New dampers Carrera S2

[johnedwards]

I am proposing to fit new shockabsorbers to my 1997 Carrera S2. Does anybody know of an alternative to the standard Monroes other than Bilstein Sports. I fitted Bilsteins to a Merc some years ago and they never did really soften up. I really do not wish to make the suspension any stiffer than it already is.
Thanks in advance for any views.

 

[968er]

I really have to ask why you bought a 993 and want a soft ride?

These cars only start to show what they are capable of once they have some proper damping. The munroes are like marshmallows and compromise the handling of a great car. Fitting Bilstein HD's will not give a stiff ride, but a compliant one.

 

[johnedwards]

It's not a soft ride I'm looking for just not a bone cruncher.

 

[AlexG]

Bilsteins won't give you a bone cruncher ride - in the unlikely event that you are in R15 drop me a line and I'll demo []

Personally I would prefer a harder ride, but then the co-pilot might not be so willing to come along for the flight []

 

[johnedwards]

Thanks AlexG, but I live in France, which is why I am a non member.
Could you say if you find the Bilsteins to be any harder at all than the Monroes. My missus finds the car rather uncomfortable at the moment and if it were any firmer I would never get her in it. At the same time I am going to replace the wishbones and I propose using the RS version as I understand the rubber to be firmer and therefore gives a better location but this will not firm up the ride. I think perhaps the 18" wheels and lower profile tyres, apart from looking great do not add to the comfort.
Look forward to hearing from you.
John.

 

[AlexG]

John - to be honest I don't know, the monroes that I removed were some way past their best so any comparisons made by me would be 'unfair'; however, yes it did firm things up but that was the main reason for changing the shocks.

I changed the springs and anti roll bars at the same time for MO30 items and I still think that the ride is comfortable on all but the very worst surfaces. Incidentally I have 18's (standard on a C4S).

The whole problem with answering questions like this is that it is so subjective - I think the setup I have is a good compromise between comfort and performance, so it is good for road driving, but I suspect woud quickly be a limiting factor on a track day (which I don't do so it doesn't matter []).

Not sure whether this will be any help or not...

 

[RichardLW]

I imagine that Bilsteins and standard springs would be no problem at all, especially in France with the smoother roads. I have to admit that my M030 springs, turbo rollbars and Bilstein HDs is a bit wearing on many UK A & B roads.

Richard

 

[pse_SC]

I think perhaps the 18" wheels and lower profile tyres, apart from looking great do not add to the comfort.

That would be more the reason, I believe. But whereas 18s make a lot of difference on the crap roads in this country, you have the advantage of better roads (generally) there!

 

[johnedwards]

Thanks AlexG this will give me something to think about before I arrive at the specialist on Wednesday.
Richard LW. Unfortunately living out in the sticks down here I can assure you that many of the secondary roads are equally as bad as the UK. What you say about your mods is something I find worrying, as I have my missus to consider as well. If I wish to use the car to go out to lunch then I most certainly have to think of my wife.
pse_SC Comments as for Richard apply. I am beginning to think I will have to stick with the short life of the Monroes. Have to say I managed 4000ks during this last year, so they should keep me happy for a while. I remember well, with my 928s never thinking the damping, in standard form, wasn't up to scratch. I am certainly not a trackday person, I like to watch but it ends there. Most of my pleasure comes from just driving and appreciating being in a superbly engineered product.
Many thanks to all for your informed comments and help. I will try to remember to report back on what I finally decide and how it performs next week.

 

[johnedwards]

Thanks Maurice.
Unfortunately too late now. Sad really as I could have bought the Bilsteins for about the same price as the Monroes.Garage had a problem with something that wouldn't come apart. Not quite sure on the phone (French in the Var) but will no doubt understand face to face when I pick up the car. As said, will report when I try it.
John.

 

[Guest]

I know this is too late in this case, but I did exactly John was intending with my C2S, ie. Bilstein HDs with the original M033 and RS front wishbones. The Bilsteins are a tiny bit firmer than the Monroes, but the result of this far better body control and almost no pitch/dive under braking/acceleration. Ride is lovely too, still very compliant thanks to the M033. Highly recommended set up for a C2S used on UK roads.

 

[johnedwards]

Well I have her back.
Ride now far more controlled and as for the darting across the road when going over undulating roads at speed when it seemed to have a mind of it's own, this has also stopped. The darting will have been cured by the new wishbones as the rubber in the old ones was well past it's sell by date.
The old dampers could be pushed in and out by a toddler.
Anyone heard of Igol F1 Ceramic oil. This is what the specialist used when he changed it.
Thanks again to everybody for your views. When I have done another 40K or so I will try the Bilsteins. That could be 10yrs or so at the current rate. Still I just love to sit in my deck chair and look at her.
John.