Suspension kit (any ideas?)

**100ney** · by **100ney** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 12:12 am

Hey,
I'm in desperate needs of new shocks/springs, as I believe they're at fault for shreading my tyres to sh!t (getting scalloping at the rear end).
However, I have little idea on what is the best kit to get. While replacing the whole lot, I mite as well lower it - I guess 30-40mm is the way to go? I'm rolling on 205/50/16's at the moment.
I've had a look around and have come across GMax, Bilstein and Koni suspension kits. I've also read a fair bit that Eibach are a half decent spring!
Trouble is, I need delivery to Australia. I'm not sure how many online distributors in the UK can manage delivery to Australia (and if it's worth it, what with the weight and all).

Here are my findings:
GMax Lowering Suspension Kit: <a href="http://www.dcp-shop.co.uk/buy-car-accessories/product_info.php?cPath=292_2949_2010_2079_2086&products_id=3857" target="_blank">http://www.dcp-shop.co.uk/buy-car-accessor...roducts_id=3857</a> (221 pounds)
Bilstein 'Streetline' Lowering Suspension Kit: <a href="http://www.motorsportworld.co.uk/detProd.asp?ProductCode=BSK127&PID=317006" target="_blank">http://www.motorsportworld.co.uk/detProd.a...K127&PID=317006</a> (225 pounds)
Koni Lowering Suspension Kit: <a href="http://www.larkspeed.com/index.pl?c=KONIEQUIPADSUSPENKITS&p=261721&a=i" target="_blank">http://www.larkspeed.com/index.pl?c=KONIEQ...TS&p=261721&a=i</a> (350 pounds)

Given that the Bilstein kit is only a little more than the GMax kit, is the difference in quality measurable (and are the Bilstein springs any good - I'm pretty sure the shocks are top notch)? On the other hand, is it worth paying the extra 115 pounds to get the Koni suspension kit? Should I go with the suspension kit, or would I be best to mix and match a shock and a spring (e.g., Koni shocks and Eibach springs)?
I'm not looking for an ULTRA high performance kit or anything - I don't race or anything. I just want a nice low, smooth ride (preferably without too much tyre wear!!).
Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. If you've got other suggestions, feel free to throw ur hat in the ring [img]/smile.gif[/img]
Cheers, Paul

Fraz · by **Fraz** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 12:38 am

had the Bilstein kit on mine, very good handling but you will feel every bump in the road...its very firm

rear spring broke on mine so changed the springs for the Eibach ones still with the Bilstein shocks...IMHO its not a well matched setup ...and it dont handle as good as the full Bilstein kit did.

the Koni shocks up with Eibach springs is meant to be the best ..cant answer tha one as never had Koni shocks on mine

G-max IMHO is not a good quailty kit ..over hyped by the magazines for the boy racers

Depends on what you want from the car ..me I wanted it to handle round the bends...it did that with the Bilstein full kit

but even with only 30mm drop still got inside tyre wear

**100ney** · by **100ney** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 4:32 pm

Awesome!

If that's the case, I mite just settle for the Bilstein set. I'm not too sure I'm prepared to go all out to get the Koni/Eibach set-up. Is it worth the extra expense? What is your opinion on the GMax and Koni suspension sets, in contrast to the Bilstein suspension kit?
Quite a few of the discussions on the Australia Calibra Forum mention that when lowering the Calibra, it is almost a necessity that you include a camber correction kit. Is this so?

Thanks again, Paul

**100ney** · by **100ney** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 4:36 pm

Oh, sorry .. you've already responded on GMax kits. I guess it's worth the extra few quid to get the Bilstein kit hey? I think it's common opinion that the GMax are among the low end performance suspension kits.
I'm just after a good handling ride, and a set-up that 'feels' better than the current one does (surely pretty much ANYTHING could manage that!). Where Koni have lifetime warranty, what do Bilstein offer?
Cheers [img]/wink.gif[/img]

**TonyDTM** · by **TonyDTM** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 6:57 pm

Just to throw another into the equation...

