Bilstein HDs Fitted to M033

[algray]

I had the Bilstein HDs fitted to my car last week, The work was done by Porsche Northway and OPC Reading for the Corner Balance and alignment.

My 993 has the M033 setup, it now rides firmer sharper but not harsh, I would not want the suspension to be any firmer than it is now.
I did not use JZ because of the distant even though they had all the equipment in-house to do all the alignment and corner Balance, the quote I got for the alignment and Corner balance from JZ was the same as OPC which was just crazy IMO.

My 993 has aprox. 70K miles on the clock the suspension was badly worn, I guess the signs were there but since I did buy the car new it was difficult to tell if this was normal.



These were my symptoms;
1. Excessive correcting of the steering at speeds above 90 m/hr
2. Hitting a bump/pothole mid corner would cause the car to go off-line
3. The front felt like it was floating at speeds
4 very poor feedback almost a lazy type of feedback

With Bilsteins HDs fitted.
1. Very stable at speeds, the car now feels planted
2. very stable while cornering
3. very good feedback from the road surface

I would recommend this as one of the first things to do even if your car has lower mileage than mine, these car are now getting on a bit. 993 owners with M033 setup, don't change your M033 for M030, The M033 works brilliantly with Bilstein HDs IMO.

I went for height of 5mm lower than M033(144mm ) , so hopefully when the suspension settles down I would expect the suspension to be about 2 to 5mm lower.

AG

 

[Sundeep]

good info there AG..

FMI.. what is the difference between the M033 (OEM ?) and M030 (lowered) set up

although I think I already suffer from the 4 points you have listed ? although hope to have it tested by a friend next week.... []

 

[38F3E1]

M033 is standard suspension parts but lowered a little. M030 has stiffer springs and anti-roll bars (and is also lowered to the same height as M033).

Carnewal has the following parts listed in their M030 kit (list below doesn't show shock absorbers as they can be either factory or bilstein).

- M030 springs.
- 22 mm stabilizer bar for the front
- 2x 22mm rubber bushing for the front stabilizer
- left and right front drop link.
- special bolts for the front drop links.
- 20 mm stabilizer bar for the rear.
- 2x 20mm rubber bushing for the rear stabilizer.
- rear drop links.

I don't know if the M030 factory shock absorbers are the same as standard or uprated.

Ian.

 

[algray]

Thanks Sundeep, tJust to add to Ian_uk's comments the Difference between M030 and M033 is M033 uses a stiffer spring while M033 is uses a softer spring than the M030,. The are both lowered to the same height . I do believe the same shocks are used in both.

AG

 

[algray]

FYI

 

[968er]

AG,

You may have solved my problem and also some money.

I have been bouncing around all of the options and had decided that I was going to get Gert's special HD's and H&R springs, even though I have M033 springs fitted as I was worried that they would be a good match.

Out of interest has any body fitted the Bilstein and H&R spring setup?

 

[algray]

ORIGINAL: 968er

AG,

You may have solved my problem and also some money.

I have been bouncing around all of the options and had decided that I was going to get Gert's special HD's and H&R springs, even though I have M033 springs fitted as I was worried that they would be a good match.

Out of interest has any body fitted the Bilstein and H&R spring setup?

968er

I would suggest keeping your M033, but if you plan to use yourcar for mainly for track days, then I guess you would prefer the "Rock Hard" setup.
My car now feels like new I'm guessing since I never had a 993 new[8D]
Maybe we should have a poll to see how many people went down the M033 & bilstein route, this might help you to make a decision.


AG

 

[38F3E1]

I prefer the ride of the M030, it's certainly not harsh.

I agree. I am a big fan of M030 with Bilsteins and I am currently having my car converted from M033 to M030. However any 993 with new shock absorbers will be transformed whatever the springs used. My standard shock absorbers are completely knackered at 27K miles and the car is awful to drive.

Ian.

 

[Sundeep]

interesting, not a fan of shorter springs...

but with a M030 set up, I thinking about just getting the spring and keeping the OEM roll bars rather than going up to the full M030 set up with the thikcer bars.....

out of interest what size are the OEM roll bars ?


regards

 

[968er]

As the m033 springs are not progressive have now ordered the Bilsteins and H&R springs.

