Need good advice!!

1. Chris120190 L-plater Joined: Jul 2008 Staffs Posts: 54 Saxo 1.4 furio

   #1 4th September 2008, 20:46

   Alrite people, i am looking to lower my furio soon, but people keep telling me different and advisin me different so i am just unsure how low to go and whther to do it all
   
   My dad is a mechanic and has been for like the past 25 years and he's says i shouldnt have it lowered as it may cause problems messin bout with cars like that, but he will do it if i get some decent stuff and dont go too low he says!
   
   From experience what is the best height to go? and is it best just to go same all round as the car is set up standard that way if u get me lol I was thinking its either goin to be the spax 40mm kit or the apex 50mm! what do ya think? i jus dunno wetha 50mm will ok and wont 40mm b better for handling
   
   I have 15" inch alloys on with 195/45 tyres, ther not vts, not sure what they are as they wer on when i brought it and i cant find out what they are lol
   
   The main thing is i want my car to be safe and reliable, but want decent looks and handling also!
   
   Soz about the essay lol
   
   hope u can help me
   
   x
2. Chris120190 L-plater Joined: Jul 2008 Staffs Posts: 54 Saxo 1.4 furio

   #2 4th September 2008, 20:54

   rep will b added for gd feedback at some point
3. Ari Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2008 East Kilbride Posts: 113 106 Gti, Subaru Impreza

   #3 4th September 2008, 21:06

   Most of the roads round my way are very yumpy and pretty rough so if I chose to lower.. the lowest I would go would be just -20mm.
   
   -30 to -40 should be ok for most other people who live with decent roads but I certainly wouldnt lower it any further than that.
   
   Lowering the rear can be a difficult job.. you have been warned.
4. Ari Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2008 East Kilbride Posts: 113 106 Gti, Subaru Impreza

   #4 4th September 2008, 21:11

   If I was you, I'd listen to your dad.. he has 25 years experience. A good set of adjustable shockers at normal or near normal ride height will improve the handling leaps and bounds.
5. Chris120190 L-plater Joined: Jul 2008 Staffs Posts: 54 Saxo 1.4 furio

   #5 4th September 2008, 21:22

   yhyh i may well do that, its just i want the looks as my furio looks as if its on stilts t the mo, but if lowering it means causing damage and that i wont do it, so i may just change the shocks like said
   
   Thanks 4 ur advice m8. . rep added x
6. Quick Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2003 United Kingdom (England) Posts: 7064

   #6 4th September 2008, 21:25

   Pics would help to name the wheels!!
7. Chris120190 L-plater Joined: Jul 2008 Staffs Posts: 54 Saxo 1.4 furio

   #7 4th September 2008, 21:34

   This sounds thick. . but i car get one on ere lol how do i do it? lol
   
   x
8. DanT Established Member Joined: Feb 2007 P'boro Posts: 1619 R27 Clio

   #8 4th September 2008, 21:40

   Lowering a saxo is fine as long as you get it done properly, ie the torsion bars taken out, beam raised and then bars put back in. There is a cowboy way called the "notches" method which you should steer well clear of. If you have a good mechy at hand then this should be ok though. If your on a budget then go with the apex 35mm kit or the 50mm kit from them. If your not, billies and faulkners.
9. Quick Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2003 United Kingdom (England) Posts: 7064

   #9 4th September 2008, 21:51

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by Chris120190 This sounds thick. . but i car get one on ere lol how do i do it? lol x

   
   Upload your pic to photobucket & post the link here!
10. Chris120190 L-plater Joined: Jul 2008 Staffs Posts: 54 Saxo 1.4 furio

    #10 4th September 2008, 22:32

    heres a pic of my car m8. . not sure whether u will b able 2 see the alloys. . should be able to
    
    http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/p...90/newcar1.jpg
    
    x
11. Chris120190 L-plater Joined: Jul 2008 Staffs Posts: 54 Saxo 1.4 furio

    #11 4th September 2008, 22:33

    its this one not the above . . lol
    
    http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/p.../newcar1-1.jpg
    
    x
12. ryhornvtr Frequent Poster Joined: Sep 2005 norwich United Kingdom (England) Posts: 821 2003 posi VTS

    #12 4th September 2008, 22:38

    The apex kit is good for a budget kit, either height they do should be good.
    
