Porsche 993: Shock Absorber Reviews
Looking to upgrade or replace the shocks on your Porsche 993? Weed through the choices with this handy guide.
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 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.
Related Discussions and Sites
- Billstein H&R Complete - Rennlist.com
- Bilstein vs Monroe vs Koni: Interesting Write Up - Rennlist.com
- 993 Suspension Install: Koni FSD - 911uk.com
- Koni FSD Shock Abosorbers - Rennlist.com
- 8760 Series: Triple Adjustable Coil Over - Penskeshocks.com