S2 Suspension Refresh - Suggestions

Rtwoodstock · Jan 9, 2015

I have a '89 S2 and it has 114,000 miles. It is serviced by local independent specialist - Anything that is required to be done is done exactly when it is supposed to be (belts etc.) - All the major usual things have been done in the name of preventative maintenance. There is no corrosion or any other looming issues. So, in short, I thought my task (and budget for this year) should perhaps go into the suspension. I am not mechanical at all so all the work will be done by the local independent.

The car does about 10,000 miles a year almost exclusively on long European jaunts and a bit of back and forth to Stockholm where I spend half my time. The suspension is original and I would very much like to refresh it to try and get some of the great feel of the car back and have it be less keen to softly dive into corners on tight mountain roads on top of the Pyrenees etc and lose some of the slight wallowing feel it now has.

Thought, it may be helpful to get at least some idea of what the current thinking in terms of suspension refresh for these cars is and what sort of budget is realistic. I don't want to go crazy but by the same token I don't want to a cheapskate about it either.

Many thanks for any advice.

Monkeythree · Jan 9, 2015

Discussed fairly recently and the same subject comes up here fairly regularly. I think I can summarise as follows:

OE parts from Porsche if you want it standard.
KW V3 if you want adjustability and are likely to take it on track
Koni or Bilstein if you want something inbetween.

DavidL · Jan 9, 2015

Search is your friend as this topic comes up every other week.
KW3s are the dogs danglies but expensive - 1400 for the bits plus fitting. Gaz adjustables are similar in their operation but cheaper.
You can put koni inserts into your existing struts too which is popular and a good bit cheaper.
And lots of other options which no doubt people will suggest or you will read about.

Rtwoodstock · Jan 9, 2015

Ah, all apologies and many thanks, I did do a search but not much came up on point. I will try different criteria. Many thanks.

Chrishazle · Jan 9, 2015

S2's and 968's are pretty similar, so a search on 968uk could help a lot as many 968 owners have played with ARB's, bushings, shocks etc, and K300 (the owner of 968uk) is a good source of suspension parts (with a discount for forum members!) including Konis, Bilsteins etc.

Once you've updated the suspension, factor in a proper 4 wheel tracking set-up (Hunter or similar) - apparently you will not regret it!

ChasR · Jan 9, 2015

ORIGINAL: DavidL

Search is your friend as this topic comes up every other week.
KW3s are the dogs danglies but expensive - 1400 for the bits plus fitting. Gaz adjustables are similar in their operation but cheaper.
You can put koni inserts into your existing struts too which is popular and a good bit cheaper.
And lots of other options which no doubt people will suggest or you will read about.

What he said

.

Gaz adjustables can be considered but the bodies will need protecting for longevity. That could be many coats of lacquer, greasing the bodies and wrapping them in tape (or at the very least doing this to the threads) or a combination of the lot.

wibble · Jan 9, 2015

On bushings I recommend polybush, upgrade front wishbone rear bush (968 version - Hartech). If budget allows replace lower wishbone joint (hartech refurbs or DIY). New rubber and promise you will not regret on any suspension setup from above list. 924/944/968 best attribute is the suspension in top condition.

bmnelsc · Jan 9, 2015

I installed Koni inserts and rear shocks on my '91 S2 along with the 968 control arm blocks and with similar usage to yours - I'm quite pleased - even on full soft. Re bushings - If you check the repair manual you will see that the S2 uses the firmer bushings (turbo spec) except for the trailing arm to torsion bar carrier (IIRC) so replacing with stock items might do. As per Tony - the 986 rear control arm blocks are a must (and I think that is about all you can get these days). As per poly bushes in the rest - I'm told they substantially increase noise and harshness but they really do take "give" out of the suspension. Given your use you may want to stick with firm versions of the standard bushes.

Note that I'm a road user only so maximum performance isn't a priority for me.

Rtwoodstock · Jan 10, 2015

Many thanks all for these suggestions these have been really helpful. From looking around and your guys advice and bit of research think Koni inserts and upgrading the other elements from cherry picking from the 968 - seems (on the face of it at least) perhaps the way to go for my use at least. Goes in at the end of the month then am doing a long haul to Marrakech a couple of weeks later so should give it a good work out.

ChasR · Jan 10, 2015

ORIGINAL: bmnelsc

I installed Koni inserts and rear shocks on my '91 S2 along with the 968 control arm blocks and with similar usage to yours - I'm quite pleased - even on full soft. Re bushings - If you check the repair manual you will see that the S2 uses the firmer bushings (turbo spec) except for the trailing arm to torsion bar carrier (IIRC) so replacing with stock items might do. As per Tony - the 986 rear control arm blocks are a must (and I think that is about all you can get these days). As per poly bushes in the rest - I'm told they substantially increase noise and harshness but they really do take "give" out of the suspension. Given your use you may want to stick with firm versions of the standard bushes.

Note that I'm a road user only so maximum performance isn't a priority for me.

IME alot of these issues arise with cheaper poly bushes. On cars I have driven with SuperPro/SuperFlex bushes I have noticed no increase in NVH, if anything the ride improved. Cheap they are not.