Well no joy with the blow torch so it went to the garage today. The guy had it all done in an hour and a half so it only cost me €100

So far it seems very good. The acceleration is better and I no longer get any wheel spin. It used to be that running to the red line in 1st, I got a bit of squeaking as I took 2nd, but now there's none at all and even pushing hard in 1st seems fine.

Going round a roundabout I felt I could do whatever speed I liked, the car just doesn't lean compared to before, it's just a matter of deciding at what point I'm going to be sick!

Braking seems much improved and even under hard braking I didn't manage to get any squeaking from, the tyres.

I also feel that I'm getting better feedback through the steering wheel.

My wife claims the ride is more comfortable too. I think she's right on a reasonably smooth road.

I did find that the car seems to follow undulations a bit more which was a bit strange and on very uneven roads it felt a bit skitish. The skitishness felt like it was coming more from the back so I'll have to check everything is OK there. One thing I did notice is that the plastic cups the rear springs sit in were pretty knackered and bits had fallen off, has anyone else noticed this?

So, tomorrow I'll take her for a longer drive and hopefully get a better idea of how it's going.

Thanks again to everyone who's helped with advice and particularly to Doc for his shock replacement guide.

Now you have the shocks and springs done start saving for the uprated ARB kit. It brings the Barchetta handling all together.

Did the ARB really add that much?

Time for a confession, I checked the back end of the car and found that the bolt on the off-side rear that attaches the bottom of the shock to the car had come completely off

I've always had a problem with over-tightening, but this time it seems I went the other way. Wife laughed a lot and threatened to post a pic on the forum, the cheek!

HEHHEHE LOL what you like

Its 50% shocks and springs and 50% ARB kit.

Thanks for the info Doc.

Well, all bolts in and seem secure even after a 30 minutes test. Drives even better now

Anyone else had problems with the cups the rear springs sit in having bits fall off of them?

Mine dont look great but still in one peace.

Thanks Doc, just curious. I don't suppose they effect anything as long as they're hole enough to hold the springs in place!

I'm still amazed that the ride comfort has improved with the new set-up. Mind you I haven't driven far yet so we'll see as the week goes on.

Mine is set for sport so its a bit of a hard ride. When I fitted the ARB kit things did settle down a bit more. Funny that as I did not expect it to.

This might be of interest:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230187647465

Brand new Eibach Springs - 99p, no reserve

Well, after much deliberation (and finger pointing from KC3 and Doc) I have ordered a set of springs to get LRB off stilts!!

I was holding out as I nearly sold LRB for another newer b but changed my mind at the last moment so decided to spend a little on the mod's I have put on the back burner!

I have ordered a set of Eibach's from the same place as KC in Germany, apparently 3 days shipping and I have saved at least £50 over the cheapest I was able to find in the UK! Downside is that I now have to decorate the hall as part of the deal!! I would like to change the shocks at the same time but they will have to wait.............

I will let you know when they turn up and take photies of my grazed knuckles and rusty nuts during the fitting!!!

What where you looking at, a face lift or a late early one?
You won't regret lowering the barchetta, it looks so much better and handles a lot nicer too ive found.
Nice one

Mark

I was looking at a late mk1 (not wild about the mk2) but in viewing realised how clean mine is - long story but I had a buyer for mine and I was looking at a later lower mileage mk1 but would have needed to put some more money into the transaction - car I looked at was very good but not really any cleaner than mine - just lower miles!!

As for the ride/handling I am looking forward to the change, I find my b very 'flickable' with the current set-up so cannot wait to see how much better it will be with new springs...! :slayer:

Your car does look very clean and would be a shame to let it go, better the devil you know right:devil:.
I find the Novitec springs on mine are great but it could still do with better anti roll bars. Though I added a strut on Christmas so dying to see the difference. You love it mate

mark

OZ Seicento said:

Your car does look very clean and would be a shame to let it go, better the devil you know right:devil:.

mark

Click to expand...

Probably hit the nail on the head there!!

Start putting the WD40 on while you await delivery

Mad Matt said:

Start putting the WD40 on while you await delivery

Click to expand...

:idea: Good idea :idea:

I am going to spend a couple of hours waxoyling the inner arches etc tomorrow so will give them a squirt while I am at it!

I really fancy a set of these before summer.



Better get my finger out and sell a few more servers I think!

I REALLY want to go that route but am constrained by cashflow at the moment, might go on the shopping list for the Autumn (if I can finish decorating the house and save enough - oh, and find another contract or full time job......)

hasn't this hallway decoration job not been on the list for half a decade?

RnRollie said:

hasn't this hallway decoration job not been on the list for half a decade?

Click to expand...

:shrug: Yup, but ask yourself the question where would you rather spend your time, decorating or playing with your b??

I have made some progress, put an order in to Screwfix today for the plug faces, lightswitches, and a bunch of other stuff........should not be too long and we will be ready to re-plaster, then all I have is the kitchen, downstairs loo, bathroom and master bedroom, then I can start on the new patio and landscaping the garden............. :bang: