Multiple questions from a noob

24th August 2010, 19:55

Hi guys. Posted this in the newbie-section, however I do understand why my questions go unanswered there, so I'm sort of reposting it here as it is a better place to do so.

I'm a new member from Norway. Now I don't want to be hated right away, but I won't beat around the bush. I own a BMW e36..
The thing is... I actually do like it, but I have a weakness for French cars and recently I haven't been able to get my mind off the Saxo. I've been snooping around the forums reading alot but I would like som information and thought perhaps you guys wouldn't mind giving me some advice, even though I abviously could find all I need to know through the search-function.
But seeing as this is the newbie-section I'll give it a go anyways.

So, I put my BMW up for sale. It shouldn't be too hard to get rid of if I just set the right price. Here in Norway it is worth about £3 000 - it's a '95 318ia with 255 000 kilometeres on it.

I can get my hands on a 1999 white Saxo for approx £ 2 500 and I would rather have a newer car that looks awesome than an old Beemer...

Now, on to the questions:

1. I have seen some pics of Saxo's with disc brakes all the way around. Now all the 1.4 VTS's I can find have drums at the rear, making me think that there is a model that they don't sell here in Norway with discs.. Perhaps a VTR?

2. Coilovers.. Hard to get your hands on? I'm guessing there will be torsion bars on the rear suspension, so lowering won't be a problem there

3. What rims are these and can I kiss the ground this car has driver on?
As far as I can see this car is only lowered and fitted with some 16s.. Am I right?

Additionally I am just curious as to how fitting of ICE is in this car, if it fits large speakers in the front. Also, what common faults should I be aware of when buying my first Saxo?

Thanks guys..

Cheers from Nicolai in Norway

24th August 2010, 20:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicoLoco

Now, on to the questions:

1. I have seen some pics of Saxo's with disc brakes all the way around. Now all the 1.4 VTS's I can find have drums at the rear, making me think that there is a model that they don't sell here in Norway with discs.. Perhaps a VTR?

2. Coilovers.. Hard to get your hands on? I'm guessing there will be torsion bars on the rear suspension, so lowering won't be a problem there

3. What rims are these and can I kiss the ground this car has driver on?
As far as I can see this car is only lowered and fitted with some 16s.. Am I right?

1) I think only the 1.6 vtr/s have discs on the rear, can swap a beam over easily

2) many manufacturers make coilovers, spax, GAZ, avo etc, or you can buy parts to make your own from scratch

3) they look like OZ superturismo's wrx

How did i do?

24th August 2010, 20:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicoLoco

1. I have seen some pics of Saxo's with disc brakes all the way around. Now all the 1.4 VTS's I can find have drums at the rear, making me think that there is a model that they don't sell here in Norway with discs.. Perhaps a VTR?

2. Coilovers.. Hard to get your hands on? I'm guessing there will be torsion bars on the rear suspension, so lowering won't be a problem there

3. What rims are these and can I kiss the ground this car has driver on?
As far as I can see this car is only lowered and fitted with some 16s.. Am I right?

Additionally I am just curious as to how fitting of ICE is in this car, if it fits large speakers in the front. Also, what common faults should I be aware of when buying my first Saxo?

1.
1.4 VTS all come with drums at the rear.

1.6i 16v VTS, is the one with disks.

2.
There are many coilovers to saxo, but only the expensive ones are worthy.

About the rear, is always the same, torsion bars, doesnt matter if its coilovers or not, just doesnt change.

3.OZ Superturismo GT 16", about kissing the ground, didnt got that.
The only seem to have lowering plus 16" wheels

About ice, come with standart 13cm, but with fiberglass molds and such as you can find here, you can get there 16,5cm speakers.

About awares, check is rear axis, normally gets crocked. Check is theres no oil on the motor's head respiration hole, or in the hair intake. theres many things you can check on a car.

Hugs

24th August 2010, 20:12

I answered in your noobie thread.

Don't make multiple threads if your questions don't get answered, its regarded as spam.

24th August 2010, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

I answered in your noobie thread.

Don't make multiple threads if your questions don't get answered, its regarded as spam.

thanks. I know.
I reported the thread to you guys for your moderation.

