Have an 2003 996TT, anyone have experience with installing used coilovers?,...what are the risks involved?,...don't want to pay for install and alignment twice! There are so, so many on the websites. Is it possible to get a okay "German Set" for around $1500???

 

Risks are they could need rebuilding, have incorrect spring rates for your application, have damaged components, leaking seals, insensitive dampening adjusters, oil has become dirty and lost some dampening characteristics, bent or scored shafts, want more?

 

Depends how many miles on them you you can tell sometimes from pics. Why don't you go with springs unless you road racing.

 

i personally wouldn't buy a used set. The headache / risk is worth more than you are saving.

That being said, I did ride a ksport equipped 996 and was pretty happy with the ride. Felt great at over 100, but still comfortable enough for daily driving.

Watch the rates when you are shopping and make sure you get something that will suit your driving needs, not just what everyone is a fan of.

 

Thanks for all the responses! I am learning more and more about what I would like and what I need. I am most definitely going to go for "quality" because after all it is a "Porsche"/"German Engineering"! Some of the threads I've read we're all horror stories about just installing "lowering springs",...that is why I am considering "coilovers". There is almost NO consistent pricing on "KW or HR",...the prices are all over. I don't want to track the car, but I do want to command the streets/highways meaning I want to be able to have less bounce and I want the car to handle well around turns. Thanks for all the input so far.

 

"I did ride a ksport equipped 996 and was pretty happy with the ride. Felt great at over 100, but still comfortable enough for daily driving."

I can confirm this as well... and they are infinitely adjustable...

 

You can get a used set rebuilt here.

http://www.elephantracing.com/index.htm

I bought some used PSS9's when I had my 9996TT. Never had any issues. I added sway bars as well and it made a huge difference in the handling.

I would not go with springs alone.

 

Slightly off topic but can the X73 suspension be rebuilt?

 

YES.......send them to Bilstein.............Mike

 

most aftermarket coil overs require rebuilding every 2 yrs. if you can find a quality used set for a very good price rebuilding is very cost effective.

my car came with a set of early single rebound jrz coil overs. cost new is over 3000$. rebuild cost with shipping from olsen motorsports is 850$. better than any set on the market price wise. if you can find jrz , ohlins, penske for under 2000$ add rebuilding cost and your still coming out ahead. just need a decent set to begin with

 

Wow thanks for all the information and opinions. I've been actually looking in EBay at different sets and I think I'll be going for the "HR set" because their sets are produced in Germany and cost less than KW. By the way anyone have first hand experience in rebuilding coilovers? Thanks again fellow members.

 

Yup, I've rebuilt them. You need special tools and you need to source the parts, that can be difficult. You also need a bottle of nitrogen and a way to dispense it into the shock.

 

I purchased a set of used PSS9's. Since Bilstein is located just south of me in the San Diego, I sent them in and paid $125 per to have them redone. I ended up paying about 1/2 of what a new set would be. So if you are buying a used set, check to see if the manufacturer will refurbish them.

 

Rebuilding after every 2 years? Maybe of track use...but the way most of us probably drive these cars i'd be hard pressed to believe they wont last longer than 10,000 miles.

 

Rebuilding every 2 years is either extreme track use, or crappy coilovers.

I have PSS9 on my 964, street use only, and there are no signs of leaking or degrading in ride quality in 10 years.

My 996tt also mainly street use, has had Pss10 for 3 years and they are still like new.

The Pss10 was a huge improvement in overall ride quality.