GT 3.2 with Koni FSD's & Tarox 401s

Beast: The Tarox pads seem about the same as the standard pads for dust, maybe a little better. I think I’ve done all I want to do to the GT’s suspension for now, I’ve got the result I was looking for. I don’t think bushes are weakness on the GT everything seems rock solid at the front now so I’ll leave it be.

Carter, just want to say thanks for the excellent write-up, i've been watching with interest various threads on forums for experiences of the FSD's as I am planning on adding them to my car sometime this year (with eibach pro kit springs).

It'd be cool if you can keep this thread updated with your opinions, not just for me but for other Alfisti who are reticent to make the move to the new technology.

Good job

...Will do Ghostydog

Carter,

Thanks for a great post, I have just been researching Koni FSDs and will be visiting Maclennans for my first time experience with them this summer (service is due in June).

I have heard nothing but praise for Maclennans and have had equally depressing experiences with Arnold Clark. Thankfully they are being ditched by Alfa and Eastern/Western are opening an Edinburgh franchise (though who cares when Maclennans offer such service).

Cheers,

Gary

Gary, you won’t be disappointed.

Don’t be put off when you arrive at the McLennans, it looks more like a breakers yard than a specialist garage as they have several half stripped Alfas out the front, but Stuart, and I think it’s his nephew, are really nice, genuine people and they really care about their work. Stuart has worked with Alfas for 40 years! They also offer a collection and drop off service as well which I think I’ll be using for the GT’s next service. I forgot to ask for their pricing on the 3.2 but I know it will be a lot cheaper than a main dealer. I would also recommend the 4 wheel alignment (I may even get it checked at every service) as it really seems to have improved (along with the new tyres and shocks of course) the torque steer in standing starts and in gear acceleration. There seems more grip and less drama now going on at the front wheels.

The FSDs have also settled nicely and the ride has got even more compliant over the last week and is very composed over bumpy ‘A’ roads, even with 4 people in the car.

Its interesting to note that in this month’s EVO, the write-up on the new Mercedes C350 says that the whole C-Class range have ‘new’ dampers that sound remarkably like Koni FSD technology, bar the C350 Sport which has electronic dampers. So it looks like Mercedes have joined Lamborghini in introducing this technology into their cars.

I received a letter last night from Alfa Romeo listing 4 new dealerships in Scotland (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness & Perth) including a new Western Alfa Romeo for new cars, approved used cars, service and parts on Colinton Road, Edinburgh, not far from me. Arnold Clarke is still listed, but only as parts and service so I think they must be concentrating on the Fiat side of their dealership, as AR is tucked away round at the side anyway. Hopefully Western will get some fresh enthusiastic staff that don’t try explaining away every creak and rattle as inherent to the cars design. Not that I’ll be using them much, McLennans have got by vote now…

My GTA is 3 1/2 years old with 18K on the clock and so I think a cambelt change is on the cards. I also have the ominous knocking of what I believe to be a worn Anti Roll Bar so I am expecting a big hit on the June service.

If funds allow, I'll go for the FSD's whilst its in and the suspension is being worked on anyway.

Keep in touch, we might even meet on the road some day (if you are near Colinton Road, I am in South Queensferry)

Cheers,

Gary

I am wondring between the FSD and the yellow series....

over here the club price for the FSD is about 480euro for 4

and about 340 euro for the yellow ones.

FSD or Yellow....that is the question.

There is a really good article which might help you choose:

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/tests/koni_fsd.jsp

I think I would go for the FSD...if Lambo are using them, there must be a reason for that.

Gary, If you are thinking of getting FSDs fitted at McLennan's, they have a contact at Koni. I’d advise you get them through McLennan's incase a faulty damper situation occurs again (you never know!!). It’s interesting to note that Stuart told me that Koni do not specify an RRP for their dampers, they leave it up to the reseller to decide, that's why there can be a wide range of prices for Koni dampers. If you told Stuart the best price you had found for the FSDs, I'm sure he'd match it (group buy springs to mind!). He can also get good deals on Pirrelis as well. If you would like to see what the FSDs are like in reality, give me a shout and I'll take you for a spin.

I ordered the FSDs today...they should be here within 2-3weeks...while waiting I hope to receive as well the rear set of powerflex bushes and the Q2 diff.

I already have the powerflex at the front, and I am really happy with them...

wondering what the final result FSD+PowerFlex+Q2 will do to my bella.

KGB, looks like the FSDs are starting to take off if they are on a 2-3 week delivery, when I ordered them they came in a few days.

I was seriously considering a Q2 diff before I had the FSDs, new tyres and had the wheel alignment done, but now traction seems greatly improved and I’m not going to bother. It may also be that the roads have been so dry recently I have forgotten what its like when its slippy. Also concerned about the warrenty as it’s only 16 months old.

Hope all goes well with the upgrades.

any more feedback on the pads mate? got a set coming for my GTA. Like you I didnt want to spunk £160 odds on the 2500s but wanted better than stock.

any low speed squeal?

Pablo, the Tarox pads only squeal when I come to a stop when parking i.e. at very low speed. No squealing when stopping from higher speeds i.e. at traffic lights & junctions etc. Apart from that I am very happy with them, big improvement over the standard Brembo pads, and no warming up required.

good stuff. look forward to getting mine. did you ever get the brake lines done?

thanks

No, I left it with McLennan's Garage to get the correct hoses from Goodridge but I haven't heard from them, so I take it Goodridge haven't contacted McLennan's. Not too bothered at the moment anyway, would probably work out about £150 to get done and the bakes feel pretty good now anyway, so I'm not chasing them up just yet.

cool thanks for that

Originally Posted by Carter

KGB, looks like the FSDs are starting to take off if they are on a 2-3 week delivery, when I ordered them they came in a few days.

I was seriously considering a Q2 diff before I had the FSDs, new tyres and had the wheel alignment done, but now traction seems greatly improved and I’m not going to bother. It may also be that the roads have been so dry recently I have forgotten what its like when its slippy. Also concerned about the warrenty as it’s only 16 months old.

Hope all goes well with the upgrades.

I drove a friend of mine 164 2.0 V6 Turbo today with the Q2 fitted....well what an improvement over standard diff.

Where I expected the car to under steer and go straight it was still cornering and there was even more grip available. I highly recommend it to everyone.

I bought Brembo front disk for my bella together with Remsa front pads...I am wondering if I should go for the EBC pads instead of the Remsa ones.

Also thinking of the Goodridge hoses....please keep us updated and gives us some feedback after fitting them.

Take care,

Petko

Carter - its been a while now, how are the FSDs holding up?

Originally Posted by Pud237

Carter - its been a while now, how are the FSDs holding up?

I actually sold the GT about 3 weeks ago to David B on this forum, I had no problems what so ever with the FSDs and was still happy with the ride quality and handling after more than a year.

Ah right, what do you have now then? I see you need to update your member car

I'm still looking for a suitable replacement (have a loan car from work Saab 9-3 TDi), but have narrowed it down to an Edition 30 Golf GTi (boooo hisss i hear) and am currently trying to haggle the right deal.