Porsche 993 suspension upgrade options

Stig_GT3 · Jun 25, 2020

Hi 993 members,

For context, I drive a 993 C4 (1997) which was originally specified with the M033 suspension option.

I am looking at the Porsche Classic 993 suspension upgrade, which I understand are made by Bilstein, with green (standard) and red (sports) options.

Link: https://www.porsche.com/uk/accessoriesandservice/classic/genuineparts/producthighlights/shockabsorber993/

Has anyone had these Porsche Classic 993 green or red shock a absorbers fitted? It would be great to hear about your experience driving with them.

Also interested to hear from 993 owners who looked at them and decided to go with another option?

Finally, it would be great to hear from anyone who had the work done at Porsche Swindon and who can share their experience! [

]

I had a look at some of the older 993 threads, but thought it worth checking on recent experience.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

All the best to you and yours,

993-air-cooled-fan

Graham-S · Jun 25, 2020

I had a quote from Swindon after 1 of my rears decided to leak. Not bad for 23 years
The cost for 2 rears was expensive as really needed all 4 doing
I asked questions here, Gert http://www.carnewal.com/Suspension
And Chris at Center Gravity as my car had been there a few years earlier
They all recommend the new Koni Active Dampers
https://www.koni.com/en-US/Cars/Technology/ACTIVE_Technology/
No need to replace the springs as they are bullet proof. Also changed the 2 rear drop links as they wouldn't come off
Brought mine from Design 911 as quickest option at the time as I had 3 weeks before the club trip to the Isle of Man
Did take a few hours to adjust after 16 years on the old original suspension but soon got to learn it at 125mph etc in the de restricted areas on the Island
Had them fitted by my local indi and had to ring around to find someone to redo the suspension.Center Gravity were fully booked and ended in at OPC Reading as Swindon and Silverstone had a 6 week lead time
Worth a look thou as really enjoy it. There are other members here that have also used these too
Good Luck
Graham

Mark Elder · Jun 25, 2020

+1 for the Koni FSDs, although the Porsche Classic options were not around at the time (about 5 years ago) so were not on my research list. As I said when I did mine we really need a group of us to buy new suspension at the same time and then have a day swapping cars to really learn what the differences are. It's not going to happen so we have to work on hearsay! Bilsteins (without the Porsche branding and maybe different) were an options 5 years ago but I liked what I read about the FSDs.

I like them because they seem to be very good at soaking up the potholed road surfaces while driving as if the suspension is much harder than it feels. But I'm only comparing them the to worn out Munros that had done 70K miles.

I hope you fit one of the new classic Porsche options and give us a report on what they are like. Of course you will change many other small suspension parts at the same time so they will seem amazing. As Graham said you won't need to change the springs.

Morg594 · Jun 26, 2020

Hi
I have a 993 Carrrera S and had the Red classic Bilstein's fitted in 2018. I'm not 100% convinced I made the right decision as the setup took some work with zero support from Porsche as I was the first to get them. They were fitted by a 993 specialist.

Happy to talk about it if it helps.

Morgan

Stig_GT3 · Jun 26, 2020

Morg594 said:
Hi
I have a 993 Carrrera S and had the Red classic Bilstein's fitted in 2018. I'm not 100% convinced I made the right decision as the setup took some work with zero support from Porsche as I was the first to get them. They were fitted by a 993 specialist.

Happy to talk about it if it helps.

Morgan

Hi Morgan,

That is interesting to hear, thank you.

How do you feel about the suspension when driving?

My 993 is on 18” wheels with M033 suspension, so I was wondering if switching to the green / standard might give a more road compliant setup compared to the red / sports 993 Classic Bilstein shock absorbers.

Thanks again for your feedback, much appreciated.

All the best

pse_SC · Jun 26, 2020

+ another for Koni FSDs... my 993 is factory 18 inch hollowspokes with M033 as yours.

Complete refresh done by Centre Gravity, marvellous transformation, well worth it.
(You don’t need to spend the daft money Porsche ask to get a brilliant set up [

]).

Morg594 · Jun 29, 2020

Hi
Sorry for the delay responding

The car runs well on the new suspension and it does feel better than the original. I very detailed and was a little unhappy with the ride height when I first got the car back, this was resolved within a few weeks but it didn't seem straight forward.

I'm sure you would get a more personal service from a damper supplier who knows the 993's and has their own choice. I don't want to put you off but this is just my thoughts.

Happier to speak rather then put my comments on here.

Best