Current FFR Bilstein Shock Issue!

[Stoney FFR]

I just replied with a long post and it's being held for Mod approval. What did I do to cause that?

Edit, it looks like short ones immediately post..

Stoney

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by Stoney FFR

I'm sorry if my first post here on ClubCobra stirred the pot and was a bad first post.

Not such a bad post, when you consider the positive outcome.
It could have gone bad, since often brand-related controversy quickly causes the troops to take sides with no middle ground. That happens with all the brands...interesting human nature.

But it got the attention in the right places.

Originally Posted by Stoney FFR

I just replied with a long post and it's being held for Mod approval. What did I do to cause that?

Edit, it looks like short ones immediately post..

Stoney

We have a pretty complex anti-spam-post algorithm running on the forum...your long post had a pattern that is often seen in spam posts, with the text and hotlink patterns, hence the filter "trapped" you until a Mod could clear it.

Good luck.... and have fun.

[Jamo]

I agree...not a bad first post at all. Rather dynamic in fact. Ron and I were watching the thread from early on. Some complained out of a defensive posture, but it turned out constructive in a good way for the brand.

In case there's any question, the "first post" reference later in the thread had to do with another initial poster's personalized comment.

[jmimac351]

I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. Many people at ffcobra are reading into the Pied Piper I mean Dave's comments what they want them to mean. I'm hoping maybe I'll score some new shocks for my Fusion. I think they may have managed to a certain price point a little too closely with this. This shock thing should never, ever happen unless you hit something. I bought Gordon Levy's Konis last year and would have anyway since the spring rates I want to run aren't right for the shock supplied with the kit. And, because of the breakage issue.

TexasLurker, for the record ENTDOC is not an OB-GYN.

[Stoney FFR]

Wow! The mood suddenly changed. Looks like the solution is suppose to cost everyone another $140.00. I haven't decided where I stand on that solution.

http://www.ffcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190574

Stoney

[PANAVIA]

People have issues they want to discuss and shed light on , or gain visibility into --and some people cant handle that.

What is the current solution to the broken shock problem<>?

[TButtrick]

Not trying to bust your stones mr. bruce but your original statement sounded more conclusive than just opinion. I thought maybe you were on to something. I installed the SAI mod last season and it's a nice upgrade. Bump steer is a whole other issue that I need to address to make things just right.

[Tony Radford]

I always wonder when someone makes the statement that a manufacturer is going to supply a quantity of their product at a price well below their cost of manufacturing. Being in Marketing, I can't construct a good reason out of all this that makes sense for them to do that. It sounds like they're already the "Plan B", even at full price. Could there be some subsidizing going on?

[jhv48]

I think Koni is supplying shocks at a below cost price in order to solidify their exclusive relationship with FFR for the future.

Bilstein is covering it's collective butt by claiming there is no defect in their shock absorber but they will take it back and make it beefier for a $35 fee.
If they did it for free, it would make them look liable. This way, they have deniability.

That looks like lawyering up to me.

And FFR doesn't have the $$$$$ needed to recall all Bilstein shocks and replace them with the stouter Konis for free.

Rock, meet hard place!

[jmimac351]

I agree, I think when Dave immediately pulled the Bilsteins and replaced them with Konis, Bilstein knew they'd lost the business. Why would they pour more money down that hole, "admit" an error, etc.? Unfortunately, I think when he did that it guaranteed there would be costs that someone would have to pay.

Last year I spent $1800 on Gordon Levy's Konis for the performance gain and to avoid this entire issue. I am currently working with him to sort through a fitment issue with the rear that I haven't been able to sort out... it's always something. This shock thing is something that can never happen and I think it's been an expensive and painful lesson learned for those guys. I just hope it doesn't injure the company badly because I'd like to see that Dick Smith version soon.

Unless I am mistaken, I think Dave has agreed to pay for the Bilstein upgrade now.

[Tails]

I'm still a newbie over there so I haven't been around that long. I don't know about all the past issues with the Bil shocks. I wanted the konis right off the bat so I got the complete kit. Do I love the build and the car so far? Yep sure do. However I'm not like the majority of the others over there that are addicted to the koolaid. Does FFR make a great car? Yes. However it's not the end all be all to component cars. I'm aware of that. Over on the ffcobra site I bite my tongue alot cause I know how that place is run. Pretty much a close resemblance to a dictatorship. Not how I choose to run some other forums I mod on.

Having worked in a few performance shops in my short life I have a decent grasp of how to handle similar issues like this. When something comes up, multiple times, you have to do a little research into what is going on. If something is breaking as dangerous as a shock at highways speeds then you need to act, RIGHT AWAY. Not blame it soley on user error, print out some docs on how to install it correctly, and hope the situation goes away. Am I saying they need to give away upgraded shocks for free? Nope. However make it a deal with the customer at the beginning of the problem. Not who knows how many months or years down the road when you decided to go "Hey looks like there is a problem".

