Seems my 2006 1.9MJET Sporting has an appetite for springs and shock absorbers despite spending most of time on the M4 in Wales. Today I passed the MOT but got a caution for rear springs, which were replaced under warranty at 45k miles (now I've got 85k). Since front springs tend to cease every 30k miles, I expect to have to fork out for all 4 springs to be replaced at some point before next MOT, so my question is, which springs are going to last on the 1.9 GP? Mind you, I do not wish to lower the car; Similarly, I expect the shock absorbers to start leaking anytime soon, so, which shock absorbers are going to give me more than 40k miles? Bear in mind 90% of my driving is on the motorway and on A-roads, I am not looking for a hard, uncompromised set up. All I want is something slightly more comfortable than the current set up and something that will last more than 40k miles without costing a small fortune! Am I asking too much?

Id look at bilstein dampers

caution (advisory?) for rear springs Either broke or they ain't surely.

Some places give an advisory if they are very rusty now lol

punto_matt said:

Some places give an advisory if they are very rusty now lol

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Which is the case here! Well guessed mate.

Years ago I replaced my Tipo's shock absorbers with KYB, they were absolutely brilliant. I'll check Bilstein too, any other suggestions please?

Nearside front coil spring snapped yesterday, this is the third time it's happening! First was at 44k miles (June 2009), then at 73k miles (December 2010), now at 113k miles. Seems the Welsh part of the M4 is built like a dirt track, not a motorway. Anyway, I decided to replace all coils and shocks, got an excellent deal from SES in Swansea, Kayaba (KYB) Excel-G shocks £181.98, Kayaba (KYB) K-flex coils £125.43. It worked out cheaper than Fiat parts! I did not want to lower the vehicle and having been very pleased with KYB in the past on a Fiat Tipo, I decided to give them another try. Hope this time round the suspension parts will last more than 2 years. First impressions of the new set up will follow soon.

punto_matt said:

Some places give an advisory if they are very rusty now lol

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A spring can be broken now from what I hears and still pass as long as it is still seated correctly/safely.

georgios1976 said:

Nearside front coil spring snapped yesterday, this is the third time it's happening! First was at 44k miles (June 2009), then at 73k miles (December 2010), now at 113k miles. Seems the Welsh part of the M4 is built like a dirt track, not a motorway. Anyway, I decided to replace all coils and shocks, got an excellent deal from SES in Swansea, Kayaba (KYB) Excel-G shocks £181.98, Kayaba (KYB) K-flex coils £125.43. It worked out cheaper than Fiat parts! I did not want to lower the vehicle and having been very pleased with KYB in the past on a Fiat Tipo, I decided to give them another try. Hope this time round the suspension parts will last more than 2 years. First impressions of the new set up will follow soon.

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The 1.9 seems very heavy on springs and the suspension in general, I would definitely upgrade away from stock parts.

Re: Re: coil springs, shock absorbers

T14086 said:

A spring can be broken now from what I hears and still pass as long as it is still seated correctly/safely.

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Iv jus been told off a friend of mine very trusted machanic for over 30 years that I need to change my spring as it wnt pass its mot otherwise

T14086 said:

The 1.9 seems very heavy on springs and the suspension in general, I would definitely upgrade away from stock parts.

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I agree, it seems lots of diesel cars from all brands have a tendency to snap springs, except the Japanese for some reason! I really like the Grande Punto, it was very well designed in 2005 and feel its design has stood the test of time well. It is also well engineered too, it has been exceptionally reliable, engine-wise. It is always silly things that let the side down, stuff that should have been sorted before the car was launched. I never had issues with suspension with any of my Fiats (Uno mk1 and mk2, Tipo, Punto mk1). I only replaced shocks on my Tipo at 125,000 miles. Thing is, I lately felt that my grande punto rode quite stiff on the motorway, hence I was planning to replace the suspension all-round. I hope KYB will make the car's ride more pliant, and will give me more thatn 40k miles!