every 5 feet.

Reds seem to be a good middle ground between the Boge/Sachs OE and something like the FSD from what I've read. They seem like a step up from the OE setup in comfort and handling but are they worth the premium for an average driver?


Basically I'm not looking to spend a ton of money (between $300-$500 w/ new mounts and bumps), but I also don't want to buy anything that's going to give me too rough of a ride (which is why I ruled out TC's).

Any input on what to do would be welcome.

 

[Lex4TDI4Life]

We pulled a stock set out of a car at a recent GTG. They had "Monroe" on them, so Monroe likely makes OEM struts and shocks. If it were me, it would come down to how much money I want so spend. The Konis are pricier, but have a lifetime warranty.

 

[truman]

I have the reds on my 03JW and they feel like the car should have felt when it left the factory.

 

[brotha bran]

i guess i'll probably go either with the Reds or the OEM since i just found them online. are the Reds worth the price premium over stock or are they just a bit nicer? lifetime warranty is nice though.

how do the reds fair on rough roads truman?

 

[trip'n-tdi]

i put the reds on with 16in wheels....man what a good difference it made..
i little stiffer but the way it rides and handles is the way to go

 

[brotha bran]

anyone in the ME/NH area that has a golf with Koni Reds? i'd love to take a test drive before shelling out the extra cash over the OEMs.

 

[TDICADDGUY]

Bilstein TC's are excellent and inexpensive. Monroe Sensa-Tracs are junk.

www.tdiparts.com
www.boraparts.com

 

[brotha bran]

i've ruled out monroes...its down to either reds or the oem set. i appreciate your input but TC's have a notorious reputation (especially on golfs) of being very rough. they may handle great but i am not out to race, just looking for a more comfortable and quieter ride while maintaining decent handling.

 

[RIP TDI]

And you ruled out the Sensa-tracs because...?

 

[brotha bran]

i figure if i'm in that price range i might as well stick with OEM, and it's my understanding they aren't all that different from the originals.

 

[RIP TDI]

OEMs are a conventional design, Sensa-Tracs use a design similar to FSDs...2 distinct damping ranges relative to piston position for the smooth-ride-when-cruising, firmer-control-when-pushed compromise. The reviews I've seen of those who've got them and wanted a "more comfortable and quieter ride while maintaining decent handling" as you put it, generally give them thumbs up. Like FSDs, they are designed to work best at stock ride height. Many mention the quietness of the ride as well as smoothness w/ tighter control.

I think you got it right with Reds and Sensa-tracs as the best choices for your needs as described. Some have described the Sensa-tracs as what should have come on the car from the factory.

 

[brotha bran]

Hmm. Interesting. I had heard some really positive things about the Monroes but had also heard that they were mediocre as well. (And of course the purists who say not they belong on Cavaliers, not VW's)

I will continue to look into the Sensa-Tracs. It's time's like this I wish there was some sort of test program that let you try out Golfs set up with different shocks/struts! I guess it comes down to how much I want to spend though.

Chris, do you have an opinion on Sensa-tracs versus Reds? I'd be interested..

 

[vwlogue]

I'd read Peter Pyce's "Dampers (Shocks) .... little bit more about them" on Vortex. It's listed here. After all that, I decided to put my money elsewhere and spent just a little on refreshing my suspension by getting used, under 3K miles OE struts/shocks along with higher-rated, VR6 springs from Vortex classifieds.

 

[RIP TDI]

Chris, do you have an opinion on Sensa-tracs versus Reds? I'd be interested..

Unfortunately I can only refer to other's reviews of the Sensa-tracs since I have no personal experience with them, but I do have Reds on one of my B4s and just love them for their ride/control compromise (I have TCs on my other B4 and just...hate them!). Considering the much lower cost of the Sensa-tracs and the fact that the Reds must be removed from the car to be adjusted (which negates the "rebound adjustability for wear" scenario), the Sensa-tracs may make sense even if they last only half as long.

 

[Matthew_S]

Your shock and struts probably aren't even worn out. I'd bet you could just replace all the front suspension bushing and it would make all the difference that you are looking for. Most of your problem is probably trashed rear bushings on the front lower control arms.

