Tuning Abarth Esseesse suspension

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Tuning Abarth Esseesse suspension

flintymginty

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I took the Abarth 500 Esseesse out today whilst at Rockingham and drove the Esseesse and mine back to back along the same roads.

As per my other post, the tyres made a big difference today in the wet.

Otherwise, I couldn't find anything else to make me spend £2500+ on the upgrade, apart from the suspension.

Does anyone know exactly what changes the Esseesse kit does to the suspension? I am looking for what brand springs they use, what the lowering distance is and what features they have (i.e harder, softer)? I seem to think it lowers the car by 10mm but am not sure.

This is the only thing I want to change on mine now as I think the ride height at the back is a little high and I think a better suspension set up would improve the handling. I like the anthracite alloys, but reckon I can do that with the multispokes I have just brought for a steal.

I couldn't really feel any significant performance increase between the 135 and 160bhp as they seem to drive the same.

Many thanks,
 
you're right...the only A500 owners that seem to rave about the ss upgrade are (unsurprisingly) those that have been relieved of the £2500!

i couldn't tell the difference either, well except for a painfully harder ride....but visit the godawful abarthforum and try saying that - you'll get a rabid pack of ss sucker-owners that are desperate to convince everyone, and themselves, that it was worth every last penny. :)
 
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The slightly harsher ride is enough to put me off. I don't mind the wheels, the brakes are better, the lowered height looks better aesthetically and improves handling, but you're right, the power increase is barely noticeable, especially if the A500 is producing over 135 HP in the first place (161 BHP standard according to one owner) You can trade your old wheels in sometimes if you ask nicely and get the kit for £2k which is reasonable considering you get new wheels/tyres, bigger/better brakes, new springs, more power AND a two year warranty with it. But then again, you're not gonna get £2k back when you come to sell it. I reckon, second hand, an SS will only be worth £500 to £1000 more over a normal one.
 
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