Review: CRS Performance - Koni Definition kit

[Rioja John]

I’ve taken our van to CRS today and Steve and his men removed my standard shocks with lowered springs which gave a very crashy bumpy ride on our potholed roads, they fitted H&R coilovers and the driving difference is phenomenal, also when I got home I noticed that Steve had replaced one of my missing black wheel nut covers which I thought was great.
Thank you very much Steve and crew for the excellent job you’ve performed.

John.

 

[CRS Performance]

Hi John

Good to hear that you enjoyed the ride home , there is no doubt about this kit being the leader in its class , we have back to back tested it against everything there is, no exceptions . , There are many tech reasons for the results we get from all our offerings ( most of which are specially made to our specifications at the manufacturers )

One massive plus for this kit is the reliability , not often spoken about when comparing other kits but in 6 years of selling this we have had less than a hand full of genuine issues.

We have some really exciting news to share soon enough as the boss of Transporter conversions in UK comes on board with us . breaking news stand by .

 

[Edward146]

Took my bouncy untrained puppy of a t6 to Steve today and it left trained, compliant and ready to please. Another shout out for the superb service Steve and his team offer. I drove home with a stupid grin on my face.

 

[Jamessp]

I too have had the CRS Performance treatment.
When I got my van brand new 4 years ago I had VW lower it using their 30mm lowering kit. It was ok.
Sadly I kept losing the plastic fuel tank covers from the underside of my van (Really rubbish quality VW)
Ok. I was probably going too fast through puddles and pot holes on the country roads.
So. About 18 months ago (After replacing the underside of my van for the 3rd time) I decided to Swamperise my van ready for an apocalypse.
Now, I’m not gonna say who did the lift because I don’t want to give them bad press because they do do great interiors but they used an Eibach kit which raised it 35mm.
Eibach sell these kits with the recommendation that you can still use the standard shocks. BAD advice. If you’re going to lift the vehicle get good quality shocks and springs. CRS will steer you in the right direction.
Anyway. After a bit of thought and looking at my van which looked like it was higher at the front than the back (490 front - 470 back - Supposed to be the same right)) I logged into the forum to look for advice. This is something I do now whenever need advice as the members here are the best advice you can get. Way better than someone who just wants to sell you something. Found several threads recommending CRS so gave them a call. Steve instantly had several solutions.
I live in Essex. So 270 miles and 5 1/2 hours round trip later I have finally arrived home comfortably for the first time in ages. A trip which was well worth taking.
I have a 2020 SWB T30 Kombi. I don’t carry a whole load of weight. Just tools during the week and at the weekend my bikes. Tyres, 235/65/17 Falcon Wildpeak AT3.
Steve has fitted close to standard height springs (about 10mm lift) with Koni Special Active shocks. It still looks every bit the Swamper. It just drives so much better now. Smoother, steering is more responsive, quieter and overall much more relaxing on a long (did I mention I live in Essex) journey.
Thank you Steve. Another very satisfied customer.

 

[CRS Performance]

I too have had the CRS Performance treatment.
When I got my van brand new 4 years ago I had VW lower it using their 30mm lowering kit. It was ok.
Sadly I kept losing the plastic fuel tank covers from the underside of my van (Really rubbish quality VW)
Ok. I was probably going too fast through puddles and pot holes on the country roads.
So. About 18 months ago (After replacing the underside of my van for the 3rd time) I decided to Swamperise my van ready for an apocalypse.
Now, I’m not gonna say who did the lift because I don’t want to give them bad press because they do do great interiors but they used an Eibach kit which raised it 35mm.
Eibach sell these kits with the recommendation that you can still use the standard shocks. BAD advice. If you’re going to lift the vehicle get good quality shocks and springs. CRS will steer you in the right direction.
Anyway. After a bit of thought and looking at my van which looked like it was higher at the front than the back (490 front - 470 back - Supposed to be the same right)) I logged into the forum to look for advice. This is something I do now whenever need advice as the members here are the best advice you can get. Way better than someone who just wants to sell you something. Found several threads recommending CRS so gave them a call. Steve instantly had several solutions.
I live in Essex. So 270 miles and 5 1/2 hours round trip later I have finally arrived home comfortably for the first time in ages. A trip which was well worth taking.
I have a 2020 SWB T30 Kombi. I don’t carry a whole load of weight. Just tools during the week and at the weekend my bikes. Tyres, 235/65/17 Falcon Wildpeak AT3.
Steve has fitted close to standard height springs (about 10mm lift) with Koni Special Active shocks. It still looks every bit the Swamper. It just drives so much better now. Smoother, steering is more responsive, quieter and overall much more relaxing on a long (did I mention I live in Essex) journey.
Thank you Steve. Another very satisfied customer.

