thoughts on coilovers and shocks and springs

[mattyh24hdi]

Basically as it says guys im looking to lowering my hdi but im not sure what route to go down. I want a comfy ish drive still and a nice ride height. Around -60mm I don't want to spend a massive amount atm. Around 250 max really. Ive had bad experience with cheap coilovers just not a nice ride. And I remember on my earlier cars shocks and springs were good just obviously a set height. Just wanted thoughts people's experience cheers.

[Eeyore]

60mm springs for £50ish. sorted. Lower rear torsion bar for £100 sorted.

The cheapest coilovers are about £160 so once youve lowered the rear beam youve blown the budget.

[puglove]

Yeah your never going to get some decent coilies and lower your beam fpr 250. Unless you can do your beam your self and get some 2nd had decent coilies dirt cheap.

But if you want comfort id go for some after market shocks (to aviod bottoming out) and some 2nd hand 60mm springs

[mattyh24hdi]

I can do all the torsion bar my self no problem was just enquiring really best set up for front. I dont want to go stupidly low but I dont want it high.

[Jonny81191]

I dont want to go stupidly low but I dont want it high.

So you want something in between? Just thought I'd clear up any potential confusion

I'd be looking at shocks and springs personally, the best you can buy with your budget. Bilstein B8's are apparently epic, but rather pricey.

[puglove]

Well your not going to get any new colies for £250 new. You MIGHT find some AVOs or GAZ 2nd hand if your really lucky . But it prices are up around £500 for somthing semi good new.

TA/raceland £170ish. Very rattly IMO

vmaxx £280-300 , heard nothing but bad press about these. Just over priced TAs so iv heard

AP coilies £360-400, iv got these on my 6 and REALLY rate them for the money. Handles real well without being rattled to death
£500-600 youv got the GAZ /AVOs that alot of people use and again really rate.

Then you get to some really good spec coilies that are really expesive .

So yeah you can spend £250 and get crap coilies or spend £250 on some decent bilstein shocks and some springs and hace a much better ride/drive

coilies are only worth having if you want to get low or you going to spend ££££ and get somthing that stick to the road like shit to a blanket

[silverzx]

coilies are only worth having if you want to get low or you going to spend ££££ and get somthing that stick to the road like shit to a blanket.

This is what I want for the 205!

[E_KEL95]

Lower rear torsion bar for £100 sorted.

The cheapest coilovers are about £160 so once youve lowered the rear beam youve blown the budget.

£100 for lowering the back of a 306 if thats the rate people are charging i think im gona start lowering them for ones...

[puglove]

Lower rear torsion bar for £100 sorted.

The cheapest coilovers are about £160 so once youve lowered the rear beam youve blown the budget.

£100 for lowering the back of a 306 if thats the rate people are charging i think im gona start lowering them for ones...

I think he was talking garage costs

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coilies are only worth having if you want to get low or you going to spend ££££ and get somthing that stick to the road like shit to a blanket.

This is what I want for the 205!

Get some AVO coilies & 1.9 gti beam and get it on the floor then, mybe some big ass TBs for good messure then

[Jonny81191]

and get it on the floor

No no no no NO!

If you want handling, look to lower about 50mm tops IMHO. Any lower and unless you have a LOT of shiny and expensive specialist suspension parts, you'll ruin it.

[silverzx]

Get some AVO coilies & 1.9 gti beam and get it on the floor then, mybe some big ass TBs for good messure then

Naaaaa. Having Darrens old TA's and pov spec beam ftw.

[Dicky]

Lower rear torsion bar for £100 sorted.

The cheapest coilovers are about £160 so once youve lowered the rear beam youve blown the budget.

£100 for lowering the back of a 306 if thats the rate people are charging i think im gona start lowering them for ones...

I won't look at a torsion bar for less than £100 lol

From experience, TA Technix are f*cking dreadful, AP are alright I found shocks and springs alot better.

