Date: Wed, 25 Aug 1999 21:57:59 -0700
Reply-To: Steve@SCHWENK-LAW.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Steve@SCHWENK-LAW.COM
Subject: Re: [Syncro] FW: Syncro Bilstein shocks purchase
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Why pay $900 for a set of shocks? That breaks down to
$225 a piece...about what the dealer charges for the
stock Boges. It's more than double what you can get
the Boges for, though. Nevertheless, the increase in
performance is well worth it. Also, if you put demands
on your suspension, like I did by carrying lots of
weight in my syncro westfalia on sometime srough dirt
roads, these are actually cheaper than the boges. I
went trhough two new sets of boges in 2 years...fronts,
that is. The boges are not valved for that kind of
weight/use, but are an all-around shock for westies and
regular vans alike. The bilsteins, on the other hand,
are, and can take it with ease. At if/wehn they wear
out, they can be rebuilt at half the cost of new boges.
Performance wise, there is no compairson. Cornering is
vastly improved. Side winds are no longer a problem,
unless reallly, really severe. The vehicle handles
much better, is more stable and predictable. Where the
shocks really shine, though, is rough stuff. The
rougher, the better. I assume that most syncro owners
do at least travel dirt roads. You will smile with
amazement over these shocks.
They are a tad on the stiff side on the pavement. It
is a firm ride...but a responsive one...in a corner you
can feel each shock working through the turn...these
are not KYB pogo sticks. Still, I am exploring
slightly softer damping for the fronts. The rears are
perfect. I want the engineer who designed them to go
for a ride with me and see what he thinks he can
do...what the trade-offs might be with slightly softer
damping. If the shocks were not revalvable, I would be
plenty happy with them the way they are...but since
they are revalvable, I want to see if i can get them
perfect. Hopefully, the second list purchase can take
advantage of this R&D and have an option as far as
stifer of firmer damping settings.
The people who bought them first time around were my
self, Peter Buettner, Michael Sullivan, Carl Hanson and
Mark Drillock. Only Peter and I have actually
installed them thus far. Peter does not feel the need
to experiment as much as me and seems satisified with
the shocks as they are.
I am planning to get some custom springs made up aftrer
I sort out the damping for the front. I am thinking
along the lines of softer damping on the fronts, and
then custom front springs (approx. $100 a pair) a
little stiffer than stock. Peter and Mark have already
ordered custom front springs about 10% stiffer than
stock. I am thinking perhaps 5-7% stiffer, but will
have to see once those guys get their springs.
steve
Mark McCulley wrote:
>
> From: "Mark McCulley" <transporter99@hotmail.com>
>
> I'm curious--what is the attraction of these shocks? At$860, they are
> certainly not cheap.
>
> Is it that they are rebuildable?
> Is it that they perform better than the OEM Boges?
> Is it that they offer a potential increase in ride height?
> Is it that they are unique and rare?
>
> How many list members have tried these? Any testimonials? Are they designed
> for ride comfort or performance (there's always some degree of tradeoff
> here)? What kind of performance--cornering? light-duty off-road? serious
> off-road?
>
> I'm interested in these shocks but I'm not really sure what I'd be getting
> if I purchased a set.
>
> -Mark McCulley
>
> >From: Ron Lussier <coyote@andromedia.com>
> >Subject: [Syncro] FW: Syncro Bilstein shocks purchase
> >Date: Wed, 25 Aug 1999 12:17:17 -0700
> >
> >From: Ron Lussier <coyote@andromedia.com>
> >
> >Folks,
> >
> >We're ready to go with the second list purchase of Syncro Bilstein shocks.
> >This may be the last chance to get these.
> >
> >These shocks were custom designed by a Bilstein engineer who had a 16"
> >syncro in germany. The rears are off-the-shelf revalved for the Syncro.
> >The front shocks are handmade, custom 100% and built in a race shop under
> >the supervision of the guy who designed them. They're expensive, but
> >they're rebuildable, giving them a nearly unlimited lifespan. They're also
> >revalveable, which meeans that they can be valved for your individual ride
> >preference. Lastly, they have adjustable spring perches. You can specify
> >how high you want the adjustments above stock height.
> >
> >These are being built in Bilstein's race shop in San Diego, and will be
> >drop-shipped to each purchaser. (We're buying them through a third-party
> >race shop. Bilstein will not sell them directly for liability reasons.)
> >
> >BOTTOM LINE:
> >Price is $860 a set, 10-12 weeks delivery time, plus $12 shipping. (A set
> >consists of 4 shocks.) In order to place this order, I need deposits from
> >everyone for $460. An additional $412 will be required when the shocks are
> >ready to be delivered.
> >
> >I also need everyone to give me a set of front Syncro shocks. These don't
> >have to be new... in fact, they shouldn't be, since they're only going to
> >be
> >cut up to use the mount.
> >
> >HOW TO ORDER:
> >I'll be coordinating this. Please send the cashier's check *** along with
> >one front pair of stock Syncro shocks ***, to:
> >
> > Ron Lussier
> > c/o Andromedia
> > 818 Mission St. 2nd Floor
> > San Francisco, CA 94103
> >
> >*** Note that the cashier's check should be written to
> > Ron Lussier, NOT Andromedia ***
> >
> >If you live in California, I'll need an out-of-state delivery address for
> >you so that the race shop placing this order doesn't have to collect sales
> >tax. If you don't have one handy, I'll have your shocks sent with mine and
> >I'll take care of redistributing them in California.
> >
> >Any questions, please drop me an email. I'm plan on sending this order in
> >on Friday September 10th.
> >
> >Coyote
> >-- /\_/\ ____
> >Ron 'Coyote' Lussier ( ) \ _/__ Andromedia, Inc.
> >coyote@andromedia.com \ / \X / 818 Mission St.
> >1.415.365.6467 \_/ \/ San Francisco, CA 94103
> >
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