strut replacement/upgrade - Koni FSDs?

[glasnost]

Hi Folks,

I am looking at a strut replacement for my '04 Sentra SE-R (not SpecV). It has about 65k miles but the struts have worn down pretty badly due to horrible city streets. I had the dealer try to get me to replace the struts over a year and 10k mi ago, but I had some cash flow problems and figured I'd just tough it out longer. Now it's getting pretty annoying so I am starting to gear up to do the replacement.

I have a couple friends with more mechanic experience than me who have offered to help out, so I figured I'd go for it. While researching the replacement struts it occurred to me I could actually upgrade them, and that might be worth the money (especially with what I save over having the dealer or a retail mechanic do it for me).

I came across the Koni/Eibach FSD pro kit. That looks pretty optimal to me, as it handles potholes and bumps smoothly but does not sacrifice the sport suspension response.

However, I cannot determine if there is a version of these that would work for the '04 SE-R. I did call one place selling the Koni FSDs and they said they don't have it for the Sentra SE-R.

Does anyone know how to determine if there's an edition of this kit that would be compatible?

Alternatively, I would definitely look at another make of something similar if I could be sure it will fit.

Next down the line would just be "touring" shocks/struts (then at least I'd get the soft ride aspect, which is fine given that I don't hit the track or anything), and finally, OEMs or OEM replacement.

Any advice on this would be appreciated!

[06_blkout]

I'll do a little looking around but, what's your price range? Are coilovers out of the picture? I'll get back to you with some info, there's a couple shocks out there for us.

[glasnost]

I'd like to keep it under $1000 (of course at the upper end of that range I expect some damn nice results!)

No, coilovers aren't out. I don't really know enough to dismiss them offhand. What would the drawbacks be?

Someone on another forum recommended KYB GR-2's. I read about them and the dampers seem to have the properties I want (variable reaction; i.e. , softer ride for bumps, but retaining the sport suspension aspects).

Also, Koni "Yellows", and NISMO S-tunes.

I wouldn't mind a 1" drop or so (I believe the S-tune kit provides that), as long as it doesn't sacrifice the non-linear damping properties so I am not feeling city potholes quite as much. But that's hard to do with any drop, of course.

The yellows seem like a decent drop-in for just the shocks.

[06_blkout]

Yeah the yellows are great. There's really no drawbacks to coil overs though, especially ones with dampening control. You can get BC Coils for $1000 Shipped (They do free spring rate changing if you want it)

TDM Imports is a new brand that's out, theirs are like $750 shipped, I know 2 people that have them on their cars, both love them to death.

I think the S-Tunes did a 0.9" drop but aren't adjustable.

[glasnost]

Yeah the yellows are great. There's really no drawbacks to coil overs though, especially ones with dampening control. You can get BC Coils for $1000 Shipped (They do free spring rate changing if you want it)

TDM Imports is a new brand that's out, theirs are like $750 shipped, I know 2 people that have them on their cars, both love them to death.

I think the S-Tunes did a 0.9" drop but aren't adjustable.

Ok, thanks for the advice.

Someone on another board has offered used S-tunes with 10k mi on them; I don't know the price yet but that may be my best bet (I'm not looking for post-hoc adjustability). I'll check out the TDMs and BCs as well. Thanks!

[06_blkout]

No problem, my buddy used to have S-Tunes...they're an awesome upgrade if you're not worried about height. Good feel to the car, but doesn't kill your ride!

Good luck and post up some pictures of whatever you go with