 

[gearhead]

I'd read Peter Pyce's "Dampers (Shocks) .... little bit more about them" on Vortex. It's listed here. After all that, I decided to put my money elsewhere and spent just a little on refreshing my suspension by getting used, under 3K miles OE struts/shocks along with higher-rated, VR6 springs from Vortex classifieds.

The VR6 springs with Koni Reds are a good, comfortable ride. I installed them in a couple A4's and they handled great on Ohio's bumpy roads.

Currently, I have TC's on the front with VR6 springs and KYB adjustables on the rear. Ride comfort is good, as the handling. TC's on the rear is where all the misery comes from. After replacing my TC's, all was fine, that was 40,000 miles ago.

 

[Lex4TDI4Life]

Your shock and struts probably aren't even worn out. I'd bet you could just replace all the front suspension bushing and it would make all the difference that you are looking for. Most of your problem is probably trashed rear bushings on the front lower control arms.

I must disagree heartily. At 140K, I can almost guarantee that the struts are blown. I just pulled a set out of a car with "only" 80K and they were shot. Do it once, do it right, and put is new struts/shocks.

 

[ruking]

I must disagree heartily. At 140K, I can almost guarantee that the struts are blown. I just pulled a set out of a car with "only" 80K and they were shot. Do it once, do it right, and put is new struts/shocks.

"Blown" is pretty easy to see. So if it is NOT leaking or has leaked in the past, the only real problem (which you really can not see, and if it is not bad you can hardly put it back) is that the actual oil in the shock itself has worn (aka slightly browner) and usually to the tune of MAX - 10%. So if that up to 10% "degradation" is not objectionable, then it is really STILL good to go. If you had it in your mind to change ANYWAY or just like a different shock feel (aka normally harder SOTP feel) then what can I say, it is really you all's nickel. Mine is still good to go @ 108,000 miles. The real issue is the cost to change (JUST) those indicated suspension parts. Again since you are in there, there is NO to not much MORE labor cost to just change the struts/shocks when just changing out the worn suspension parts. So indeed a (labor cost) catch 22.

I even have the oem tires still on the vehicle. It did not even need re alignment @ 106,000 miles. However it was reset as it was on the rack anyway. The owner/technician noted that the variance was probably due more to suspension parts just ever so slightly settling in (indicating minimal wear). I will probably consider/change mine starting at 200,000 miles. I will probably go to either replacement oem or Koni Red's. It the Koni Red premium worth it? My swag is probably NOT. If I go to it it will be a preference thing. Oem shocks despite the bad press and vilification is actually VERY well made (by SACHS). Sachs provides OEM shocks for the 2001 Corvette Z06. It probably has from 2001 to 2008, but I have truly not kept up with it.

 

[truman]

FWIW, I thought the OEM shocks were very weak on rebound- even when new. Compressioin was ok, but rebound was poor. Reds have a little more firmness on compressioin(full soft) and much better rebound than OEM. I like a comfortable, but well controlled ride. OEM shocks made it feel like a Buick. The A4 suspension is not the best- you're not going to make a slik purse out of it anyway. My wife has a Mazda6 wagon and I would describe its suspension as being near perfect- a lovely blend of ride comfort and control, which can't be had in an A4.

 

[Lex4TDI4Life]

By "blown" I mean that they had no rebound at all.

 

[Slave2school]

Sesatracs in my Father's Golf lasted about 60k km, not worth while.

 

[brotha bran]

even if they weren't shot, i'd rather just replace it all and have it over with all at once. the ride right now is almost unbearable on rough roads so i'd imagine an overhaul is in order.

here's a little humor: my father works at a GM dealership and i had him price out shocks/struts through his avenues (NAPA and a few other local parts dealers). one dealer had KYB's for it, the other had sensa-tracs, and both were fairly good deals at cost. however...NAPA's rears were Monroes (not sure which model) but only cost $12.68 each!! and a whole 30 day warranty to boot! i can't imagine what kind of trash it is to be $12 and such a short warranty.. needless to say i'll be sticking to TDIparts or a more logical VW online dealer.