Hi All,

My Bravo 100/16v has 52K on it and has the original suspension fitted (as far as I know...). The rear dampers were replaced (leaky) about 8k miles ago and now I think the fronts may need doing too, but I thought I would ask first - the front feels very crashy on bumpy surfaces and it hops about a little. I don't think it used to do this but any change would be gradual so I'm not sure. Its always been, ahem, firm of course

Assuming I do what should I go for ? Kwik Fit's cheapies or something else ? I'm looking for some better handling and better ride quality if possible, but I'll settle for better handling with the same ride but losing the "crashiness".

Apologies for the lack of clear technical phrases....

PS - Also getting brake fade even when slowing once from 70-ish to stop. Standard brakes and pads again.

If your car is still on the "from the factory" shocks then they are long overdue a change. Shocks wear and start to give a dodgey ride long before they will leak or fail the infamous "bump and settle" test.

I'm on 55k on my HGT and my car hops about now just as you describe. Once the house move is sorted I'm toying with the idea of the full Abarth spring set.

Yep - definitely jumping about a lot. What to go for though ? I don't want to lower it or have a ride where my fillings come out - Edinburgh roads are just too crap for that, plus loads of speed humps . Something that looks standard but works better than standard if possible. Just read something on suspension which recommended Bilsteins - and there is a part number on the BOO site, anyone else got any other things they like ? Standard for insurance etc. please.

Also I was toying with the idea of standard springs and dampers, plus stiffer roll bars to stop the thing tipping over so much - I'm used to Minis . The tyres are good and it doesn't slide any more (was on crappy banana skins from K/Fit when I got it), but... it could be nicer.

And then I can look at kits, wheels and so on

You may as well stay with standard. If your shocks have done that many miles it will feel like you have a sports pack if you put new standards on.

Lowering may help with body roll as you are lowering the centre of gravity but other than that it's just a case of live with it really.

One of the lads on the Bravo Forum swears by his strut brace but just be prepared for the huge insurance hike if you go down that route.

Having got what is a practicly new Brava ive found the car very rock steady on cornering, Cant really notice any body roll at all, but it does seem harsh over some slowdown strips you get at the end of dual carrage ways.

Think I notice this more as I used to have a Rover 200 mk2. That cars suspension was set high and soft, cant feel a thing on bumps like the carrageway strips but it pitches and rolls when cornering.

Morf: I know what you mean about edinburgh, bloody cobble streets near haymarket end

It corners cool just wants to knock out fillings all the time, and has little traction - wheelspin is dead easy in bumpy roads.

Does anyone reccommend a make of standard ? I got recommended Bilsteins in standard spec (the part no from the Boo pages ??). If I get em or spec what ones I want my garage will fit them. Ok - not actually MINE, the one I go to....

I mostly hit the cobbles in Leith and Easter Road, but I know what you mean. Owww!