To be honest i dont think the blame should simply lie solely with the company who fitted it , they probably didn't know any better , The wholesale supplier / importer should know the limitation of what they sell , what it can do well and more importantly what it doesn't do well , ( if they haven't tested it properly in all scenarios they shouldn't sell these things !!

"One kit fits all" is something we see in the market all the time , this is made worse by the introduction of the T 6.1 and still suppliers insist "One fits ALL" ??? it doesn't work and this was a classic case . The 2 front shocks had been continually stretched to destruction by an excessive lift .
Glad we rescued another disheartened client

 

[Fivetones]

Looks good, but you must have a LOT of weight in there, that’s no where near a 40mm drop. Looks like it is riding at about 370-380 there. But appreciate that picture the van could be parked on uneven surface. What’s the distance from the centre of the wheel cap to arches front and back?

@Badgersuk the height you have looks great (and usable, I’m also a mountain biker). I’d be interested in this measurement too if possible?

 

[Badgersuk]

@Badgersuk the height you have looks great (and usable, I’m also a mountain biker). I’d be interested in this measurement too if possible?

Will go and measure, when i can find a flat bit of road - it actually looks lower in the original photo in the beginning of the thread, but what i do know is that CRS did the initial measurements so i know its a 30-40mm drop from standard as thats how they set it up and measured it! It was running -50mm rear and -60mm front on the "standard lowering springs" that the van came with from leighton that were classed as 40mm drop, but thats because its a heavier van anyway, being a LWB 4motion...

Thanks to the forum i've now also had my bank account emptied by @Dav-Tec on a full sound deadening, and a Gladen soudup package including rears - so the sterio now sounds amazing and its a super quiet drive. Made so much more of a difference on the sound deadening than i was expecting!

 

[Pasper2]

Yesterday morning I was becoming increasingly worried about an awful rattling noise that I could not locate on the OSR of the van. I had bought the vehicle with an H&R the kit already installed and was experiencing an extremely harsh ride especially over potholes and road deformations. I initially thought I had a broken spring and Steve at @CRS Performance said bring it up today and we will look at it. I had seen recommendations on here for his quality and advice so the 220 mile round trip was worth it. James found that the kit that had been installed was not exactly fitted correctly and the rear strut bolts were loose!! We discussed the various alternative options and I opted for the Koni definition kit. The ride height has raised a bit so it does not look as low as the original H & R but the ride difference is amazing. Small bumps are now swallowed up and it still has an great amount of support when cornering hard without body roll and its much quieter. Its actually so much more pleasurable to drive now.

The whole kit was replaced in just under 2 hours and Steve even offered a trade in on the H&R kit that came off the van. I cannot recommend their service highly enough, its rare to find customer service and genuine knowledge offered today to the level these guys give. I'm impressed.

 

[JOG]

And THAT is why @CRS Performance is so rated on this forum and beyond. They know what they’re doing and readily go out of their way to help their customers.

 

[Rocklord]

Going to add my experience with @CRS Performance . Went for the Koni kit. Now under 2m in height, way better ride and comfort, and looks the part now too. Held off adding my review until I’d driven it loaded. Totally worth the money - just wish I could have afforded it sooner. Better late than never.

Two tips to others - wheel alignment necessary afterwards and +£100pa more on insurance.

Just a quick question on insurance why is it more on insurance? Is it when you tell them you’ve modified the suspension?

 

[CJW]

Just a quick question on insurance why is it more on insurance? Is it when you tell them you’ve modified the suspension?

I asked CRS what I should say to the insurance company, the advice was that it was lowered by the amount specified. The insurance company adjusted the premium when I phoned to report the work done. Howdens. I believe it was as you suggest - a modification beyond a straight servicable part swap.

