My car's aproaching 90k on the orginal shocks, so no doubt they have seen better days. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

I'd like to upgrade my suspension, and my car will almost be exclusivly used on the road rather than track days, so I'd like some advise if possible <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Is the following going to leave me with a good usable road car thats a fair bit better handeling than standard:

Suspension refresh kit (top mounts etc), new front wishbones, strut brace, and Bilstein shocks all round, but keep the orginal springs.

Comments / advise would be welcome - I'm presuming springs don't wear out <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> or would it be a good idea to replace them too?

As I mentioned in a separate thread, a friend of mine had the best suspension setup I have felt on a coop.

He had the KONI dampers and springs (-30mm) all round. They are adjustable as well (on the car). He also had poweflex bushes. It felt very secure.

The KONIs are £350 plus fitting. But well worth it.

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

patrick,

you have listed exactly what you need for possibly the best road compromise of handling without craashiness.

bilsteins are expensive, but you'll be happy with that setup.

if you want something firmer, then add eibach springs to them, lowering the car too.

if you springs are in good condition (no rust) then no need to replace them.

The Bilsteins are good fit and forget shocks, and I was impressed with them in Highwaymans car, when on track.

I still prefer the adjustability of the Konis, and as mentioned, for £350 including lowering springs they are a bargain. The ride in my old Coupe was very good with these, and I found a good compromise set up, which was good enough for 2800 miles on a mixture of roads, and fine for the Nurburgring. Clare didn't moan once about the ride <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Agree with Rog, Bilstein on standard springs will give the best ride quality and improved handling over OE.

All lowering whether it be stiffer/uprated springs or coilovers will reduce ride quality to some degree its just a question of striking the right balance that you are happy with.

does anyone know the best place to buy bilsteins? is there a specific range they do for the coop?

bilstein sportline i think are the coops best option. but your looking at around £500 for a full set.

I bought mine from alternative autos , give Steve a call and he'll sort you out.
IMO you won't get a better ride than that setup.

Thanks Dave <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />!

I would agree with Jimbo, try Steve at AAs, as he will almost certainly be the cheapest around, and you know that you will get what you need as he knows his Coupe <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.

Phil

Steve doesnt recommend the Bilsteins though in fairness. He reckoned the standard Sachs/Boge ones were nearly as good for a lot less money when I spoke to him last year.

Sorry to jump in , does Alternative Auto have an e-mail address ? The form on the page does not work <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

have only heard good things about bilstein/eibach combination so think am going to go for those. got to better better than my standard dampers anyway!

on the old forum it was suggested just replacing the rears with billies, as the rear is most likely to need the extra stiffening and leave the front as std ( new std dampers for you i would presume ). i cannot comment on who suggested this or if it is correct. any comments? thinking of this in the next month or so

You might get away with this with brand new front standard shocks but I remember when I changed just the rears for KYB's and the ride quality was appalling. The front just crashed over every bump. Handling was improved over standard though

Cheers for the advice <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I'm going to keep the car for a bit, so Bilies all round it is I think...

My Coupe has Boge dampers all round.

Are these standard or did the previous owner fit these?

I belive those would be standard units.

I've plumped for Bilies all round. Thought i'd get the clutch done to at the same time. Unfortunatly, it seems the last place that did the clutch decided to break some of the gearbox mounting points (explains someof the cluncking noises the car has been making) and not put some of the gaskets back on the box correctly, so i'm looking at a new gearbox as well <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />

I'll let you know what I think once I get it back, but Barbz says the shocks made a massive diffrence to the car and it was really good <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> till the box let go <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />