Hi Folks,

I realise this subject has been discussed a lot and I have looked at a lot of threads but I can’t seem to find definitive answer.

I’d like to replace the Dampers and Springs on my 100HP. Ideally I want to go OEM and I am not too interested in lowering the car or fitting anything too expensive as the car doesn’t do too many miles, I just want to ensure that the car is in as healthy a condition as possible.

Can someone point me in the direction of like for like OEM dampers and springs please?

I realise some of you will recommend Bilstein or Koni etc but I really want something that will fit straight on the car with zero modifications etc from what I have seen with Koni etc they don’t fit straight on without changing other parts.

Thanks!

Rear Bilstein B4 - Gas Shock Absorber - 19-197227


looks right to me. You will need to double check. I don't have the 100HP.

But for the same ride look for the "B4" version

Thanks but I don’t know how to double check ha ha, that’s what I’m asking in the first place.

I was hoping someone who actually has a 100HP and has replaced all 4 shocks and springs with OEM equipment could post a link to where I can buy them.

yes the numbers correct

https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/305338-100hp-new-rear-dampers-bilstein-b4.html

I think I have found what I am looking for here. https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/fiat/panda-169/22540/10221/shock-absorber?criteria[100]=VL

are you looking for front or rear ?

All 4 corners mate. Springs, Dampers and whatever other components are related such as bump stops.

My 100HP has 85k miles on it and I want to spend a little cash on it trying to freshen the car up.

Cheers

I'm repeating myself but using Fiat 500 springs at the back vastly improves the ride and the handling. They stop the back end skipping about on it's over-hard OEM springs.

The 2015 500 springs I used did drop the ride height but adding another spring top rubber cushion to the spring bottom solved that and also serves to protect the axle spring pans.

It was a dirt cheap mod. Good springs (much better than on the car) complete with rubbers cost me £10 each. What's not to like? IMO do it anyway the result is so good.

However, they are simple single rate springs. If you can get rising rate all around then ignore my twaddle.


My plan (if not going rising rate) would be Bilsteins on the front as suggested above with the rear end done with 500 springs and maybe Bilstein dampers, but the softer springs actually work well with OEM spec dampers.

Bump stops go Bilstein all around with shorter ones at the back. OEM are much too long and contribute to the harsh ride. If you dont like the additional body roll then fit an ARB. IMO that's not really needed but some may not agree.

DaveMcT said:

I'm repeating myself but using Fiat 500 springs at the back vastly improves the ride and the handling. They stop the back end skipping about on it's over-hard OEM springs.

The 2015 500 springs I used did drop the ride height but adding another spring top rubber cushion to the spring bottom solved that and also serves to protect the axle spring pans.

It was a dirt cheap mod. Good springs (much better than on the car) complete with rubbers cost me £10 each. What's not to like? IMO do it anyway the result is so good.

However, they are simple single rate springs. If you can get rising rate all around then ignore my twaddle.


My plan (if not going rising rate) would be Bilsteins on the front as suggested above with the rear end done with 500 springs and maybe Bilstein dampers, but the softer springs actually work well with OEM spec dampers.

Bump stops go Bilstein all around with shorter ones at the back. OEM are much too long and contribute to the harsh ride. If you dont like the additional body roll then fit an ARB. IMO that's not really needed but some may not agree.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the insight Dave.


I really just want to fit like for like parts. Im not interested in modifying the car by fitting 500 parts or extra ARBs etc.


The car is nothing more than a run around for me so harsh ride etc doesn't concern me too much.


I want to replace the parts that are on the car currently with identical items.


Cheers

TBH, if you go for Bilsteins you are modifying the car.

My suggestion is you can reduce the costs by fitting 500 springs and OEM dampers at the back. They maintain the correct ride height and cost so little it's no biggie if you don't like the result.

If you fit rising rate springs all round with shorter rear bump stops, you will get a better ride but you will also get more body roll as you will with any softer spring. IMO that's just not worth worrying about. Fiat "solved" it with hard springs and long bump stops. The compromised ride and inability to keep the wheels on the road more than rules out any benefit.

Shop-4-Parts OEM spec fronts for 100HP by Magneti Marelli are £74 each. You will need to add bump stops and top bearings so likely £100 each side. Springs extra. Rears are £50 each. I'd guess you'd be looking at £400 to change springs dampers bump stops and top bearings: and you still have the hard ride.

DaveMcT said:

TBH, if you go for Bilsteins you are modifying the car.