[puglove]

Get some AVO coilies & 1.9 gti beam and get it on the floor then, mybe some big ass TBs for good messure then

Naaaaa. Having Darrens old TA's and pov spec beam ftw.

Well its never going to handle that well then is you numpty

[mattyh24hdi]

Okay guys pretty much as I thought. I was swaying towards the shocks and springs anyway. I think coilovers are good if your spending good money or racing round a track. And ref to torsion bar I no a few mates charge about 100 for doing them. Easy money really.

[silverzx]

Well its never going to handle that well then is you numpty

Well as good as it can for the sake of £50~£70.

[LeeroyNI]

You could just go full blown felt spec and take an angle grinder to your front springs and go 3 nicks at the back.

On a more serious note, I found Eibach springs do a good job for the price of them

[E_KEL95]

You could just go full blown felt spec and take an angle grinder to your front springs and go 3 nicks at the back.

This... the way a 306 should be..

Still cant believe ones charge 100 for doing the back of a 306, youd be lucky to get 20-30 of someone over here..

[mattyh24hdi]

So are people still using standard shocks? Or uprating shocks as well? As im thinking of going for -60mm.

[vlj]

So are people still using standard shocks? Or uprating shocks as well? As im thinking of going for -60mm.

It's worth upgrading the shocks - if you can get hold of a set, the Bilstein B8's are really good, and suited for a shorter spring.
Even if you just get B4's (OE spec replacement), it'll freshen up your handling.

[mattyh24hdi]

Okay that's brilliant will have to do that. Thanks for help and advice.

[LeeroyNI]

This... the way a 306 should be..

At least someone agrees!

[puglove]

This... the way a 306 should be if your an idiot..

At least someone agrees!

wut lol

[Alan_M]

Basically as it says guys im looking to lowering my hdi but im not sure what route to go down. I want a comfy ish drive still and a nice ride height. Around -60mm I don't want to spend a massive amount atm. Around 250 max really. Ive had bad experience with cheap coilovers just not a nice ride. And I remember on my earlier cars shocks and springs were good just obviously a set height. Just wanted thoughts people's experience cheers.

-60mm is quite a lot judging from my HDi, it literally be on the floor. Not questioning your choice, more wondering if mine has already been lowered. I can barely get 3 fingers between the tyre and arch. I've just got hold of full suspension setup off a VTS inc. beam and was going to chuck it on the HDi. I don't want it any lower than it is, so not sure now.

TBH if you're after a nice ride height and comfort, why not replace the shocks with new GTi6/VTS and a set of Eibach springs, and give the bushes/TREs/bearings etc a good going over? Cheap, cheerful and should feel tight again with the look you're after. As you say, cheap coilovers are pants. I'm looking for a set for my 205, and I won't consider anything below the £500 mark. General opinion is the Bilstein fixed platform stuff is better at that range.

If you drop the beam, check/change the seals too. Seals can get torn up when taken apart, and will let water past killing the beam.

[mattyh24hdi]

Thats a good point alan do you have any pics of yours how it sat? I mean I was just going to go for the gmax set up I think. Seems the best at the moment for the money I would like the bilstein set up but I dont no if I can justify the price I would just want it to sit nicely and handle abit better. End of the day im not racing round a track so im not fussy as long as they last. And yes I will replace any bushes and things if need be but I won't for the sake of it. Beem looks freshly refurbished so hoping I will be okay in that aspect ha.

[anto]

Ive had various setups over the years;

Spax shocks and Spax 40mm springs - £260 new - comfy but too high for me
Spax shocks and 60mm saxo springs - £70 - nice and low, bit bouncier but not that bad
Jamex coilovers (similar to PI, TA technix etc) - £260 - bit crashy at times, excellent ride height. They seized the platforms and in the end needed the grinder to free them.

Finally Koni adjustable shocks and Koni 35mm springs - best handling, comfy, shite ride height.