 

[bp_porcaro]

Thumbs Up for CRS from me.
T6 - T32 - 2016 89,000 miles, failed MOT this morning at 9:00am with both rear springs fractured near the top.
Rang CRS and they fitted me in same day for full set of Koni Definition and 40mm lower.
Drove from Liverpool to Cannock fitted and back at the MOT garage for 4:00pm to confirm re-test and now have a PASS MOT.
Great customer service from the CRS team and well happy with the new suspension. I had been thinking about getting it done for a while now but waited until OEM kit let me down, so the broken springs kicked off the process.

 

[SparkyT6]

Steve and his son and all at CRS, thank you. From start to finish, the advice, approach, service and finish product, cannot be faulted. I have a T6.1 transporter conversion, the conversion carried out by Spartan Campers, Coventry. The base van is a T28 150ps DSG transmission. Spoke with Steve via the forum, this guy knows his business, although unlike a lot of people in the know within the industry, no bullshit, no putting me down for not being knowledgeable, just honest guidance, that in turn saved me money, whilst the end product is just sublime.

Steve gave me three options with a range of expense, finally went with T32 rear springs with a final 15mm spacer on the rear to level out the van. T32 anti roll bars front and back, I sourced these from eBay, from a suitable dinner with 400 miles use. (Ironically the chap who sold the bars to be had CRS fit H n R bars to his) finally Komi active suspension struts.

OMG, the drive is so car like, save there is no nose dive on braking, you don’t end up in the passengers lap on hard cornering, whilst the road noise is noticeable reduced, (need to change the cheap tyres initially fitted)

The best £1,250 spent, Thanks Chris.

 

[M4rc]

Another very satisfied customer here! Second Van I’ve taken to Steve @CRS Performance. Had H&R kit fitted as recommended. Steve is a total gentleman his son and staff are too..
Well worth the 220 mile round-trip. Must say the drive home was better than the drive down.. 5 star service! Best upgrade to my van to date

 

[Rossy25]

I enjoyed my drive home. Smoother, less sway and just more confidence on the road.
I survived Steve’s coffee too!!
But I have the wrong tyres
View attachment 237394

-3 springs?

 

[MartinMc]

At the risk of labouring the point here, Steve and the team at CRS are one of few suppliers that more than live up to the hype. I went today with an open mind and cheque book and they came in under the budget estimate because extra parts I thought were likely to need attention were all fine and they didn’t waste a penny of my money. I had coil overs, poly pushes and H&R roll bars, everything was set up to perfection achieving my outline brief. If you are looking for a job to be done properly just talk to these guys, you will be glad you did.

 

[CRS Performance]

Thank You MartinMc . It is a point that needs to be laboured in all honesty , Some of the moves we see pulled on unsuspecting clients is scary !!

Parts not needed, replaced just to bump up revenue is the most common . We have seen clients spending thousands on kits that they didnt need or actually want , but completely miss sold systems .

 

[drays]

@CRS Performance - what are the key differences between the special actives and the definition kit, Steve? The special actives have frequency response damping and are suitable for 40mm drop - are the definition shocks more like the sports shocks, and what size drop do they offer?

 

[CRS Performance]

Quite different technologies between "Active " and "special" Koni dampers .


In a lowered van the "special short" gives the best result
In standard height vans or Caravelle lowering +- 20 mm the "active" is great and can function properly .
Definition kit is best at 40 to 50 mm
All KONI Transporter shocks are Dual tube and that is the better technology for comfort, the Bilstein Mono tube style dampers are renowned for their firmness and this is a direct result of HIGH gas pressure that a MONO tube shock needs to function correctly .
Koni only build dampers at standard length , the Definition dampers are made specifically for us and they are much shorter ,
To be honest we sell more Active dampers for other vehicles, IE Motor Homes , Sprinters, Crafters and Ducato Not transporters so much unless they are standard height .

The definition kit has made its name in the transporter market and we sell approx 30 to 40 sets a month, the reviews are brilliant and speak for themselves .

 

[drays]

@CRS Performance ok brilliant, thanks Steve - looks like the definition kit is the way to go for my Caravelle.