Suspension - question

andrew_churcher · Sep 9, 2010

Maybe more random thinking out loud at the moment as very early stages of any research....

Was possibly looking to refresh the suspension on my C2 at some stage...possibly a few mths off so just doing some digging around on whats out there.

This option (P64 Bilstein HD Shocks and H&R springs) seemed pretty good value at about £820
http://www.carnewal-europe.com/main.htm

I think KW's are up in the £1300's (possibly more) and I am not really looking for a track beast just a nice set up for spirited weekend driving.

Are there any alternatives which should be considered? Do people think this is a good price (ie: lock it in now at all costs)? is it worth paying the extra for the KW's (or similar) if tracking isnt the primary objective?

Thanks and Rgds,

RLambert · Sep 9, 2010

A Bilstein setup is perfect for a road car and even for mild track use so I'd go with that.

Steve Brookes · Sep 9, 2010

Replacing the springs and dampers with what you're looking at will make a major improvement. But that's mostly because your replacing tired suspension with new kit and having it all re-aligned properly. It's not really much better than the original stuff Porsche fitted....that would have been very good when it was fresh too.

On the other hand KWV3 (and other coil over suspensions) is a major improvement in how the car handles. Think more direct on the turn in and more composure in fast bends to visualize the improvement. KWV3 can be set so that it is very compliant on the road. It won't rattle your bones if set on the softer side. Especially if you don't have the ride height set too low. It's KW clubsport suspension that is really only for the track. KWV3 is the compromise for road and track....although I admit that I tend to leave mine on the firm settings because it spends more time on the track than the road [

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It's worth asking yourself how many times you're going to replace the suspension? If it's only once, like most of us, then is it worth paying the extra for coilovers?

And just to re-iterate that in all cases.....a large part of the improvement to be gained from new suspension is in having it fitted and set up correctly by an expert.

oapmeek · Sep 9, 2010

I fitted Bilsteins and H&R greens when I overhauled my suspension three years ago. The set-up is very good and they were highly recommended at the time on Rennlist. However, having driven a few cars now with KW3s fitted, I must say that they are far and away superior to the Bilstein/H&R combo. Even on stiffer, track settings they seem to work very well on public roads and aren't at all jarring/back breaking. If I did the suspension again, it would be with KWs. Would have used them three years ago, but they were only just coming out, so knew little about them.

BIG UN · Sep 9, 2010

Andrew,
From what I've looked at with regard to suspension, anything is going to be an improvement on old shocks, so no bad choice here.
The Bilsteins your looking at don't have the full adjustability like the KWV3. I was told "so do you want to fit suspension and adapt to it or fit suspension and have it tuned to your liking?"

It'll be KWV3's for me on my daily drive, when I get back on the road.

Andy.

deutschland dobson · Sep 10, 2010

The cheapest I found for KW3s was about £1500 + VAT + delivery!

Ive gone for H&R height adjustable coilovers. I havent fitted them yet, so cant comment on ride, but they were a hell of a good price

Chris

RLambert · Sep 10, 2010

Gaz,

My advice would be to have a geometry check first to make sure everything is pointing in the right direction. And at the same time check that all your suspension bushes are still nice and tight.

If that's OK then are your tyres any good, i.e. have some tread and/or are not older than 5 years. Actually you could do this check before the geometry.

If that's ok too then go to one of the PCGB tack days and get an instructor to take you out. It could be that you just have poor technique. The 964 does need a particular kind of driving style (which is different to the previous models) to get the most out of it.

Happy to have a drive of your car if you are ever down near St Albans. Just make sure you bring some clean underwear !

Set your KW's in the middle as a startign point and avoid changing the settings until you have mastered how to drive it.

Bilsteins are coilovers and adjustable too, KW's just give more adjustment I believe. For a road car you just don't need super sophisticated suspension. Save the difference in the cost and get some decent tyres.

Steve Brookes · Sep 10, 2010

+1 on Richard's advice. And as you are in the Midlands it would be very easy for you to go and get the Geometry done at Centre Gravity by Chris Franklin. Chris is one of the best in the business. He'll set the car up exactly how you want e.g. normal road, fast road or track. He'll do camber, caster and toe, then fine tune the bump and rebound on the KWs. You may end up being quite shocked at the difference he can make in how a car handles.