Her 2001 New BeetleTDI is overdue for new struts. She's utterly brand-unaware and balking at the price of Bilsteins. The car is rarely driven in anger. Springs are stock and will remain that way. I'll be doing the work myself. (Aside: Any landmines I should be aware of?)
I put a set of GR-2s on her old '96 Sentra and was impressed with them. Her dad has the Sentra now, and three and a half years later (but only about 20k miles) the GR-2s still work great.
Research led me to Sensen struts. Seriously inexpensive (as in a set of four for $127. Link: http://apxautoparts.com/apx/shocks-struts/full-sets/sensenr-1370-shocks-struts-full-set-4-pieces.html) but my Google-fu hasn't turned up any info on their longevity.
Suggestions/recommendations? Any brands to avoid? Or should I try harder to convince her the longevity of Bilsteins are worth it?
Koni spring sale is on right now - a set of STR.Ts for ~$300 http://www.idparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1148
Or Bilstein TC's. Both are reputable and relatively long lived.
tdiclub guys seem to like the koni str.t
They're a fairly low cost non adjustable upgrade.
http://www.idparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1148
EDIT: ha... Nathan beat me to it.
noddaz
HalfDork
3/28/13 1:25 p.m.
I have the Koni STR.Ts on my 97 Jetta and I like them.
Interesting note.
Front struts came with hardware, rear struts did not. (?)
DrBoost
PowerDork
3/28/13 2:04 p.m.
xflowgolf wrote:
tdiclub guys seem to like the koni str.t
They're a fairly low cost non adjustable upgrade.
http://www.idparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1148
EDIT: ha... Nathan beat me to it.
I've got 'em on my Golf. I likes them.
Tdi club does seem to favor the Koni's. I'd search for cheap OEM one somewhere too. Maybe idparts.com
Bilstien or Koni, anything else is a waste of money.
If you have access to a press or can pay someone to do it, replace the bushings at the rear of the front control arms with Audi tt ones at the same time. Stock ones that have been on the car long enough for it to need struts will be completly shot. The bushings aren't too hard to do with a harbor freight press.
