Technical "Sportlines" Problem

[Wattam]

Hi, I've been around the forum a while now, but never really posted so i'm new in that sense. Anyway the problem is i bought these sportlines from larkspeed just over a year ago, when they arrived the box said pro-kit / sportlines, and the label on the side said it was for a fiat punto 188 (which to my knowledge isnt a grande) so i rang them and they reassured me it was for a grande, from the 1.2 model up to and including the 1.9.

I had them fitted on my 1.4 for almost a year with no problems, traded in the car for a 1.9mjet sporting, and had the springs swapped over as larkspeed told me they were compatable, but looking at everyone elses sportlines, my rear has barely dropped, and the front wheels are almost dissapeared under the arches. Doesn't quite look like it should. I'm going to ring them in the morning as i've dug out the receipt. I've also checked and they stock the sportlines for a 1.9, which lower 40-45mm front and 30mm rear, does that sound right for the sportlines im looking for?

Many thanks in advance, James.

 

[Reuuk]

I've heard of a few people talking of the springs being different for the 1.2/1.4 to the 1.9's
the 1.9s have a much heavier lump so the front will come down a little more..

Have you checked if they have been fitted properly? on the mounts..
if this helps heres mine on Sportlines (best side shot i got haha)

 

[GavinAshford]

The springs between the 1.2/1.4 and then 1.4T-Jet/1.3D/1.9D are definitely different. To me if they were on the box as Punto 188 then they're the wrong ones, they should be 199. But you'd need the part number printed on each spring to be sure - its not unknown for the wrong springs to end up in the wrong box.

 

[Wattam]

Thanks for the comments so far, and the pic. Mine looks a fair bit higher than that at the back though (can fit my fist in the arch gap) i cant check the part number of the individual springs as theyre on the car, but i've had a look at the details from the part number i have and the max load weight at the front is 50kg less than the ones i need, and with there being 2 different sets of springs for different engines im pretty sure theres got to be some difference somewhere. Spoken to larkspeed this morning and theyre digging out the invoices from over a year ago, and last time i heard from them they were giving eibach a phone call, so hopefully something can be done. At the end of the day the invoice says grande punto springs, and the box says punto 188, so that seems like i have a strong leg to stand on

 

[Wattam]

Just another quick question, im after the sportlines with the biggest drop possible, those are the 40 - 45mm front - 30mm rear right? Cheers.

 

[Wattam]

Problem solved, spoken to them again and they've said it looks like i have the wrong springs, but with it being almost 18 months, and being in constant use theres not much they can do as far as a straight swap goes, but as a good will gesture they will give me 50% off the sportlines of my choice, and obviously keep the old ones.

So they'll be going up on classifieds when ive checked the individual part numbers of each spring. Thanks for your input

 

[GavinAshford]

Good news, and good to see good customer service too, even 18months on.

Just make sure they're not in this GP section's classifieds if/when you find they're not for the GP

 

[Wattam]

Scratch that haha, i placed the order for the mjet springs at 50% off, and just recieved a phone call off them asking why i ordered mjet springs when my original order was for a 1.4. I explained i put them on my new mjet because i was told they were for a 1.2 up to a 1.9, they then said its because its a diesel that they dont fit... this is after they admitted the springs they sent were for a punto mk2. so my orders been cancelled and im left with mk2 springs that he claims fit a grande 1.4, even though they have a different part number.

If im going to have to spend money on new springs and fitting i think im just gonna go for some of the budget coilovers, either jom or fk ​

 

[Reuuk]

If im going to have to spend money on new springs and fitting i think im just gonna go for some of the budget coilovers, either jom or fk ​

shame about that.

I personally would just go and buy the correct springs. I wouldn't want 'budget' items on a 1.9 mjet.
remember there Budget for a reason.

 

[Wattam]

I know, its just too tempting, and kinda leaning towards FKs. Theres a trader on here selling them for £150 with a years warranty, and i've been swatting up on reviews recently, the only bad reviews seem to be from vw golf owners that have them as low as they go and spaced out crazy amounts, but a lot of good reviews from GP owners. At the end of the day i'm not going to be pushing them performance wise, or having them dropped all the way, but at £150 theyre worth a shot.

 

[Mjet220]

Wish i just got cheap coilovers i purchased springs and my front shock broke changing them so, in theory would of been cheaper just to get coilies