Car needs new shocks and springs

markship · May 21, 2016

My 2001 C4 has 95k miles on it and needs the shocks updated, I have bben trying to get a handle on what to do next;
1. Fit standard springs and shocks
2. Go for the M030 shocks, springs and roll bars
3. Go for B6 shocks with M030 springs
4. Go mad and fit Ohlins POZ MN02
Car will not be used on track just bumpy rural roads. Any thoughts or advice will be very gratfully received as I dont want to turn the car into a gokart, just sort it out and get the benefits of modern materials.

philippe · May 21, 2016

Around 3 years ago I went for the M030 from OPC the price was very good for what you get. The drive is great as well very pleased with the set up the car now sits a little lower but not to low. You do feel pot hols more but it's made up by how tight everything feels when pressing on especially on B roads.

This is with the sports exhaust makes it that much better.

My my car is also a 3.4 C4.

Cheers phil

C2dweller · May 22, 2016

I have fitted the m030 kit to a number of cars and the results are amazing. Car retains its excellent road manners but noticeably stiffer.
The downside is that they are out of stock (but you can do some tricks with other juts to make it cheaper).
In doing all this don't forget you will need to spend on other suspension parts too:
Top mounts / bearings - almost certainly
Coffin arms - possibly
Link arms - possibly
And last of all, make sure you get the GEO properly set-up, or else it's money wasted.
Overall, this job is the best way to transform a car with >70k miles.

Pieman7 · May 22, 2016

When I bought my c4s I thought that it was a very rough ride and I felt some issues from underneath and as you say c2dweller I put it in for a geometry check they came back with some other issues like drop links. Once I had new tyres fitted first then had the geometry done the transformation was unbelievable.

spyderman · May 22, 2016

If it's going to be used on "bumpy rural roads" you certainly don't want the M030 kit - you'll hate it.

pse_SC · May 22, 2016

M033 perhaps?

markship · May 22, 2016

I ran the car as was for a good few months trying to adapt to the feel of the car but had little or no confidence in it. Took it to OPC for geo sort out but it felt worse after that! Managed to get a slot up at CG with Chris, having already changed out all the old creaking thumping bits on the suspension. Chris and co did a fantastic job on the car, sorted the geo out a treat. He advised me to run it for 12 months and then get the shocks and springs changed out. Have been putting it off for various domestic reasons but after a run the other day feel it has to be done. The present springs have settled (Chris's term) dropping the car around 20mm to standard. Thanks for comments so far. Has anyone changed the standard B4 shocks for the B6's with standard springs? Too many options! My roads are rural South West Wales for any that have ventured over this way, varying between great and a rough rally stage.