<a href="http://www.elitedirect.com" target="_blank">www.elitedirect.com</a>

Last lowering kit I had came from these guys. The Bilsteins will get ya 35mil lower but the Koni's 40, the prices aint too bad compared with other places and the delivery is fast.
Just my tuppance worth ;o)

**swchoi** · by **swchoi** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 7:11 am

There are few ranges in bilstein kits as far as i know, what you should get is the yellow one, not the black one.

**100ney** · by **100ney** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 10:14 am

Why's that? The black one a bag of crap?

As far as I know, Bilstein have the Streetline and Sprintline kits available. Sprintline is quite abit more expensive (so I guess that'd be the yellow kit you refer to).

**100ney** · by **100ney** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 3:33 pm

After a little looking around, I'm able to get the Koni SSK Sport Suspension Kit for GBP350.00. This comes with the yellow adjustable shocks and I believe ROC/Vogtland springs. How do these springs compare with say the H&R/Eibach springs? Is it much of a muchness or is there a gulf in quality?

I can get the Bilstein 'Streetline' kit for GBP249.99 (I believe this is the black kit referred to in a previous post). The 'Sprintline' - I'm guessing the yellow kit - is over the GBP400.00 mark.

What is the difference between the Bilstein 'Streetline' and the Koni SSK kit? And then again, the Koni SSK and the Bilstein 'Sprintline'.

I'm pretty happy with the deal I got on the Koni kit - I just want your opinion on the springs that come with it, and the comparison of the Koni kit to the Bilstein's.

Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated. If anyone knows what they're on about when it comes to Cally stuff, it's you Pommy boys [img]/smile.gif[/img]
Cheers, Paul

**Welsh_Andy** · by **Welsh_Andy** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 3:46 pm

i have the kit, i got the vogtland springs(purple) nice firm ride. i dont know who makes the bilstein springs though

**100ney** · by **100ney** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:34 am

Hey,
I today took delivery of the Koni Sports Suspension Kit that I purchased from Larkspeed in Leeds.

I was provided the shock absorber cartridges and RED springs (front ones have '75261' on them and rear '75860' - no Koni markings or anything), along with yellow bump-stops and other washers and nuts etc.

Is what I received correct? I was under the impression I'd get the whole strut for the front, not just the shock absorber cartridges. They are the right cartridges - damping adjustable at the top. Also, I thought the springs were meant to be blue or purple in colour - mine are red.

Could someone please give me peace of mind [img]/smile.gif[/img]
Cheers, Paul

**Welsh_Andy** · by **Welsh_Andy** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 12:21 pm

<div class='quotetop'>(100ney)</div><div class='quotemain'>Hey,
I today took delivery of the Koni Sports Suspension Kit that I purchased from Larkspeed in Leeds.

I was provided the shock absorber cartridges and RED springs (front ones have '75261' on them and rear '75860' - no Koni markings or anything), along with yellow bump-stops and other washers and nuts etc.

Is what I received correct? I was under the impression I'd get the whole strut for the front, not just the shock absorber cartridges. They are the right cartridges - damping adjustable at the top. Also, I thought the springs were meant to be blue or purple in colour - mine are red.

Could someone please give me peace of mind [img]/smile.gif[/img]
Cheers, Paul</div>

not sure who makes the red springs tbh all i know is mine are vogtland the purple gives it way plus the codes too,lol

whole strut u be lucky,lol inserts and springs,the cheaper kit has same but the shocks are ajuustable at bottom like the spax ones

**100ney** · by **100ney** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:15 am

I have found out that the red springs I have are ROC springs.
What sort of quality are these? Would you say they are comparable to the Vogtlands?

**Welsh_Andy** · by **Welsh_Andy** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:24 am

dont think theres that much diff tbh,the vogtland are a firm ride and more expensive to buy,u can buy roc springs down at fast parts for around 50 squid,but dont know how gd they are tbh. but they bound to be decent as wouldnt have thought koni would include them otherwise. but sure someone will tell u wot they like

**dj_smurph** · by **dj_smurph** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 9:14 am

the spring rate will be matched to the dampers so there should be no problems i suggest that once they are one 3 half turns on the front and 5 half turns on the back and feel the difference had mine on the car 3months and it is still dropping

Suspension kit (any ideas?)

Suspension kit (any ideas?)

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