Date: Fri, 5 Jun 1998 09:07:36 -0700
Reply-To: "Steven X. Schwenk" <sxs@SCHWENK-LAW.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: "Steven X. Schwenk" <sxs@SCHWENK-LAW.COM>
Subject: Re: Source for Koni shocks in BC?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
The initial post asked for some comparative analysis on shocks. The KYB's are
fine as a general replacement shock, but they are second-rate compared to the
more expensive konis and bilstiens when it comes to performance. On a syncro,
the KYB stiffness (which is really "unresponsiveness") is more of a problem
because you cannot put KYB's up front. Hence, the suspension is unbalanced and
the weak fronts are taxed even more. It is thus even more desirable with a
syncro to have a responsive shock in the rear that does not shirk its work by
being "stiff" and transferring the burden to the front.
I suspect you sell dozens of the KYB's a week because they are cheap, not
because they are the best shock. I got the 12-15 wholesale price from the
list. I guess I should buy the bilstiens elsewhere?
steve
The Bus Depot wrote:
> > KYB's use cheaper materials and an inferior design.
> > This is why you can buy them for $25 each down here. Wholesale I think
> > they're about $12-15.
>
> The Bilstien is probably a better shock than the KYB, but at about 4x the
> price it's not for everybody. The KYB is widely considered to be the
> "affordable" shock of choice for the Vanagon. I sell dozens of sets a month,
> and have NEVER had a single complaint about their performance. I use them
> myself on my '89 Westy, and prior to that on my '77 Westy, because frankly
> the Bilstiens (which I also sell) are too rich for my blood. I think
> they're better than the original-equipment Boge shocks, for much less money,
> and with a lifetime warranty. They do stiffen up the suspension slightly,
> which improves handling on curves, etc., but I have never found the ride
> objectionably stiff; just slightly better controlled. I have only had two
> warranty claims on KYB's (one leaked; the other was in a rust-prone area and
> eventually rusted through), and had no difficulty at all in getting KYB to
> honor their lifetime warranty. So if you have the bucks, buy the Bilstien.
> But if you can't afford them, I personally wouldn't hesitate to recommend
> the KYB's as a good overall performer and a cut above the Monroes, etc.
> typically sold by auto parts chains for about the same price.
>
> By the way, regarding a "wholesale" cost of $12-15, this person clearly has
> no factual basis for his statement. Take it from someone who knows. I buy
> KYB's in very large quantity, and pay around $20 each for them (and sell
> them for about $6 more, at $26.95). Smaller auto parts stores, which buy
> them in smaller quantities, pay over $25 for them. Even my wholesale
> supplier, who literally buys truckloads of them at a time, can't get them
> for $12-15. Not that there aren't some auto parts that are sold for 100%
> markup or more; FLAPS in particular regularly charge that kind of markup on
> specialized parts that aren't discretionary purchases. For example, when
> you walk into an auto parts store and need a master cylinder, the odds are
> you need it right away and will pay whatever they ask, so they make their
> money on you. But promotional items like shocks, brake pads, tune up parts,
> filters, etc. are typically sold at a lower markup due to their competitive
> nature.
>
> - Ron Salmon
> The Bus Depot
> http://www.busdepot.com
> (215) 234-VWVW
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