Mid range Suspension Kits - Advice?

29th September 2015, 07:45

So...... over the winter i'll hopefully be getting my VTS in something resembling track-ready shape.

Next up on the to-do list is suspension kit.

Now, I know that the correct answer here is 'get bilsteins' - but, as much as I understand that recommendation, it just doesnt really fit in with the budget i'm working to or the overall condition of the car - its perhaps something i'd look at as an upgrade further down the line when i've sorted a few other bits and pieces, but for now, i'm more interested in getting something useable on the car.

So............. Suspension kits around the £300 mark probably give or take £100 - what would you be going for?

In that sorta price range i've been looking at Apex kit at the cheaper end of the scale, through to Koni's and a couple of Spax kits at the upper end of that bracket.

Any thoughts on these kits? Other recommendations?

Car will be used on both road and track, however, i'm not overly fussed about harsh ride quality for road use - so no concerns there.

I'm not under any illusions here - i've no intentions of being the quickest car around the track or have the best Saxo build in the history of mankind, but at the same time - i'm not wanting to waste money on cheap nasty stuff which ultimately wont be any good.

All help / recommendations / warnings appreciated

29th September 2015, 09:33

You will be concerned about harsh ride quality when you lack traction when driving high speed on the roads....I drive jap cars with suspension designed stiff because of poor marketing and dare I say it, education as to what works (everyone wants 8kg front springs, 6kg rear) and I honestly struggle to keep pace with softer sprung cars on the A roads.

Go for the Apex kit, its a great product at a great price. Seems to last a decent time too. You have a choice of either a 25mm lowering kit or a 50mm lowering kit.

If you go 50mm then most lower strut braces will not be any good as they sit too low, so consider a Satchell Strut Brace as this sits higher up and gives better ground clearance. Its also stronger and stiffer than any other similar products on the market.

29th September 2015, 11:15

Thanks mate

That's the answer my budget wanted to hear most haha, just wasn't sure if there was a decent case to argue for one of the slightly more expensive kits.

If you're saying the Apex is decent enough though, I think i'll go with that - at that price its probably a good in between if I do decide to go down the Billy route when I've got myself up and running.

Thanks again.

29th September 2015, 11:37

The Apex is a good kit for the money and over the years we've had nothing but good feedback. Theres no doubt the Bilstein B8 dampers and Eibach sportline spring combination is a better handling kit but the extra technology comes at a price. The Bilstein dampers act like a stiffer damper for slow roll into corners, but react as a soft damper would over the bumps.