I wonder if fitting Koni's at least on the rear, would be the best way to improve the ride?
Technical Koni damper experiment thread
- Thread starter rturner
- Start date
Currently reading:
Technical Koni damper experiment thread
Well that would, but he asked about tyres too
I received my shocks today and only ordered them from lark speed on Saturday, very pleased with the speedy delivery and looking forward to fitting them this weekend!
Wurz
New member
Thanks for your comments-will look forward to hearing how your dampers perform when you fit then this coming weekend. Will look at a 50 profile tyre, but from experience is there any particular brand? or stick with the original Goodyear Eagles? I've heard that Falken are a good buy......
Michelin Pilot Exalto 2 are very good in 50 profile, or Vredestein Sportrac 3's
babbo_umbro
Established member
Just completed 1200-mile drive to Italy (to find that the very cold winter has burst a pipe in the house - another story) with the new Konis on rear. Generally very positive - see earlier post (and I'm 65, you know) - the A1 between Bologna and Florence is incredibly ripply so it wasn't THAT comfortable but it didn't bounce. Belgian motorways are also bumpy/ripply and it was much improved on these. Definitely a recommended mod - but I'll be fitting them on the front as well (Maxi) when we get back in July and may experiment with setting on rear.
As an aside, we just avoided a car that had just ended up facing the wrong way in the slow lane - of two - in a bendy tunnel on this stretch of the A1 - half on the carriageway and half off, but facing a continuous stream of heavy lorries - dread to think what the outcome was.
deltaforce
New member
beeson100
New member
I'm still waiting for them unfortunately. It's been two weeks now but they did say they would be coming from Koni direct. I sent them an e-mail on Friday but no reply so far. As soon as I get them on the car I will let you know if there's any improvement. If there is I shall probably get the fronts too.
I suspect that for the majority of owners the STR.T approach could well be the right option. The dampers aren't adjustable, but are meant to be set at the softest setting of the sport damper (which is still pretty firm). They are also about half the price of the sport dampers. Depending on reviews, I'll certainly be tempted to put these on the front as the cost of front sport dampers was nudging £300....
Wurz
New member
Did a bit of research with my friendly garage and apparently Fiat are aware of the poor ride of the 100hp and have their own replacement front & rear shocks. Not cheap at £80 + vat each for the fronts and £60 + vat for the rears so £337 inc VAT for all 4 but hey, worth a try. Also got a deal on 50 ratio Dunlop SP Sports so am going to replace all 4. Going in this weekend for the work & I will let you all know the results. Hopefully a less bone-jarring ride! Oh, and I'll ask for the part no's of the shocks for info.
Hmmmmm that's the first I've ever heard about Fiat making alternative dampers for the 100hp. I'd take that with a huuuuuuuuuge bag of salt. Personally I think it's a complete load of borlocks.....
babbo_umbro
Established member
Sounds very interesting but I await the results with interest as Fiat don't have a history of this sort of upgrade.
Wurz
New member
Just rang my man, they are oem Fiat parts for normal Panda's but a softer rating to the 100hp. They will either work or not. If not, I'll ask for the originals to be put back. The only way to find out is to drive the car after fitting!
No! Don't do it!
That is completely the wrong thing to do and no self respecting garage will refund you after the dampers have been fitted to the car. The harshness of the rear suspension is not down to the dampers being too soft. It's down to the dampers/springs being mismatched and fitting dampers from a 1.2 is going to make things worse.
very very very bad idea......
Wurz
New member
What do you suggest as an alternative?
Have you had a look at the title of this thread?
Fitting 1.2 dampers is a reeeeeeeally really silly idea if I haven't already said it.
Listen to Maxi, he's talking sense.
This thread is about replacing the Fiat shocks with koni's. Read the whole thing and see if that is the way forward for you.
babbo_umbro
Established member
The rear end of the 100hp has the usual Fiat problem - under-damping on rebound - same on the front to a lesser extent. The rear springs on the 100hp are very stiff in an attempt to limit understeer - you could say they're too strong for the dampers. The answer is a 500 rear axle - later type with anti-roll bar to allow SOFTER springs - but fitting an uprated damper with greater rebound damping is the next best thing - umpteen people on this forum have done it and are generally agreed that it's a good idea. If you can put up with a looser feel and more understeer there is a case for softer rear springs but softer dampers with the standard springs is a really bad idea.
Wurz
New member
Thanks everyone, I've been back to my guy and said I'm not convinced and I asked him to look at the alternative Koni solution or any other recommendations Ah, the power of Forums & accumulated knowledge. Interesting about the 500 axle later type with roll bar - expensive methinks!
The rear dampers are also very very easy to change. All you need is a socket set and can be done at home. Don't let anyone charge you more than 45 mins to do the work on the rear.
