Technical Shock Absorbers - your advice guys...

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Technical Shock Absorbers - your advice guys...

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My son's 2.0D M-jet Sport has reached 80K and the ride is getting quite crashy. So I'm looking to replace front and rear dampers.

I guess because there are so few Bravos in the UK, there's not a huge selection available. Seems limited to:

Monroe
KYB
Sachs
Bilstein.

Bilstein do several options, from simple OEM replacement to their yellow sport shocks (at a commensurately high price!).

Anyone replaced thier dampers or have any views..?
 
Well...over 100 views and not a single comment! So I take it no-one on here has had to change dampers yet!

So, for information, after some research I have determined the following:

  • Bravo rear dampers are common to all models and available widely from a selection of makers.
  • Bravo front dampers differ depending on model. On smaller-engined cars, the damper tube has an external diameter of 58mm, whereas cars with Sport spec require a damper tube of 75mm diameter. And these Sport dampers are like hen's teeth! The only maker I found who produce them are Sachs - and direct from FIAT of course (at great expense!).
And the question you all want the answer to - was it worth changing? At 80,000 miles, without hesitation it's worth it! The ride quality has massively improved and what was a really 'crashy' suspension is now quiet and nice and supple.
 
That's good research there I always thought they were the same across the range

If I ever needed to replace mine (which hopefully won't be for a while) I would prefer the bilstien sport set up similar to the one fitted to my old Schumacher. They were awesome!

I agree gadge! But sadly Bilstein don't make them in the 75mm tube size, so not available for my son's 165 M-jet Sport.

But the Bilstein Yellows are still going strong on my Schumi...
 
Well...over 100 views and not a single comment! So I take it no-one on here has had to change dampers yet!

I am using the Bilstein/Eibach B12 Pro Kit, E90-30-012-01-22. You can search for my short review, but in general: not a huge difference from the stock Sport ones, but then again, I opted for the Pro Kit, not the Sport Kit.

I haven't tried them on track though, maybe there's where they will shine.
 
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Hey Phil,

Thanks for posting this question re: shocks front and rear.

I have a 1.4Tjet Sport and am desperately looking at replacing my stuffed shocks ( front and rear ) Bravoisimo has now 145000km on and the drive is not great, squeaky with lots of body roll.

My right hand front shock has failed so i assume all the others needs replacement.

Here in South Africa we can get the following OEM:
- KYB ( WHich is supposedly stiffer but does not get great reviews regarding qualtity- and is rather middlw of the cost range )
- Monroe's gas OEM from my local parts dealer at a great price ( I have contacts (y)
- Bilstein B12 Pro-Kit ( expensive but seems to be the best upgrade)
- here is the eBay link http://www.ebay.com/itm/Eibach-Bils..._DefaultDomain_77&hash=item51cbbb059b&vxp=mtr

I was thinking of getting the Eibach Pro Kit springs and fitting the Monroes/ or KYBs as this will be a better cost decision.

Picture of my baby:


Your comments and advice will be most welcome

Cheers
Ads:cool:
 
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I am using the Bilstein/Eibach B12 Pro Kit, E90-30-012-01-22. You can search for my short review, but in general: not a huge difference from the stock Sport ones, but then again, I opted for the Pro Kit, not the Sport Kit.

I haven't tried them on track though, maybe there's where they will shine.

Lyubohar,

Im also considering getting this system as it will not lower the car much ( already a problem with speed bumps here in South Africa) but as Phill said our SPort cars need the 78mm tube

I assume they will fit my car also - 2010 1.4Tjet Sport??

thanks for the comment..:)
 
Bravo811 - unless the road surfaces in your part of SA are really good, I would think very carefully before your proposed suspension 'upgrade'. Yes, Eibachs will give you more sporty handling, but at the inevitable expense of ride quality. You might be better to go for good quality dampers (like the Bilsteins or KONI yellows) but keep your stock springs.

Just my two penn'orth...
 
Bravo811 - unless the road surfaces in your part of SA are really good, I would think very carefully before your proposed suspension 'upgrade'. Yes, Eibachs will give you more sporty handling, but at the inevitable expense of ride quality. You might be better to go for good quality dampers (like the Bilsteins or KONI yellows) but keep your stock springs.

Just my two penn'orth...

Your penny is worth more than our money dude...hehehe:bang:

OUky Yellow, you have made me think here and 2 scenarios/ questions come to mind:
1: what actually makes your ride "better" ie. less body roll, better stability etc. Springs or shocks?? ( eibach website has video showing what the springs can do with standard shocks)
2: due to the cost of such an B12 kit and the roads being a veriety of good and bad - I was thinking of going towards Monroe Gas and Eibach Pro Kit Springs ( a combination that will save me 1000s)

How do you guys see these? ( i.e. help:confused:)

Much thanks
:cool:
 
Having fitted Eibachs to several cars in the past, I can confirm that they produce a definite improvement in handling. By which I mean less roll in corners and less pitching and diving under acceleration and braking. They also reduce the ride height.

However, I can also confirm they make the ride significantly firmer. By which I mean more jarring over bumps and potholes. Many people are happy to trade off a deterioration in ride quality for the tighter handling. That's a decision only you can make...

So in answer to your question 1, (in my opinion) springs have the greatest effect on handling and dampers have the greatest effect on ride.
 
Having fitted Eibachs to several cars in the past, I can confirm that they produce a definite improvement in handling. By which I mean less roll in corners and less pitching and diving under acceleration and braking. They also reduce the ride height.

However, I can also confirm they make the ride significantly firmer. By which I mean more jarring over bumps and potholes. Many people are happy to trade off a deterioration in ride quality for the tighter handling. That's a decision only you can make...

So in answer to your question 1, (in my opinion) springs have the greatest effect on handling and dampers have the greatest effect on ride.

Hey Phil,

I trust you are having a good day!!

Thanks so much for the effort to answer my questions.(y)

So i am nearing a decision with possibly new Koni STRT shocks front and back and keeping the standard sport springs on the car - atleast untill i can get a better idea of what the Eibachs will do.

Would you agree with this kind of thinking?

Thanks mate
:cool:
 
The shocks you need depend on the width of the control arm and gap between the 2 bottom mounting bolts on the shocks. I believe the lower power cars are 58mm and the higher power use 74mm stilo gear. The bolt sizes are also different.

If it is the 58mm size I have a pair of unused bilstein b8s for sale. If it is the 74mm I can help with the koni part number - I got the konis from demon tweeks.
 
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