The initial post asked for some comparative analysis on shocks.  The KYB's are
fine as a general replacement shock, but they are second-rate compared to the
more expensive konis and bilstiens when it comes to performance.  On a syncro,
the KYB stiffness (which is really "unresponsiveness") is more of a problem
because you cannot put KYB's up front.  Hence, the suspension is unbalanced and
the weak fronts are taxed even more.  It is thus even more desirable with a
syncro to have a responsive shock in the rear that does not shirk its work by
being "stiff" and transferring the burden to the front.

I suspect you sell dozens of the KYB's a week because they are cheap, not
because they are the best shock.  I got the 12-15 wholesale price from the
list.  I guess I should buy the bilstiens elsewhere?
steve

The Bus Depot wrote:

> > KYB's use cheaper materials and an inferior design.
> > This is why you can buy them for $25 each down here.  Wholesale I think
> > they're about $12-15.
>
> The Bilstien is probably a better shock than the KYB, but at about 4x the
> price it's not for everybody.  The KYB is widely considered to be the
> "affordable" shock of choice for the Vanagon. I sell dozens of sets a month,
> and have NEVER had a single complaint about their performance.  I use them
> myself on my '89 Westy, and prior to that on my '77 Westy, because frankly
> the Bilstiens (which I also sell) are too rich for my blood.  I think
> they're better than the original-equipment Boge shocks, for much less money,
> and with a lifetime warranty. They do stiffen up the suspension slightly,
> which improves handling on curves, etc., but I have never found the ride
> objectionably stiff; just slightly better controlled. I have only had two
> warranty claims on KYB's (one leaked; the other was in a rust-prone area and
> eventually rusted through), and had no difficulty at all in getting KYB to
> honor their lifetime warranty.  So if you have the bucks, buy the Bilstien.
> But if you can't afford them, I personally wouldn't hesitate to recommend
> the KYB's as a good overall performer and a cut above the Monroes, etc.
> typically sold by auto parts chains for about the same price.
>
> By the way, regarding a "wholesale" cost of $12-15, this person clearly has
> no factual basis for his statement.  Take it from someone who knows. I buy
> KYB's in very large quantity, and pay around $20 each for them (and sell
> them for about $6 more, at $26.95).  Smaller auto parts stores, which buy
> them in smaller quantities, pay over $25 for them.  Even my wholesale
> supplier, who literally buys truckloads of them at a time, can't get them
> for $12-15.  Not that there aren't some auto parts that are sold for 100%
> markup or more; FLAPS in particular regularly charge that kind of markup on
> specialized parts that aren't discretionary purchases.  For example, when
> you walk into an auto parts store and need a master cylinder, the odds are
> you need it right away and will pay whatever they ask, so they make their
> money on you.  But promotional items like shocks, brake pads, tune up parts,
> filters, etc. are typically sold at a lower markup due to their competitive
> nature.
>
> - Ron Salmon
>  The Bus Depot
>  http://www.busdepot.com
>  (215) 234-VWVW