I will behave

24th August 2010, 20:29

Wow, thanks for all the replies, guys.
I'm not too worried about finding faults on the car, as I find that French cars rarely live up to their somewhat dodgy reputation.

I guess I'll need to buy stuff from the U.K. Just hope they fit on LHD cars and aren't RHD-specific. They shouldn't be though. I don't actually care much about the drum brakes on the rear, as I won't be relying on them much for braking anyways. I won't be taking my car to trackdays, so I will be fine with the drums on the rear.

I'd like to see some links if there is a place that sells 6,5" door pods for the speakers, as I know how much work manufacturing those and making it look good is.

I hope to be getting a Saxo in the coming month, and will be sure to keep you updated!

24th August 2010, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicoLoco

Wow, thanks for all the replies, guys.
I'm not too worried about finding faults on the car, as I find that French cars rarely live up to their somewhat dodgy reputation.

I guess I'll need to buy stuff from the U.K. Just hope they fit on LHD cars and aren't RHD-specific. They shouldn't be though. I don't actually care much about the drum brakes on the rear, as I won't be relying on them much for braking anyways. I won't be taking my car to trackdays, so I will be fine with the drums on the rear.

I'd like to see some links if there is a place that sells 6,5" door pods for the speakers, as I know how much work manufacturing those and making it look good is.

I hope to be getting a Saxo in the coming month, and will be sure to keep you updated!

Buy from france, they are lhd there

24th August 2010, 20:34

About the rear drums, i have them myself, and i wont ever swap for disk brakes..

If you lower your can and you dont tune the rear repartitor, one wheel will brake more then another, and in highway may be dangerous, beside drums do the job.

I can brake @ 220khp that the car wont move sideways

24th August 2010, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by VenoMNL

About the rear drums, i have them myself, and i wont ever swap for disk brakes..

If you lower your can and you dont tune the rear repartitor, one wheel will brake more then another, and in highway may be dangerous, beside drums do the job.

I can brake @ 220khp that the car wont move sideways

Yeah, figures. Thanks for your input. I just think they look sort of chav.. But I'm not gonna waste alot of money on the car as I really don't see the point in unecassery modifications.

24th August 2010, 20:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by VenoMNL

1.
1.4 VTS all come with drums at the rear.

1.6i 16v VTS, is the one with disks.

2.
There are many coilovers to saxo, but only the expensive ones are worthy.

About the rear, is always the same, torsion bars, doesnt matter if its coilovers or not, just doesnt change.

3.OZ Superturismo GT 16", about kissing the ground, didnt got that.
The only seem to have lowering plus 16" wheels

About ice, come with standart 13cm, but with fiberglass molds and such as you can find here, you can get there 16,5cm speakers.

About awares, check is rear axis, normally gets crocked. Check is theres no oil on the motor's head respiration hole, or in the hair intake. theres many things you can check on a car.

Hugs

The part about kissing the ground was just to emphasize how beautiful it was.

And I liked the hugs-ending

Thanks for the answers

You mentioned fiberglass molds, do you have a direct URL to any of those?

Which expensive coilivers would you suggest then? Any particular brands?

25th August 2010, 11:10

OK, guys. I was looking around and found these kits. I would need to check if they fit LHD cars, but would it be the right way to go?

Lower Strutbrace

Upper strutbrace

SPAX Suspension kit
Guess it will be with only the shocks for the rear as there are no springs there

Quickshift

Backbox for exhaust

Think this should set me up nicely with the 16" OZ rims or similar white rims... Any other ideas? Perhaps options to what I should buy? Negotiating the car now with the seller

25th August 2010, 11:33

One more thing.. Doesn't the right side skirt look damaged here? Is it supposed to be bent inwards in the front? Talking about right infront of the door at the bottom there

25th August 2010, 11:45

looks like a clips snapped from being jacked wrongly, most people on here will have a sideskirt that looks like that

25th August 2010, 11:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bickerton

looks like a clips snapped from being jacked wrongly, most people on here will have a sideskirt that looks like that

Ok. It is only plastic then? That should be an "easy fix", or not? Thanks for the reply

25th August 2010, 11:57

if the clip has just been pulled out you can most likely just pop it back in, if clip has broken they are about 40p each, check when you go see it

25th August 2010, 12:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bickerton

if the clip has just been pulled out you can most likely just pop it back in, if clip has broken they are about 40p each, check when you go see it

The kar is 2000 kilometers away from me, so I won't see it before I (perhaps) buy it.... Off course I can walk away from the deal, but that would set me back in plain tickets.

