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Porsche 993: Shock Absorber Reviews

Looking to upgrade or replace the shocks on your Porsche 993? Weed through the choices with this handy guide.

By Jeffrey Smith - April 29, 2015

This article applies to the Porsche 993 (1993-1998).

Are you in need of a new set of shocks, or perhaps your ride isn't quite sporty enough for you? Are you starting a new hobby of taking your Porsche 993 to the track? Trying to figure out where to start, how much you should spend, and what brand is the best can really be overwhelming. When the price of any part or repair gets to the level that is just staggering, it is really imperative that you do your homework and find the right part at the right price. This is really important when choosing suspension components such as shocks to ensure you get the right ride feel at the right price point. Use this buyer's guide to help make your decision a little easier.

Shock Absorbers

Bilstein
Koni
Monroe
Penski
Price
 $1,500 $1,000 $2,000 $5,500
Looks
 Clean, narrow cylinder Slim, high-quality Standard High-tech
Weight
 5 lbs 6 lbs 7 lbs 5 lbs
Performance
 Stiff and bumpy Aggressive daily driver Daily driver High-performance racing
Warranty
 Lifetime Lifetime Limited lifetime Limited lifetime
Best Quality: Bilstein

Best Value: Koni

Bilstein

Price – $1,500

Looks – Clean look, narrow cylinder

Weight – 5 lbs

Performance – HD, stiff and bumpy

Warranty – Lifetime

The Bilstein HD B6 is by far the most popular aftermarket shock among Porsche owners. It gives a superb feel on smooth surfaces and is pretty stiff. There is not much rolling in the corners; the car will stay pretty flat and the overall suspension is definitely not mushy like the original OEM shocks. The big drawback with these shocks is that they really transmit the feel of the road into the cockpit. This means that on rough roads, the ride is also pretty rough. These shocks are really good for those who want to lower their car. Recommended for the occasional trackster or someone who doesn't mind a stiff, rougher ride.

Koni

Price – $1,000

Looks – Slim, high-quality

Weight – 6 lbs

Performance – Aggressive daily driver

Warranty – Lifetime

The Koni product is also a good choice for those who want a lowered ride. These shocks offer high performance for the aggressive driver with the nice, smooth ride of a very comfortable daily driver. Although the feel is much softer than the Bilsteins, it is nowhere near the mushy feeling of the Monroe shocks. These shocks have a great sporty feel when you want to burn into the corners with no rolling and good responsiveness. Recommended for the daily driver who wants a much sportier feel and more fun running through the twisties.

Monroe

Price – $2,000

Looks – Standard

Weight – 7 lbs

Performance – Daily driver

Warranty – Limited lifetime

Monroe shocks were standard on the OEM for the 993. They have a nice cruising feel to them; a much softer or mushy suspension. The 993 really rolls into turns with these shocks. This is not too noticeable until another aftermarket brand is put on. The Monroe shocks are not ideal for the aggressive driver or the track. Recommended for the daily driver who wants a comfortable yet standard ride.

Penske

Price – $5,500

Looks – High-tech

Weight – 5 lbs

Performance – High-performance racing

Warranty – Limited lifetime

The Penske shock is specifically made for the professional racing circuit. Each shock is custom-built by hand per customer specifications. Although these shocks technically could be used on a daily driver, they will not be comfortable on just about any road off the track. They are designed for high-speed racing, not comfortable cruising. Recommended for the track only.

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