Putting 4 new tyres on my 100hp tomorrow and have gone with 195/50/15's to see if it softens up the ride a little over bumps and cracks in the road.

I'm sure it's been covered many times but if the ride is still too harsh what is the best alternative in terms of springs and shocks? I love the handling but just looking to have a little more give over more bumpy surfaces...

Thanks..

waddler said:

Putting 4 new tyres on my 100hp tomorrow and have gone with 195/50/15's to see if it softens up the ride a little over bumps and cracks in the road.

I'm sure it's been covered many times but if the ride is still too harsh what is the best alternative in terms of springs and shocks? I love the handling but just looking to have a little more give over more bumpy surfaces...

Thanks..

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Did that a few years back. You mainly notice the slight difference cos of new tyres, but ultimately it makes little difference. Still 1st gear and 3mph over speed humps. I've often pondered swapping to 1.2 model springs.


We recently added a 1.2 Dynamic to our 100hp and the the cornering is somewhat better than I had thought - not roly-poly really. The difference over bumps is huge though, compared to the 100hp.

Thanks. So what would I need to buy and fit?

waddler said:

Thanks. So what would I need to buy and fit?

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A number of folks on here have replaced the standard shocks with Koni ones and this seems to better deal with the bounce. However, It's still gonna be a firmly sprung car.


Buy those rear springs that are for sale in the classifieds and tell me how you go!

The H&R springs and koni sports, I have them its handles fine and isn't too firm, when you compare with other sports cars and hot hatches

Dev100 said:

The H&R springs and koni sports, I have them its handles fine and isn't too firm, when you compare with other sports cars and hot hatches

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Thanks much appreciated do you have any online we links to these parts?

Demon tweaks, larkspeed, gazelle racing

I've recenty replaced the rear shocks with Koni sports (set on the softest setting) and the car's vertical motion is controlled better. It's not a Citroen magic carpet by any means and the ride feels jiggly on certain surfaces but the car is much more responsive and feels like "one piece" now, the turn-in has improved as well and when lifting off mid-bend I have a much more responsive rear end which I like. It also goes better over speed bumps now.
I am going to fit the fronts to get it more balanced.
I wouldn't lower the Panda, it already has very short suspension travel.

New tyres have done the trick...

Still feels firm but has stopped the crashing over bumps and holes in the road.

i just wish the drive by wire wasn't so numb.
driving it in sport mode makes it more responsive but too jerky , it is the "artificial" pedal feel i don't like.

fpan said:

i just wish the drive by wire wasn't so numb.
driving it in sport mode makes it more responsive but too jerky , it is the "artificial" pedal feel i don't like.

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Steering weights up too much also. Much prefer standard mode.

waddler said:

Steering weights up too much also. Much prefer standard mode.

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I still think there isn't enough steering weight, but I guess it's all personal opinion.

waddler said:

Steering weights up too much also. Much prefer standard mode.

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I've driven it less than a few minutes with the Sport mode ON, I really can't stand the ON/OFF throttle and prefer to modulate it with my foot.

I prefer the heavier steering feel of it although it is artificial.

If you only drive it in non-Sport mode you eventually get used to the light (IMHO) steering feel.

I wish it was heavier, it's light for a light car.

See, I'm more for Sport mode on.

I've used both and you do get used to them.....but the sharp throttle and (seemingly) faster feeling acceleration is great and IMO suits the alert nature of the car.

I think to emphasise the difference, Fiat have made the non-sport throttle TOO mushy, is mushier than average compared to other cars.

I think the steering is also far too light in normal mode.

In sport its a bit heavier but still pretty light, would prefer a bit heavier.

Personally I like the Sport mode for solo treat driving. I like the fact that the car has two characters: The lazy, gear skipping lope and the frenzied 'floor me' Sport mode.

What I found odd when we bought the 1.2 Dynamic to complement the 100hp was that the Dynamic steering is 'heavier' than the standard 100hp mode. Plus, the 1.1 and 1.2 engines tend to be revvier low down anyway, which makes them also fun.