That should sort out the squidgy handling[]

 

[algray]

[
[/quote]

Al, M033 uses a shorter spring to obtain the lower ride height, while M030 uses a progressive rate spring. Having driven both, I prefer the ride of the M030, it's certainly not harsh. Also the shocks have different valving and hence different part numbers for all options.

just for clarification , cheers, Maurice []
[/quote]

I think people Are missing my point, what I have been trying to say all along , is if you are still running around on the same shocks from new change it. It does not matter if your car as done 10 miles or 100K miles, or its a early 993 or the last of the 993s. I asked about my shocks at the 24k service last year, I was told it was ....this was not the case.

One thing I do know is even if to quote M033 with Bilstein HDs is not as good as M030 with Bilsteins, it is a darn site better than what I had previously, and lets face it we will always prefer different things.

AG

 

[Sundeep]

ORIGINAL: algray


I think people Are missing my point, what I have been trying to say all along , is if you are still running around on the same shocks from new change it. It does not matter if your car as done 10 miles or 100K miles, or its a early 993 or the last of the 993s. I asked about my shocks at the 24k service last year, I was told it was ....this was not the case.

One thing I do know is even if to quote M033 with Bilstein HDs is not as good as M030 with Bilsteins, it is a darn site better than what I had previously, and lets face it we will always prefer different things.

AG

agreed !

I think we were all being picky ! [:-]

 

[Guest]

billies fitted and set up today at 9m

fantastic difference in ride quality - feels like a new car - really controlled over roughter stuff and doesnt shake your fillings out.

Sits alittle lower than it did and running their own fast road alignment settings

car has 50k on the clock - and old shocks were well past the sell by date!

 

[968er]

Porkapig,

Is that you Marc?

What settings did you choose at 9M?

 

[Guest]

yep thats me!

P*0 RKA pig really

settings - eventually just asked them to set it up with what they recommended for fast road - seems to work - dont know where i put the damn print out sheet :-(

looks like slightly increased -ve camber on rear and if anything less -ve camber on front than it did have? - definately feels much better on the new shocks

marc

 

[algray]

ORIGINAL: Sundeep993

ORIGINAL: algray


I think people Are missing my point, what I have been trying to say all along , is if you are still running around on the same shocks from new change it. It does not matter if your car as done 10 miles or 100K miles, or its a early 993 or the last of the 993s. I asked about my shocks at the 24k service last year, I was told it was ....this was not the case.

One thing I do know is even if to quote M033 with Bilstein HDs is not as good as M030 with Bilsteins, it is a darn site better than what I had previously, and lets face it we will always prefer different things.

AG

agreed !

I think we were all being picky ! [:-]

Thanks Sundeep



I feel I must respond regarding M033 setup. This information, is for anyone who thinking of replacing worn.

Bilstein HD and HDs were designed to be a direct replacement for standard shocks on 993, Bilsteins will work very well with standard springs, M033 and M030.

BTW the spring rate of the M033 and H&R are virtually the same.

AG

 

[968er]

AG,

I for one was not being picky, just very interested in what you were having done.

My decision was whether to keep the M033 springs, or change them as had been recommended to me by the Porsche specialist I use.

In the end decided to replace both just in case the springs were begining to get a little tired. Can't wait for them to arrive and get them fitted as my ride is definately deteriorating.

 

[Stewart Rix]

I've been toying with the idea of HD's for a while, but can someone clarify whether I need the 'special long thread' versions that Gert at Carnewel sells to keep the lower ride height of my M033 springs?

Stewart

 

[968er]

Stewart,

Gert wrote to me to say that the threaded version was if you wanted to take it as low as RS height and the standard ones will take you to at least M030 height on a ROW car.

 

[Guest]

unless you want rs ride height the normal billies are fine.

have checked my springs - they are m033 - plenty stiff and low for general use - i am a big fan of a more supple ride anyhow.

would have thought 18's on anything stiffer than m033 for uk b roads would be a bit of a shell flexer imo?

suppose it depends if you drive your car on b roads (or a roads in wales/cumbria) faster than 50mph ;-)

if you leave your car in the garage and polish it i imagine ride height and ride quality arent really an issue ;-)