I will say kudos to FFR to making a great kit. Without them I wouldn't be able to build my dream car...


Tails

[Stoney FFR]

Unless I am mistaken, I think Dave has agreed to pay for the Bilstein upgrade now.

NOPE, everything is still on HOLD. I gave up and bought Konis. Once FFR offered to sell them below FFR cost I decided to buy them. Before the price was reduced I couldn't bring myself to reward FFR and pay full price for the Koni shocks. While I'm not thrilled about having to spend the extra money, I'm glad that I got out from under the Bilsteins and didn't have to reward FFR for selling me a kit with <IMHO> poorly engineered front suspension.

[ICBomber90]

I'm just fed up with whole situation, I was never OK with the zip ties/washer solution to the Bilstein coil over set up. So I decided to throw another $500 at the Cobra and switch to Koni on all 4 corners. I had a set 12 coil front springs that needed to be replaced anyhow,(earlier recall) so they further reduced the front Koni kit price. I figured to upgrade my suspect Bilstein shocks would have cost me at least $140 + shipping, I would cut my losses and improve my Cobra at the same time. I also should be able to sell off the remaining coil over parts at a later time (there is no problem with the rears).

I believe FFR should have removed the Bilstein coil over set up long ago (when washer/zip ties were sent out), then to let this boil sit and fester on their IMHO great reputation. One of my favorite saying applies here "Never provide the steel in which they can beat you up with".

Pat

[ENTDOC]

or "if you are stuck in a ditch, ask for a ladder, not a shovel"

[jmimac351]

Originally Posted by Stoney FFR

NOPE, everything is still on HOLD. I gave up and bought Konis. Once FFR offered to sell them below FFR cost I decided to buy them. Before the price was reduced I couldn't bring myself to reward FFR and pay full price for the Koni shocks. While I'm not thrilled about having to spend the extra money, I'm glad that I got out from under the Bilsteins and didn't have to reward FFR for selling me a kit with <IMHO> poorly engineered front suspension.

Stoney, has something changed from when Dave indicated in this post that FFR will pick up this cost if the Bilstein upgrade is launched as described?

http://www.ffcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=193060

[Stoney FFR]

Originally Posted by jmimac351

Stoney, has something changed from when Dave indicated in this post that FFR will pick up this cost if the Bilstein upgrade is launched as described?

http://www.ffcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=193060

The key words are "IF the Bilstein upgrade is launched as described." As of today nothing has been launched and the last post by Factory Five Racing (Dave Smith) addressing the Bilstein shock issues have been removed from the FFCOBRA forum. I hate to speculate, but I can't say that I'm feeling very confident about the situation.

Stoney

[jmimac351]

Stoney, it sounds like you're implying there is a conspiracy about that info on the other forum. I'm not sure what you mean in this instance because the link I posted still works and those pages still exist. Those posts are locked and given the 20 post per minute average over there they are many pages back. There's no question that Dave's going to have trouble getting it done if Bilstein doesn't want to play ball. Bilstein knows they lost the business and has no interest in participating - that's my guess. I think he's trying to get it done but he blew his wad when he immediately quarantined those shocks and went to Konis in all kits. If there's one thing I've learned about cars it's that if there is a problem you know about you'd better fix it soon and right because it'll bite you in the rear end eventually. Man is this a good example of that. They really stepped in do-do...

[GTA]

I held back on saying anything intill I felt nothing was being done about the problem with the shocks. When I finally went on the forum and said, I felt I should'nt have to buy a new set of shocks becouse FFR sold me a set that they said were designed for my car. I also said I was out of work and did'nt have the extra $500.00 for new shocks.I was told by a member that maybe I could'nt afford this hobby. I've spent 30K in this car. I think some of the guy have forgotten that there is a wide range of people whom build these cars, and the builds go from low budget donor to high end works of art.As of now FFR has not stepped up to the plate. Guys shocks are still breaking,and FFR is replacing them with Koni for free.If the Bilsteins are so safe then why is'nt FFR replacing them with Bilsteins? I love the car, but I'm very dissapointed with FFR.I wonder when the thread will be closed? Roger

[Stoney FFR]

Originally Posted by jmimac351

Stoney, it sounds like you're implying there is a conspiracy about that info on the other forum.

I don't believe there is and I'm certainly not trying to imply there is any sort of conspiracy on the other forum.

Like others have mentioned, I hate that all of this has taken so long, but I still have hope that FFR will get all of this sorted out.

Stoney

[kris-kincaid]

I can't believe that Bilstein is the problem. They make nice shocks. The Shelby spec racers use Bilsteins and they've never broken. I thought Pro-Shocks on FFR's broke also? Shelby has been using Pro-Shocks for several years and never had a failure. I have a hard time believing Bilstein and Pro-Shock just sends all their defective shocks to FFR and the rest of the world gets the good stuff.