Best all round suspension set up

9th January 2014, 18:26

Looking to upgrade my suspension, but want to know people's views on the best all round package to go for. The car is used pretty much as a daily, but also for 'spirited weekend driving' and definitely going to be doing a few trackdays.

On my old sax I had eibach springs (lowered by about 50mm), bilstein dampers, rear beam lowered 60mm, polybushed all round and group n mounts. The handling was great but it was bloody uncomfortable for a trip to the shops and after 5k of road miles the car had practically shaken itself to pieces.

So I'm wanting a set up less hardcore than that (more comfy and kind to my spine), but want it to be decent quality and up to the job for the odd trackdays.

Budget of around £300, can stretch that if necessary but ideally the cheaper the better.

So basically taking into account performance, price and probably most importantly comfort, what are your suggestions? Cheers in advance

9th January 2014, 18:59

Apex all the way. Good bang for your buck.

9th January 2014, 19:02

Did you have Bilstein B8 dampers? I believe B4 is 'stock' but there is also a B6 kit?

9th January 2014, 20:21

Im planning on going with the apex kit from kam racing ive heard great reviews and theyre about 240 quid new with 4 shocks and front springs

10th January 2014, 10:21

I do free shipping for saxp on the apex kit. Give me a call to order

Kev

10th January 2014, 16:57

So are the apex dampers actually decent? I'm guessing the 35mm option will be slightly more comfy, or does it not make a difference?

10th January 2014, 17:27

I'd of thought the eibach 's would of been great on the road, maybe your dampers were too stiff for the springs?
I had a set of eibach' s on a S2 106 Rallye and they were great.

10th January 2014, 19:33

My eibach -50mm springs were good on apex and then b8's. I'm staying with them for the GpN's which I've got but not used yet. Certainly wouldn't say they were especially harsh. Weird.

10th January 2014, 20:50

On my old sax with the eibachs and the bilsteins, on a couple of occasions after going over a pothole the engine cut out. I had to pull over, pop the bonnet and press that red button by the fuse box so that the engine would start again. Then sit there for about 5 minutes whilst my spine vertibrae reconnected themselves.

Was told it was because the suspension was so stiff, when going over potholes the jolt made the ecu think the car had crashed and it cuts the engine out. Anyone else had this?

13th January 2014, 13:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martijn_M

Did you have Bilstein B8 dampers? I believe B4 is 'stock' but there is also a B6 kit?

If he's on about my old black VTS, that had 50mm apex springs and apex front and rear dampers, never had b8's on.

13th January 2014, 13:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by ollie-vt-

On my old sax with the eibachs and the bilsteins, on a couple of occasions after going over a pothole the engine cut out. I had to pull over, pop the bonnet and press that red button by the fuse box so that the engine would start again. Then sit there for about 5 minutes whilst my spine vertibrae reconnected themselves.

Was told it was because the suspension was so stiff, when going over potholes the jolt made the ecu think the car had crashed and it cuts the engine out. Anyone else had this?

it's a ball bearing inside it, so electromagnets and driving upside down also cause it!

14th January 2014, 22:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by lwigmore

If he's on about my old black VTS, that had 50mm apex springs and apex front and rear dampers, never had b8's on.

I was on about my old gold vts I had about 3 or 4 years ago, it was probably b8's but couldn't say for certain, they were on the car when I bought it but it was a long time ago.

Your saxo even less comfortable lol, with it being stripped and no power steering thats not gonna help! Not going for that kind of thing with the saxo I've got now though, as said it's used a fair amount on the road so not going to go all out on this one.

I'm still undecided on what suspension set up to go for, I'm going to sort the engine out first and decide on what suspension to go for once that side of things is done.

15th January 2014, 01:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by ollie-vt-

I was on about my old gold vts I had about 3 or 4 years ago, it was probably b8's but couldn't say for certain, they were on the car when I bought it but it was a long time ago.

Your saxo even less comfortable lol, with it being stripped and no power steering thats not gonna help! Not going for that kind of thing with the saxo I've got now though, as said it's used a fair amount on the road so not going to go all out on this one.

I'm still undecided on what suspension set up to go for, I'm going to sort the engine out first and decide on what suspension to go for once that side of things is done.

Ah ok mate, you just had to get used to it

I drove to nurburgring with it like that

just gotta man up a bit lol

Thought about group n's with ast top mounts and 40mm Faulkner springs?

3rd February 2014, 19:28

I can recommend koni springs and yellow adjustables...didnt have them on a saxo had em on a 306 and ride was still comfortable and much tighter in the corners the kit cost me around 450 so more than your budget but id say worth saving for....

3rd February 2014, 23:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by ollie-vt-

On my old sax with the eibachs and the bilsteins, on a couple of occasions after going over a pothole the engine cut out. I had to pull over, pop the bonnet and press that red button by the fuse box so that the engine would start again. Then sit there for about 5 minutes whilst my spine vertibrae reconnected themselves.

Was told it was because the suspension was so stiff, when going over potholes the jolt made the ecu think the car had crashed and it cuts the engine out. Anyone else had this?

a 50mm drop gives limited suspension travel. This is the problem if you want to navigate potholes with ease..

3rd February 2014, 23:41

Ive just fitted a set of Eibach Pro springs and dampers to the mrs 106. The existing springs were fine, dampers probably a bit worn, but the handling and feel on the new kit is brilliant. Its not too low, firm without being crashy, very good on the back roads.

No one ever seems to mention or rate the Eibach stuff which is surprising.

4th February 2014, 00:10

I've had their springs for getting on 8 years on this car. Love em.

4th February 2014, 00:55

Have used Avo a lot in the past. Good bits of kit for the money and the guy there is very helpful. Not sure of the price to be honest but for fast road type stuff it's very reasonable IIRC.

Have upgraded a bit since then since we got the saxo so haven't used them for a couple of years but it did do us well on the 205 for quite a few years.

4th February 2014, 08:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

My eibach -50mm springs were good on apex and then b8's. I'm staying with them for the GpN's which I've got but not used yet. Certainly wouldn't say they were especially harsh. Weird.

I tried those springs with billy group ns, worst decision ever!!!! Go with some stiffer springs, it transformed my car!

4th February 2014, 09:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabbastard

Ive just fitted a set of Eibach Pro springs and dampers to the mrs 106. The existing springs were fine, dampers probably a bit worn, but the handling and feel on the new kit is brilliant. Its not too low, firm without being crashy, very good on the back roads.

No one ever seems to mention or rate the Eibach stuff which is surprising.

Eibach springs are the best on the market. I recommend them to everyone. They dont make the dampers any more as they were not very popular, but the Bilsteins are better anyway in my opinion.