I though I would share my impressions of the these shocks to help others make decissions etc re: which to buy. This is all very subjective, but every one spends alot of time on the high end shocks and the reviews are mixed. These are mid range/inexpensive shocks, available locally and quickly, were quite reasionable (aprox $125.00 for all 4, I know I cold get a better price online, but supporting a very helpful local parts store is also invaluable).
Installed these shocks on my car (220)last weekend. I know they are not the best but I thought I would pass along my imppressions. I like a softer ride so these shocks are good for that, I really don't want performance shocks as I do some pretty long runs. I would say that the fronts are just about perfect, the car is tracking very nicely, even in hard fast bumpy corners. I drive the same route everyday so it has been easy comparing. I imagine a stiffer shock might be better, but it is hard to say, the suppleness really helps keep the rubber on the road. For the record I drive hard, generally push till I feel/hear some slipping. Incidentally, car is very neutral re: under/oversteer. I don't quite know why, but with the set up I have now, i'm pusing pretty hard before anything slips, and then it seems to be all 4 wheels at the same time.
Since the car is tracking nicely it is hard to complain about the rears, but doing a bounce test, I would say the rears are maybe a little to soft, I kind of feel the car would feel more stable if the rear shocks were a little stiffer in both directions, of course then my rear might start slipping, giving me a little oversteer, which I prefer.
On the highway the overall feel is GOOD. I feel much more comfortable at high speeds. On the way back from the country sunday, 85 mph in close quarters felt fine, very stable and predictable. I just can't help feeling that a stiffer rear would be more comforting.
In conclusion, I imagine that these shocks are probably as good as it gets for a reasonable amount of $. Most likely given advances in tech, this was a good as the damping was when they rolled out the factory, and possibly better. I would love to try a car with bilsteins or other to compare. For now, I am happily, throwing my little wagon into the curves, crossing speed bumps without bottoming out, and generally having a good time. I hope this helps, Patrick.

I've found as well that wagons are sprung stiffer at the rear... and the suspension is completely different than sedans. Wagons just ain't as soft, nor do they handle as well. They are pickup trucks with built in toppers. THat said, I love them.

I'll put my vote up for KYB gas-adjust... bang for the buck, they are great. I *really* like them in my 1800s with oversized tires, stiff bushings...

In the 122 wagon.. yea. I don't mind toting a couple hundred pounds of whatever in the back. Smoother ride, and better grip in the snow and ice.

--
-Matt I ♥ my ♂

OK here is an update. with weight in the back the looseness of the rear goes away, handling remains the same, very neutral. This week I used my 220 to haul tools to work, and found I prefered the ride to empty. My conclusion is that the 220 where designed with a load in mind as as a result handle better with soem weight (200? lbs in the rear) Car is still (more) level witht he weight in. Feels tighter, more luxurious ride (less boucy).
My conclusion, 220 are oversprungn in the rear.
The KYB I purchased are a good/very good all round shock.
One of the other reasons I do not run a stiffer shock is that i do not want to overstrain other suspension/drive components.
I also believe that these cars were well designed from the get go and a stiffer shock is messing with a very good set up.
Hope this helps the budget minded, hard driving among us.
Ciao, Patrick.
p.s. running pretty standard midrange tires, nothing special.

I've had KYB Gas Adjusts on my sedan and wagons for the past twenty years or so; I finally splurged and put a set of Bilstein HD on the front of the wagon... all I can say is that I'm sincerely sorry I didn't do it twenty years ago; if I had known how much better of a ride, and handling the Bilseins gave, I would have been willing to live off ramen noodles for three months to have been able to afford them back then. The Bilstein's make my car feel better than my Dad's 5 yr old Mercedes
I have three words for the KYB's... Harsh, Harsh, Harsh; yeah, they're better handling than a set of mushy Monroes, but that's about it. On the wagon rear, they are okay; a lot more give than in the front, and they do okay with loads. In the front they make the car bounce over rough surfaces; it feels like there is a block of rubber instead of a shock absorber... ughh! I'm putting Bilsteins on my sedan ASAP.

Bill

weird, all I can say is maybe they did a redesign. These shocks are anything but harsh. Maybe we are talking about different KYBs, the shock #s I posted were what i purchased. I have read various threads over the years where people found the bilsteins too stiff, go figure?!? Maybe we are comparing apples and oranges if we do not specify the part #s. Anyhow, for the record, could you give me the parts #s for the shocks you have that are handling so well? Tahnks, PATRICK

did you get the gas-adjusts or the gr-2's?, i keep hearing the gas adjusts are to harsh on the wagon and have yet to hear anything about gr-2's on a 122 wagon. for the price they might be a cheap alternative.

I got the gas adjusts and do not find them harsh, if anything not harsh enough, especially in the rear.

the new 220 i picked up came with what look like new gas-adjusts and with stock springs i find them nice, not harsh at all. maybe with rear overloads there would be an issue, so far so good. we'll see with more load in the rear, i suspect it will get better.

Was your testing done "driver only"? Perhaps you could update us at some point after a run or two with passengers and, say, an extra 100lb in the back.
Thanks for the well considered report.

Good point. low speed driving was driver only, high speed with one passenger (actually 2 but thier combined weight is maybe 175 lbs). Next long run will be with more weight I guess I'll modify post then...