Hello all,

After looking through the forum after purchasing my coupe about 5 weeks ago I am getting the impression most people think the coupe isn't too great in the handling department and taking on the twisties.

I have never driven a coupe with standard suspension. Mine has upgraded bilstein shocks and eibach springs put on by one of the previous owners. I was just wandering whether this setup is a vast improvement over the standard car and what peoples opinions are?

Also does the LE have different suspension to a normal 20VT as they appear to sit lower?

Cheers

Stu

All 20vts have the same suspension. Darker wheels may make it look lower as do sideskirts.

The consensus I have seen is that bilsteins on standard shocks seems to be the best everyday set up. Lower springs can be a pain in urban areas with speed humps especially if bumper lips are fitted

Having driven a lowed car I would never lower mine but yet to try a standard spring with bilstein shock set up. If a bit of cash comes my way I may well get the opportunity

my coop is much improved with bilsteins & eibachs,also very good on the track

I am thinking of upgrading at some point but don't want to lower my car as it will end in tears very quickly.

So the idea is bilsteins with standard springs?

should still be a good improvement

I've not really pushed it yet to see how good it is. I'll definately be looking to be trying it on the track once my brakes have bedded in more.

The downside for me so far is that its not the best ride on bumpy road surfaces and speed bumps can be a bit tricky

thats what im going for bilsteins on standard springs

I have Bilstiens on standard springs and am pleased with it.

With 12mm spacers and a strut brace I think it now handles quite well. Not sure i'd put lowering springs on it for fear of messing up my LE lips...

Touche!!

Dave

Think I shall join you

Snap, just done 2 days ago at Motor-mech,
Thanks Paul and co
Very nice feel to the car now

I had eiback on standard springs (plus strut brace)first and it was very low and had very little body roll but the ride was really hard!

I now have fitted bilsteins with the eibacks and the ride hight is higher than with the standard shocks/eiback combo and the ride is much better but it has gained alot more body roll! This is a very good every day upgrade but from a visual point of view looks not as good.

I have now fitted the whiteline rear anti-roll bar and its reduced the body roll alot. A very good upgrade!


In hindsight i would have bought the best coilovers rather than the eiback bilstein combo!

NB when the bilsteins were fitted i had the wishbones and extras completley overhauled as well.

Tomo - How do you find the ride now compared to the all original set up?

Someone mentioned before that you can put the 16v version of the Eibachs on a 20v, and that results in a better ride.

I've got bilsteins, eibachs, whiteline rear ARB and a strut brace (also waiting on Nigles custom front brace!)

I find the ride better than standard (though the standadrd shocks and springs had done 70k!)

However, before doing any suspension mods you really need to make sure all your wishbones, topmounts, drop links etc are ok.

In most cases I would expect this to mean replacement of the lot. I had all my suspension components renewed a 2/3 months before the suspension upgrades and this made a significant difference.

Oh, and forgot to mention the handling is MUCH improved!

The original set up was Ok but not great, my coop had 48k on the clock then so it was reasonably ok condition wise too.

I added the eibacks mainly for looks as the standard ride hight looks ugly unless you have skirts/lips.

The eibacks didnt really change the ride in my opinion although im very carful/slow driver in bumpy-uneven conditions. You do have to watch for kerbs though and steep decents/accents etc.