Current FFR Bilstein Shock Issue!

Stoney FFR · #1 (**permalink**) 09-30-2008, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTA

From the way he was talking it sounds like FFR is about to start lining up their lawyers. I have the feeling we will be hearing somthing pretty soon.

Roger I have a feeling that Bilstein could afford to fight/delay FFR legal action for years and years. It's sad but I don't think that would be a realistic option for FFR.

Questor · #2 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 04:56 PM

It looks like Bilstein is playing hard ball. They will not be doing any repairs/upgrades to the shocks.

convincor · #3 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 06:32 PM

At the price there selling the Koni's for, just buy them and move on.
I did it last year when they had the recall. not that I have a money tree in the back yard, but If I couldn't scrape up $600 to through at the car I shouldn't own it. Just My opinion..

marky · #4 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 07:19 PM

So the point now becomes that we have all paid for "High quality Bilstein coilovers" in our kit which we are now not supposed to use.

Either we pony up to replace their bad product and bad engineering or put the car up on blocks. To me, this is not right.

So much for the mighty speaches from Dave Smith, they have come up with nothing other than coilovers at their cost...I didn't see this coming.

Maybe we will all get bigger zipties and more washers!

Maricopa · #5 (**permalink**) 10-01-2008, 11:06 PM

I'm pretty disgusted that it took them so long to figure out that going down a size in shocks was a bad idea and just 'might' be part of the problem

but I don't want them put out of business because of it. Hopefully something can be worked out that is fair to the customer and doesn't bankrupt the company.

John McMahon · #6 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 05:54 AM

I love the latest announcement from FFR stating that Bilstein will work directly with the customer to have the shocks rebuilt at $35 per shock.

In effect, this basically takes FFR out of the loop regarding any responsibility in this fiasco. If I were a customer, I would not let FFR off the hook on this one. They approved the shock and included it in all their kits. They may not have designed the shock, but they should have tested it to ensure it worked well within the geometry of the suspension. Bad bidness in my eyes.

JMHFO.

Questor · #7 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by convincor

At the price there selling the Koni's for, just buy them and move on.
I did it last year when they had the recall. not that I have a money tree in the back yard, but If I couldn't scrape up $600 to through at the car I shouldn't own it. Just My opinion..

Well, mine should be here any day, but it would be nice to have an option to recoup some of the money spent twice.

convincor · #8 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 07:29 AM

Agree. I'm not saying I think it's right, but I'm not going to park the car because of it. As is, I'm now buying a third set. What they "engineered" for the rear with the pin drive IRS the shocks are to short. At ride height there at full extension. So I'm know buying two longer shocks for the rear. atleast I'll be able to sell a pair and recoupe some of the cost and maybe help someone out that needs a pair for the front or std. width IRS..

jhv48 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 09:45 AM

This horse is being beaten to death.

Yes, the Bilsteins are too fragile for these cars.

No, neither Bilstein nor FFR knew they would eventually break.

This issue has been known by FFR customers for years.

If you own a FFR roadster with these shocks, you had to make a decision, when you first found out about this problem, to either gamble that it wouldn't happen to you or buy upgraded shocks.
Once you became aware of the problem, it became YOUR responsibility to address it on your personal car.

Whether you buried your head in the sand or not was your decision.
Personally, I bought Gordon's adjustable Konis and springs (about $1800) for the better ride qualities and the peace of mind, and never looked back.

I was chastised heavily by the FFR forum members months ago when I suggested they do the same.

The majority jumped on the band wagon that the shocks were safe and that I was playing Chicken Little based on a couple of Bilstein failures.

My how things have changed.

Am I pissed that FFR is now offering their Koni shocks for a fraction of the price that I paid for Gordon's?

Nope. This is a race car. I expected to make repairs and upgrades continually. No big deal. And also, the Bilstein's rode like crap!

mrmustang · #10 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhv48

This is a race car.

FFR sells it and labels it as a "race car" for liability purposes only. The only real race car FFR markets correctly is the Spec Racer.

Ok, you can now beat that statement to death if you like.

Oh, and by the way, FFR's customers have been dealing with the Bilstein shock issue for a longer than they should have. I have data going back over two years, TWO YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thankfully my current FFR (yes the one for sale in my signature line) does not have Bilsteins installed, or I'd be yanking it off the market and letting it sit collecting dust until replacements could be sourced.

Bill S.