To cut a long story short, i’m planning on switching from Bilstein & Eibach suspension back to standard.

So seeing as I am getting a MOT done on my Ford KA this morning, I get the original garage that did the work to get a quote from Fiat. Speaking to the mechanic this morning, apparently the front springs are discontinued as are a set of shocks (although I can’t remember whether it was front or rear).

I was under the impression that these parts are still available, is this not the case ?!

You'll get them from Steve at AA, or maybe Joe at FCCS.

well I spoke to Steve @ AA...

he said that they only keep the std front springs now , no rears (Can't remember now whether my local garage thought the springs were only available on the fronts or the rears now ). Also he has no Fiat OE Shock Absorbers, only Monroe .. which I don't know if Monroe would be the same ride/handling quality as standard. I assumed he just wasn't stocking them, not that they were discontinued parts ?!

Would Joe @ FCSS stock new stuff though? I thought he only had second hand stuff.

I planned on getting a complete standard set fitted by Rog when I next have the car serviced next march but my patience with the current set is wearing very thin and don't think I will get the time off to get up to Essex and back.


Seriously annoyed at Fiat

Hmm, that is seriously frustrating! Sod's Law, that's the ten years up that they are "supposed" to supply parts for, and demand has obviously been high enough to empty the warehouse. You wouldn't mind if they stuck them on back order and did another batch, but I have my doubts.

Things will only get worse, trust me......

I have Monroe from Steve at AA on my car. They are fine.

I don't know whether they can supply directly, but these guys come highly recommended (I'll be using them for my kit's springs): http://www.dfaulknersprings.com/specials.htm

Neil

Sedicivalvole had a FULL suspension refresh recently... may be worth speaking to him.. however he may have taken the last of the parts ....

Just got off the phone to Fiat Portsmouth. They gave me the following:

Front Shocks - £142.42 + VAT each
Rear Shocks - No Longer Available

Front Springs - £78.32 + VAT each
Rear Springs - £71.20 + VAT each

£583.88 & you'd still need rear shocks. Maybe contact Nigel for his suspension, his Coupe had ultra low milage so the parts should be in better condition than most 2nd hand parts.

Try Joe's group buy for lowering springs - where to go if you don't want to be lowered is another question... ,

Tim

https://www.ecp-auto-onderdelen.nl/voertuig/fiat/coup/9567-2-0-20_v-turbo-kat

Seem to have dampers. Check:

onderstel > schokdempers > schokdemper

Note that the original dampers are nothing impressive. Monroe are just as good.

thanks guys .. this could be interesting!

Tim, i'm already on Eibachs and lowered .. I want to go back to a comfy ride of standard components

http://www.onderdelendirect.nl/fiat/coupe-fa-175/07760/schokdempers

Also have the Gabriels, cheaper I think. Fronts are more expensice.

How close do people think I can get to a standard suspension if I keep the Bilstein shocks?

Rog told me the Bilsteins have a faster rebound so if Monroe are as close to standard as I can get then ...

Yep, and it is a real worry for current owners needing their Coupé's for everyday transport such as myself...to the extent that I have been questioning the sanity of keeping my Plus since April! (and haven't spent much on further enhancements & toys either as a result). I guess it's OK if you are in the enviable position of having a Coupé as weekend fun only or garage queen and hence it doesn't matter if it's out of action for a while awaiting the sourcing of a difficult to find part but not everyone is in that position, least of all me!

Many choices for standard height KYB shocks here: http://www.buypartsby.co.uk/kyb-sho...l=Coupe&sub=&eng=2&year=1997

Have a 190000 mile Toyota Hiace as daily transport . The original clutch is just on it's last legs, but original everything else - just tyres, brake pads and other routine maintenance.

The Coupe bounces more than the Toyota, so it IS time to change the springs (and a barnacle widget will be fitted soon - just love the toys )

Tim

10 years, that's how long Fiat make parts for their models.
Italians eh..
I remember 1995 when Fiat told me their Argenta-parts (mine a '85) would dry up..

In the old days (Fiat/Lancia/Alfa) they only needed to keep parts for 10 months . They knew the cars would self-destruct long before you needed any mechanical spares.