I live in the far northern part of Norway, and the selection isn't as good as it is in southern Norway, where this car is.

25th August 2010, 12:02

when was the cam belt done?
ask for a straight pic from behind so you can check for camber on the beam

25th August 2010, 12:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bickerton

when was the cam belt done?
ask for a straight pic from behind so you can check for camber on the beam

Thanks! I'll ask!! Great advice!

25th August 2010, 12:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bickerton

when was the cam belt done?
ask for a straight pic from behind so you can check for camber on the beam

+1, most costly problem on the saxo is the rear beam. Ask for pics of the rear tyres too, showing their wear. If they have uneven wear then the bearings have probably collapsed. Which can be a costly job.

Other problems, are rust in the rear archs. Also avoid a car with a dodgy idle, it could be a simple fix, but if it isnt its a long long journey finding out what the problem is.

Most other problems are cheap and easy to sort out here in the UK, not sure what second parts prices are like there.

25th August 2010, 12:16

Some info on checks:

http://www.saxperience.com/forum/sho...8&postcount=14

Also, bigger speakers dosent mean better for the front doors. Some 13cm componant speakers will have a good frequency range compared to a larger speaker setup. Having jsut large speakers would be like having a car full of different sized subs all focusing on a similar noise frequency.

Usually poeple will get 13cm Componants and a 10/12" sub. That will cover a good range of frequencys providing you get decent speakers.

25th August 2010, 15:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by db_sax

Some info on checks:

http://www.saxperience.com/forum/sho...8&postcount=14

Also, bigger speakers dosent mean better for the front doors. Some 13cm componant speakers will have a good frequency range compared to a larger speaker setup. Having jsut large speakers would be like having a car full of different sized subs all focusing on a similar noise frequency.

Usually poeple will get 13cm Componants and a 10/12" sub. That will cover a good range of frequencys providing you get decent speakers.

I am not going to be pleased with a 13cm setup. I want to use my 3-way setup in the car (6,5" woofers, 3" fullrange mids, 1" tweeter). I can agree on the frequency range, but range isn't everything and I'd like to see a 5,25" inch speaker that can match my soundstream 6,5". I just want to keep away from having to mould it myself, so aftermarket moulds would be awesome...

25th August 2010, 15:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicoLoco

I am not going to be pleased with a 13cm setup. I want to use my 3-way setup in the car (6,5" woofers, 3" fullrange mids, 1" tweeter). I can agree on the frequency range, but range isn't everything and I'd like to see a 5,25" inch speaker that can match my soundstream 6,5". I just want to keep away from having to mould it myself, so aftermarket moulds would be awesome...

Can usually get some off ebay for £60 max think it is! Or get 100 posts and put a wanted thread on here, someone will make some for ££'s

26th August 2010, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicoLoco

OK, guys. I was looking around and found these kits. I would need to check if they fit LHD cars, but would it be the right way to go?

Lower Strutbrace

Upper strutbrace

SPAX Suspension kit
Guess it will be with only the shocks for the rear as there are no springs there

Quickshift

Backbox for exhaust

Think this should set me up nicely with the 16" OZ rims or similar white rims... Any other ideas? Perhaps options to what I should buy? Negotiating the car now with the seller

Anybody able to answer these questions?

Also, is the owner of this guy on the forum, and does he have a progress thread?

26th August 2010, 12:12

They will all fit LHD mate

Think the car might of belonged to 'Berg'

26th August 2010, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by db_sax

They will all fit LHD mate

Think the car might of belonged to 'Berg'

Berg didn't drive a lhd

26th August 2010, 12:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by db_sax

They will all fit LHD mate

Think the car might of belonged to 'Berg'

Thanks mate, but part of the question was aswell if this would be the right way to go. Would I be better off buying different parts, or are these good enough? =)

26th August 2010, 12:42

Upper strut brace does nothing
Lower does a bit but can hinder daily driving as hits alot of things, ie speed bumps, and snow

Alot of cheaper quickshifts can be unreliable

Is getting a basic suspension kit i would personally try getting an "apex" kit instead of the spax

That back ox is fine aslong as noise isnt an issue

26th August 2010, 12:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bickerton

Berg didn't drive a lhd

The white car in the pic? its a RHD? lol
Am i missing something?