    Ive had H&R 30mm springs and bille shocks on for 18 months now and theyve been great, only lower about 20-25mm though.
    
    I now have some billie sprints and faulkners to go on so im selling the H&R springs if youre interested?
13. Matt67 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Aug 2008 Kent Posts: 2653 1.6 16v C2 GT

    #13 4th September 2008, 22:57

    your be fine dropping it 40 mm, its been said you can do that without having to change the factory dampers, but imo if your going to slam it, do it properly and fork out the extra cash and get the right kit, but apart from that your be fine lowering it 40mm and your love the look of it
14. Chris120190 L-plater Joined: Jul 2008 Staffs Posts: 54 Saxo 1.4 furio

    #14 4th September 2008, 23:06

    wer can i get a 40mm all round kit (springs and shocks) from for a decent price?
    
    Dont springs settle aswell lower so if i lowered it 40mm the front springs wud maybe settle to 45mm wer as the back wud stay at 40mm ?
    
    x
15. Quick Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2003 United Kingdom (England) Posts: 7064

    #15 5th September 2008, 13:12

    
    
    Can't really tell from the pic, any badges on the wheels?
    
    Also please remove the Vts badges as upbadging is bad!
    
    Multi-colour belts, lack of rear headrests and drum are a big giveaway!!
16. KamRacing Saxperience Addict Joined: Nov 2006 A farm shed in Aylesbury Posts: 14916 Corolla AE86 Peugeot 205 B18C (in bits)

    #16 5th September 2008, 13:33

    If there are lots of bumps in the local area I would go 35mm, the geometry remains good and handling will be spot on
17. Dez Established Member Joined: Oct 2007 Shoreham By Sea near Brighton Posts: 2065 saxo vt*

    #17 5th September 2008, 13:57

    im down 50mm and i have speed bumps down my road and lots of GHEY holes!!!
    
    So imo 50mm is fine, any lower and you may have problems
18. lcheater Frequent Poster Joined: Jul 2005 Southampton United Kingdom (England) Posts: 811 1999 Saxo VTS 2008 Vectra 2.8 V6 Turbo 1987 Rang

    #18 5th September 2008, 14:19

    I think the best advice to give you is whatever height you go to is up to you at the end of the day but remember lower = more compromises (slower over speed bumps, risk of hitting the bottom of the car over bumpy roads etc), higher = (doesn’t look as good to a certain extent, but its more practical). Only you can choose your ride height, and it depends on what you think looks good. Personally, I think decked to the floor so it looks like there are no springs looks horrible, and standard height also looks horrible – so about halfway between that is what you need to go for. I would say 50mm is absolute maximum but between 40 and 45 would be best (in my opinion).
    
    However, whatever height you choose, it is absolutely necessary to replace the shocks because standard shocks cannot withstand the shorter springs – they leak oil after a while and I believe this is an MOT failure. Basically, if you choose not to replace the shocks when u fit the springs, you will have to take it all to bits again around a year later and fit new shocks.
    
    See my link in my signature for pics of how low my car is. I bought it like it so don’t know off hand how low it is, but I should be able to see on the springs and let u know if you like what you see?

    1 user thanked this post: 1100desire
19. Chris120190 L-plater Joined: Jul 2008 Staffs Posts: 54 Saxo 1.4 furio

    #19 5th September 2008, 23:45

    'Quick' : I know about the badges and ther not good. . lol I have been looking for some citroen sport badges but can't seem to find any:s wercan i get some and how much? and do they jus clip off and on?
    
    'lcheater' : Thanks m8. . yh i like the look of your height, what is the ride like and the handling?
    