My suggestion is you can reduce the costs by fitting 500 springs and OEM dampers at the back. They maintain the correct ride height and cost so little it's no biggie if you don't like the result.

If you fit rising rate springs all round with shorter rear bump stops, you will get a better ride but you will also get more body roll as you will with any softer spring. IMO that's just not worth worrying about. Fiat "solved" it with hard springs and long bump stops. The compromised ride and inability to keep the wheels on the road more than rules out any benefit.

Shop-4-Parts OEM spec fronts for 100HP by Magneti Marelli are £74 each. You will need to add bump stops and top bearings so likely £100 each side. Springs extra. Rears are £50 each. I'd guess you'd be looking at £400 to change springs dampers bump stops and top bearings: and you still have the hard ride.

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My 2007 100HP had (i think) Koni "ST-R" shocks fitted to the rear. Apparently this helped with the bounce from the standard model.


I never actually drove a standard 100HP but found mine quite acceptable although of course it was still pretty hardcore (IMO anyway)


I think there used to be two kinds of Koni - adjustable ones and the other ones which apparently were set pretty much in the middle of the adjustment settings.


Anyway....probably not of interest as its not OEM but there you go.

Koni "ST-R"shocks on the rear dramatically reduce the pogoing on uneven roads.

Punto MC said:

I never actually drove a standard 100HP but found mine quite acceptable although of course it was still pretty hardcore (IMO anyway)

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Guess you didn't see the turbo version with exhaust exit via the left front bumper?

DaveMcT said:

Guess you didn't see the turbo version with exhaust exit via the left front bumper?

Click to expand...

I did indeed hehe! Awesome thing.


I suppose i found the 100HP 'hardcore' because pretty much all of my other cars have been standard models.


The 100HP was great....and i'd have another. But with a young kid...and another on the way at the time...combined with the grin and bear it ride on poor roads...it was time to go.


But i loved it while it lasted!

The poor ride is the 100HPs biggest issue. No - its only issue.

Fiat blinged it up but cut corners on suspension. The rear springs are the same wire and helix as a 1.2 Dynamic but cut short so they are HARD. The dampers are standard Panda fare so they cant cope. Body roll is controlled with long bump stops that limit suspension travel. No wonder it feels like there are no springs in the back.
The fronts dont look anything special and the ride is lower so no doubt done the same was as the back.

Brakes are great. Engine is good with potential if anyone wants to breathe on it a bit. Interior is good.

I like it and with two school age kids space inside is no problem, but then we have another Panda as well.

So my little 100 needs new rear shocks and front wishbones. The plan was to go for the B12 kit but I cant find it anywhere. As I do very low miles (it has only done 46k in total), I was going to keep it standard-ish.

The current plan is to go for B4's but I cant find the front pair so now thinking B4's on rear, keep fronts for now BUT what do I do about springs? Wouldn't mind lowering it a bit but would also like to get it as compliant/comfy as possible? Anyone got good/bad experience of lowering springs?

I know you mentioned 500 springs, do these fit the front as well?
Do I need them for the front?

I've not tried 500 springs in the front but I guess they would work. At the back you need four rubber spring mounts as the 500 rides too low without the extra pair at the bottom end.

There is a recent thread https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/472332-100hp-axel-refurb-2.html where the OP fitted B4s all round with rising rate springs. Post 18 shows it rides about 1cm lower which is near enough OEM to my mind. This rising rate spring is more complaint over rough roads with full travel getting stiffer the harder its pushed. Ideal for 100HP IMO.

I fitted the 100HP spec front bottom arms they cost double the price of "ordinary" bottom arms but they are dimensionally identical. I assume** having wider wheels, Fiat wanted stiffer bushes for the 100HP so the standard type might make the steering feel soggy. One of mine had fallen apart and caused tramlining on motorways but the car handing felt ok on normal roads.

** My point about wider wheels only partly stacks up because the diesels use the same arms as every other Panda 169 and the weighty diesel will always stress the front suspension more than a 1.2 petrol.

I suspect the 100HP would be fine on standard bottom arms.

I have managed to get a set of 4 B4's. Now just need to decide on springs....

docklander1973 said:

I have managed to get a set of 4 B4's. Now just need to decide on springs....

Click to expand...

If you have the money rising rates are the best. I would also go for near enough standard ride height. Lowering the car only works for a billiard table smooth race track. In the real world, a reasonable ride and ability to cope with road bumps is far more important. Rally cars are not lowered and they handle ok.

I have other, super firm riding cars. Happy to make the Panda more compliant. Do you have a link for the rising rate springs?