924Board.org

Greenie · Joined: 10 Aug 2004 Posts: 13 Location: Seattle, WA

Having some work done in an independent shop. He wants to put 4 new shocks on my 87 924S. What price range should I be looking for??

I know the range really depends on the shock, but was just hoping for a little expertise from the board for labor hours and what type of shock recommended.

Thanks!!

Latka · Joined: 14 Aug 2004 Posts: 93 Location: Kaneohe, Hawai'i

Speaking of shocks, which type came on the 87 924S? I saw Boge, Koni, and Bilstein listed in the Performance Products catalog, but I'm unsure which are the OE replacement.

Greenie, according to the bits I saw here:
http://www.performanceproducts.com/ProductPage.aspx?ProductName=Koni+Adjustable+Performance+Shocks&productid=103690&producttype=20

The Koni Adjustables are almost $186 a piece for the front and $130 a piece in the back. I'm sure that an OE replacement will be cheaper than that. I mean...I'm *hoping* an OE replacement will be cheaper!

-Andy

gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

The original shocks were made by Sachs/Boge, unless your car came with one of the optional performance packages offered for the car, in which case the shocks and struts would have been made by Koni.

If you buy the Konis, make sure that you get the "Yellow" Sport versions, and not the standard "Red" ones. IMHO the standard shocks are too soft. You can always soften the adjustment on the shocks if you decide that they are too stiff.

My choice would be the Bilstein (heavy duty), Koni (Sport), and Boge (Turbo Gas), in that order.

The cheap domestic (Gabriel & Monroe) and Japanese (Kyb) shocks are never a good choice unless you like paying to have them replaced over and over again. Even with the lifetime warranty that many of those brands come with, you still have to pay the labor to replace them, ship them to the manufacturer for inspection/repair, and wait to get them back to reassemble your car.

While replacing the front struts, you should keep inmind that the car will also need the upper strut bushings replaced, and a wheel alignment.

You should consider installing the rear shocks yourself, even if you have decided to have the front installed by a shop. The rears are an easy bolt-in, which should take you less than an hour for both. You should figure labor will cost at least $50-$75 to have each front strut replaced, and another $15-$25 for each rear shock.

Llamaguy · Joined: 02 Jul 2003 Posts: 711 Location: Indiana

yeah, the Boge are only like $80/$60 F/R
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1987 924S Guards Red
1997 Suzuki Tl1000 Supersport

Manning · Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 151 Location: Akron O-Hi-O

If you all are going to buy online, try Paragon Product

http://www.paragon-products.com/product_p/koni-8040-1035s.htm

http://www.paragon-products.com/product_p/koni-8641-1038.htm

Or E-Shocks

http://www.eshocks.com/bil_veh.asp?Model_Index=295&Make=Porsche&Group1=Cars&Make_Long=Porsche&Manf=All

I went with Bilstein when I replaced my shocks and struts this spring as I was getting tired of replacing Koni yellows. So far I am more than please. The adjustability of Konis is WAY over rated for street driven cars.

By the way, shipping is free on orders over $200.00 from E-Shocks and their prices are some of the best I have seen (if you consider the free shipping). Performance and Mid America are WAY too high most of the time.
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Michael Manning
1988 924S Undergoing weight loss program

Latka · Joined: 14 Aug 2004 Posts: 93 Location: Kaneohe, Hawai'i

"shipping is free on orders over $200..."

Grr. Ground shipping, continental US only. Sometimes I think I might as well in frickin' Angola or somewhere for all the shipping costs I pay living in Hawaii.

Thanks for the link though. I was looking for some Bilstein shocks.

-Andy

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

Cry me a river, how can you compain about living there! Let's trade places this winter.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

D Hook · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 3158 Location: Omaha, NE

Hey!!! I'M from Frickin', Anglola! Yep, lived there when I was 12. Before that we lived in Gol' Durn, Alabama. Nice place....hated to leave it. Angola's nice but cold. Bring a sweater.

BTW, is this a good buy...anyone?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7917515928&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

I don't mind a softer shock.

Manning · Joined: 29 Feb 2004 Posts: 151 Location: Akron O-Hi-O

The rears won't fit on a 924S properly, but you can use the front inserts. Plus over time shocks go soft just sitting on a shelf. Not sure what it is, but they just won't last too long on your car. I think the seals get soggy or something and wear out quickly when finally put into use.
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Michael Manning
1988 924S Undergoing weight loss program

Bart · Joined: 06 Feb 2004 Posts: 37 Location: Oklahoma

I put Bilstiens on my '87 924S a couple of years ago and have been very happy. Good performance, good ride.

Would really like to put a set on the 968 but they are not available so Koni Yellows are my only option

Thanks
Bart
'87 924S
'92 968

Latka · Joined: 14 Aug 2004 Posts: 93 Location: Kaneohe, Hawai'i

Chrenan... it certainly is a beautiful place to live, but being on an island in the Pacific where you're damn near closer to Japan than the west coast of the US has its drawbacks, shipping stuff being one of them. That being said though, I think I can safely say that I will never throw another shovel full of snow or sprinkle a bag of rock salt again in my life.