Just trying to price up changing shocks and springs on my newly acquired 20v and would like to drop about 35mm.

Eibach springs would be my fist choice and shouldn't be to much of a problem but trying to find front shocks is proving difficult.

Anyone using bilstein b6 shocks on a 20v na? I really would like new struts and not just inserts as I think that would require welding?

Are you sure? You seem to have found a good, original example of a near 20 year old car. Would you not prefer to keep it as near original as possible? A strut brace is worth adding (dramatically stiffens the front structure, improves the ride quality and tightens up the handling) as are the best modern tyres but it is just a 140ish bhp car that rode a bit hard to start with. Making it harder and lower is not going to achieve much apart from costing more money and reducing its value.

Agree, lowering it will reduce the ride quality dramatically not alone causing issues with speed bumps etc.

Strut brace and an uprated rear ARB if you can find one, improve the brakes, these improvements will make positive differences

Mine runs on pretty standard but good quality discs and pads (ATE with FIAT front pads) and they seem pretty good now that the rears work properly again (long story but the problem ended up being failing hoses). I'm running 205/50 16 Goodyear F1s in the summer on 20VT wheels. In what way can one improve the the brakes?

Depends on what you expect and the purpose of improvement. Check your suspension and geometry first. If it is OK then use quality DOT 4 brake fluid with high boiling point like Millers 300+, Motul RBF660, Castrol SRF (don't use ATE Racing it's shite). If that won't be enough, you can change your brake pads to Ferodo DS2500 or EBC Yellow Stuff, which will be more than enough for so-called fast road and occasional track days.

I should of made that more clearer, improve brakes ie use quality products as Neil and Dean have discussed above.

Ok well can someone recommend a decent standard setup? The current suspension has been on from new so after 18 years I'm sure it needs renewing. I guess most are going say OEM but would like so opinions please.

Once you have the basics sorted and you can drive it, see how it drives. Mine is a daily driver and not really pampered. Work is not far away and I have 2 other cars to split the mileage so the FIAT is only on about 53k miles now and is 19 years old. Most of it is original and is still pretty taught. Apart from maybe bushes etc, you might not need to replace much. Ask the specialist you are taking it to first and see what he recomends actually doing. My S-Type is also 16 years old, similar mileage and is also fine. My newest car is a 2011 XKR with 15k on it. The old two don't feel old! There might really not be much to do.

Also if you are keeping it standard, why not OEM. The engineers at FIAT selected the parts that suited best and did thousands of miles of testing. Why should an off-the shelf item designed to basically do the same for many different cars be better. Chances are it will be a worse match.

refreshing to hear, all round, I think!

I guess I'll just wait for the full checkup before making any decisions. You advice sounds promising Neil, if the shocks and springs get the all clear I can concentrate on other areas.

I've got standard springs with Bilstein B6s on my 20VT & I like it. Maybe slightly firmer ride than standard but not too stiff. Like others have said, I wouldn't recommend lower/stiffer springs at all. But whatever dampers you choose the most important thing is to renew all the bushes and top mounts, which will make a huge difference.