In the early 80s I bought a 30 month-old Lancia Beta from my company for £300 - the holes in the bodywork were amazing. I could put water in the radiator without opening the bonnet When I collected the car you could have flossed your teeth with the dipstick - not a drop of oil in the engine. Had 6 months great driving with this car (wonderful 2L engine when oiled) and after using shed loads of Isopon and spray paint sold her for £1200. Bet she only lasted 2 - 3 years top whack after that before she would have dissolved. Has anyone seen a Lancia Beta recently? Wonderful car, but made from pasta .

Sorry for the mild rant, at least the Coupes don't rot like the old Italian cars. However as there were only about 75000 Coupes ever built it is unlikely that Fiat are going to keep parts available for ever. Commercially it is completely unviable. It is up to us to ensure that parts are available through individual manufacturers, cars being broken, etc.. I have managed to source some electrical parts through my local Ferrari garage (much better than the local Fiat main dealer).

Let's keep the breed alive, but it will be hard work!

Tim

I think I can get the shocks here

Shop4Parts

I can get the springs as well hopefully..

anyone able to confirm these definetly are the right original parts?

I can't remember if I've said this already but PM Nigel and ask him if he thinks the Billy shocks are much harder than std ones. I'm sure I've read a post from him saying that there's very little difference in the shocks and that more of the harshness of the ride is because of the spring.

I think it would be worth you trying a standard set of springs on the Billies before you go and splash out on another set of shocks.

I've read people here before say billies on standard springs gives a more refined ride (like a german saloon - whatever that is like!).

I reckon 007 is right here. Duncan, have a read of Cosmographs Handling Summary.

yeah, i'll have a think about keeping the shocks. I thought that the springs would determine the harder ride but as Rog has said to me, the bisteins have a faster rebound and going back to brand new standard components will give an amazing ride quality.

The information i've got from the springs are that they are Kilen.

20vt part numbers:

Front: KC12154
Rear: KC12126

I've had a look at ePer but can't match the spring descriptions to any of the above, anyone able to confirm those are the right numbers as doing some googling i've come up with a website here that stocks the Kilens springs

I got the Kilen info from a seller on ebay.

That was the post I was looking for. Written in March 2006, that can't be right.

Setup: Bilstein B6 Sports shocks/ Standard springs
Ride: Very compliant. Its a bit like someone has put 3"'s of rubber between the road and and your tyres. Small bumps are just driven through. Overall, the ride almost feels softer than standard until you hit larger undulations then you feel the stronger dampers doing their work.
Handling: The softer feel makes you think its going to roll, but when you push on, it grips, then grips some more, really progressive. Obviously more body roll than the coilover setups but you can feel what you are doing and your limits rather than worrying that the front is suddenly going to break traction.

Verdict: Overall Im pleased with what Ive seen so far. There is no doubt that the Bilsteins try to cover all bases and when used with standard springs are a triumph of compromise between ride and handling. I think its likely that those who are used to a real stiff sporty ride wont like this setup as its some way off the more go kart feel of coilovers. For those making the transition from the standard setup, you will love them as they handle better and the ride quality is far superior. It sort of gives the Coop an air of a German quality saloon.

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hmmm, not too fussed about the handling, just want to get a nice smooth ride. not convinced just switching out the springs will do it though

Obviously money can't be an issue here so for what it's worth (an extra £27 tracking) you might as well try a std set of springs before splashing out on new shocks. Could save you £400 on std shocks if you're happy.

Duncan, shiney shoes has a set of standard springs going if need be in for sale section

yeah, already spoken to Matt thanks.

They're a 55k set so passed on them.

I've just bought a brand new set of OEM rear springs from Rob40 for £50 delivered

The rest i'll probably have to source brand new

i tried loads of combinations and found bilsteins with standard springs suited me best............more body control,less pitching/roll and that `wolly` feeling you get sometimes on standard springs is gone,and not too crashy, I hated it with bilsteins and eibachs.....but then could be because i also run 18" wheels too..

So at the end of the day, is the problem always going to be a harsh and potentially crashy ride with anything that lowers the height of the car, be it only Eibach springs or coilovers? And I thought that Eibachs and Monroe shocks would be better? Is there any way to get that lowered look without suffering a harsh ride? Sorry, gone off topic onto another "what suspension" thread...oops