    What kit can i get what will lower it 40-45mm all round? its spax aint it? and wer from?
    
    
20. grant_evans Frequent Poster Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 863

    #20 6th September 2008, 00:36

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Chris120190 'Quick' : I know about the badges and ther not good. . lol I have been looking for some citroen sport badges but can't seem to find any:s wercan i get some and how much?

    http://www.dnnsigns.co.uk/shop/
21. lcheater Frequent Poster Joined: Jul 2005 Southampton United Kingdom (England) Posts: 811 1999 Saxo VTS 2008 Vectra 2.8 V6 Turbo 1987 Rang

    #21 6th September 2008, 13:25

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Chris120190 'lcheater' : Thanks m8. . yh i like the look of your height, what is the ride like and the handling? What kit can i get what will lower it 40-45mm all round? its spax aint it? and wer from?

    Cant comment on handling as i have never driven this car. I can comment on the ride because i was sat in the car steering it when i was being towed home after buying it, so yes, i would say the ride is acceptable - not as bad as some i have been in, but obviously bumpier than standard!
    
    Someone please correct me if i am wrong but i dont think you can get a kit which lowers the car all round. The rear torsion bar doesnt need any extra equipment / upgrades (apart from shocks if you choose to do it properly). What you need to do is decide what height you want, buy the springs (and shocks if it were me) for the front and then get the torsion bar adjusted to match the front. Does this sound right to everyone?
22. Chris120190 L-plater Joined: Jul 2008 Staffs Posts: 54 Saxo 1.4 furio

    #22 6th September 2008, 14:35

    yhyh. . i jus wud prefer to buy a kit with 2 springs in and 4 shocks. . is easier and probs cheaper aint it!
    
    Or if i lower it 40-45mm i have gotta buy the shocks and the springs separate also wat about the springs settling? do they drop after they have been fitted 4 like a week? cus if they do.. the front will end up even lower than the back lol If any1 knows wer a gd 40mm kit at a decent price is. . wud help cus ill gte that but if i can't find one will jus buy 50mm apex kit i think! 50mm shud b ok i think, the roads aint too bad round by me and i want it to look gd if im spendin the money!
23. lcheater Frequent Poster Joined: Jul 2005 Southampton United Kingdom (England) Posts: 811 1999 Saxo VTS 2008 Vectra 2.8 V6 Turbo 1987 Rang

    #23 6th September 2008, 15:10

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Chris120190 yhyh. . i jus wud prefer to buy a kit with 2 springs in and 4 shocks. . is easier and probs cheaper aint it! Or if i lower it 40-45mm i have gotta buy the shocks and the springs separate also wat about the springs settling? do they drop after they have been fitted 4 like a week? cus if they do.. the front will end up even lower than the back lol If any1 knows wer a gd 40mm kit at a decent price is. . wud help cus ill gte that but if i can't find one will jus buy 50mm apex kit i think! 50mm shud b ok i think, the roads aint too bad round by me and i want it to look gd if im spendin the money!

    Yes the fronts will settle down - wouldnt say it would take as long as a week though - depends on your mileage though. I would say give it 2 or 3 days max if you are driving the car aound every day. Then adjust the torsion bar - or adjust the torsion bar a tiny bit lower than the fronts when u fit the fronts.
24. Chris120190 L-plater Joined: Jul 2008 Staffs Posts: 54 Saxo 1.4 furio

    #24 7th September 2008, 18:01

    Firstly how much do springs settle roughly? so i know how much lower to go on the back?
    
    And secondly, at what height do you need to cut the bump stops down? they wont need altering if im goin down 50mm will they? well it may be like
    55mm if the springs settle 5mm for example!
    
    And finally does any1 know wer fairly cheap 40mm kits are going from? as 40mm wud be ideal really, but mite just go 50mm on apex kit if can't find a propa 40mm full kit below 200 squid!
    
    rep added for gd feedback