Koni Special Active dampers installed – review

[JN23]

I bought my A4 Avant Black Edition MY ’23 with my eyes open, knowing that I’d need to do something to improve the ride quality of the sports suspension on 19"s. I wanted the trim level for aesthetic reasons, interior and exterior, plus the seats. I’ve just had Koni’s Special Active Dampers fitted and the wheels aligned so thought I’d share some thoughts in case there are folk thinking of doing the same. The shocks use a patented technology which Koni refers to as ‘frequency selective damping’. It uses valve technology within the damper to adjust response based on frequency – aka road surface quality. A form of active behaviour without any electronics.

The ride quality has undoubtedly improved although it would be an exaggeration to say that it has been transformed - this is no Bentley on air suspension! At very low speeds and on bad surfaces, it’s not much different from stock, tbh (which were Sachs, OEM for Audi). Once you reach speeds of around 30mph and over, it's noticeably better. Imperfections in the road surface are muted and there is less harshness and crashiness. At motorway speeds, things are better still, with less float to the ride. The car still isn’t as planted as the 3 series BMW’s I’ve owned but it’s a more refined drive, which compensates. In summary, the ride remains firm but much better controlled/resolved.

So, one pleased customer

 

[Gogo]

Thank you for this feedback, I'm thinking of the same option.
Supose you have left oem sport springs, did you think about replacing them with eibach prokit since many people report that they are more compliant and softer?

Also, I have heard that Koni SA need some miles to bed in, after 1 or 2K they should feel even better, please give some feedback after some time ....

 

[JN23]

Thank you for this feedback, I'm thinking of the same option.
Supose you have left oem sport springs, did you think about replacing them with eibach prokit since many people report that they are more compliant and softer?

Also, I have heard that Koni SA need some miles to bed in, after 1 or 2K they should feel even better, please give some feedback after some time ....

I did think about changing springs and dampers at the same time but having discussed options with a number of suspension specialists here in the UK, decided against changing the springs as I did not want to lower the ride height any further.

The Koni Special Active dampers are designed to work specifically with OEM springs and not with lowering springs, which is worth bearing in mind if you're thinking of changing your set up.

I'll provide some more feedback in a 1,000 miles or so

 

[JN23]

A warning to anyone considering these for their A4 Avant B9 S Line (sports suspension) or S4 Avant B9.

Koni has positioned the spring seat on the front dampers too high by around 13mm. It raises the front ride height and lowers the rear. My reseller, who also did the installation, has sent data off to Koni, asking for a solution. We took measurements of the Koni's and my OEM dampers, as well as using another OEM version of the same. Koni has definitely got it wrong here. Hopefully they’ll put their hands up and engineer a new batch with the perch at the correct height. Otherwise, I’ll be returning the Koni Special Actives for a refund and will revert to stock dampers, which would be a pity.

 

[Gogo]

Have they comment on anything? This seems like a big mistake on their side.
How do you know it only affects avant b9 and not sedan?

 

[JN23]

Have they comment on anything? This seems like a big mistake on their side.
How do you know it only affects avant b9 and not sedan?

Not yet, data was only submitted today.
It is indeed a big mistake and there are a number of possible explanations: a dogy batch, a wrongly labelled damper or the fact that they might have modelled the Koni damper on the wrong Audi OEM damper in the first place, or lastly, they simply manufactured it incorrectly. We shall see.
I dont know that it only effects the estate but i can only comment on the estate as I dont have the sedan (-:

First step is for them to admit they got it wrong and then, they have to provide a solution

 

[Gogo]

I see, good luck, hope they correct it.