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicoLoco

Thanks mate, but part of the question was aswell if this would be the right way to go. Would I be better off buying different parts, or are these good enough? =)

Theyre a start, and its usually the most some poeple do tho their cars. However, i always beleive to do a full proper job rather than just odd bits here n there.

Depends what you want from the car mate! The saxo out the tin is a good car without any mods, but if you get enjoyment from feeling the difference after each mod then yeh, you're on the right route

26th August 2010, 12:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by db_sax

The white car in the pic? its a RHD? lol
Am i missing something?

Theyre a start, and its usually the most some poeple do tho their cars. However, i always beleive to do a full proper job rather than just odd bits here n there.

Depends what you want from the car mate! The saxo out the tin is a good car without any mods, but if you get enjoyment from feeling the difference after each mod then yeh, you're on the right route

Yeah, I just need somewhere to start. I'm not gonna do anything with the engine (except for maintenance) as I have already had my stint at turbocharging a car and it is expensive as heck (My previous car was a Lexus IS200 with 255,3 bhp). Now as I am a student at the local university I would just like to have a cool car to get me around, and I can't seem to get my mind off the Saxo!

Won't be doing anything serious with it, but the least I can do is slam it and fit it with appropriate shoes.
I will be fitting some nice ICE in it aswell, and sound-deadening the whole thing is priority number 1.

26th August 2010, 12:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bickerton

Upper strut brace does nothing
Lower does a bit but can hinder daily driving as hits alot of things, ie speed bumps, and snow

Alot of cheaper quickshifts can be unreliable

Is getting a basic suspension kit i would personally try getting an "apex" kit instead of the spax

That back ox is fine aslong as noise isnt an issue

Yeah, those strut-braces are just for show. Think I might skip them. When it comes to speed-bumps and snow, we've got enough of both. I might just skip those then!

I have no problems with paying more for a quickshift, just need to find somewhere that sells it and ships to Norway. Any hints on that?

Now sounds isn't an issue other that having to pass a strict bi-annual check. How loud would you say it is? On my previous Lexus I had a 3" system with a couple of pots on it, that was noisy as hell. Sounded like a beefed up Supra, but I guess it won't be rediculously loud.

I wouldn't mind getting an Apex kit, will look into that!

Thanks!

26th August 2010, 12:58

Good stuff. All you need to do is research each part on this forum really. A search on the Spax PSX will show theyre not the most reliable as the piston usually gets play in the stantion. As Bickerton says the Apex is the best alternative to the Spax.

26th August 2010, 13:03

Cheers!
I wouldn't mind going for THIS kit as it lowers 50mm and with 16" rims I don't think a 60mm lowering would be as good an idea as the 50mm option..

26th August 2010, 13:04

B&M seems to the the quickshift to have but they dont come cheap

26th August 2010, 21:17

Totally gay or not?

26th August 2010, 21:18

VW beetle wheels

26th August 2010, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bickerton

VW beetle wheels

You think? I've never seen a car with rims like those. Just worried it will look like a hairdressers car (not saying anything bad about them)

26th August 2010, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicoLoco

You think? I've never seen a car with rims like those. Just worried it will look like a hairdressers car (not saying anything bad about them)

I don't think, i know

26th August 2010, 21:49

wow. that was hideous!
OZ Superturismos it is then

26th August 2010, 21:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by NicoLoco

OK, guys. I was looking around and found these kits. I would need to check if they fit LHD cars, but would it be the right way to go?

Backbox for exhaust

Think this should set me up nicely with the 16" OZ rims or similar white rims... Any other ideas? Perhaps options to what I should buy? Negotiating the car now with the seller

I was looking at this exhaust also! Nice huh....

26th August 2010, 23:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dane1

I was looking at this exhaust also! Nice huh....

Yeah, dude. I totally agree.... When you don't want to have exchange the entire system I think a backbox like that will do just fine! I'm not going to enhance the motor any way, just want a sportier sound and a nice tip