Car (or bike) Chat!

[Marco]

So.... Picked up the Brabster last night, driving it back from Oswestry (where my mechanic has his place), and the improvement in ride quality is palpable!

When the car went through its MOT recently, one of the advisories was some wear in the front shocks, which was fair enough, as they were still the original ones fitted to the car, which has now done just over 80k miles... Upon inspection, once they'd been removed, you could obviously see that they were worn, not badly, but enough to impact on their performance.

Therefore, what we do in instances like that is not simply replace like for like, but significantly improve on what was there to start with, in order to make the car BETTER than before, and the Bilstein shocks, just like everything else that's been fitted so far in that respect, are a totally different ball game from the stock items, as indeed they should be at £320 (a pair) +VAT and fitting.

The biggest improvement so far (as I haven't had the chance yet to throw the car round any major corners) is the ride quality, in terms of how much better now you're cushioned from the effects of bumpy roads, where previously you could really feel the effect of driving on poor road surfaces (taking into consideration the effect of having a lowered sports suspension and low-profile tyres), now all you can feel is a gentle 'push', as the car glides gazelle-like over humps and bumps - and that's not simply because the old shocks were worn, but because the new ones are simply made much better, as even when I first got it, the car has never driven *this* good!

So, job done. I'm suitably impressed enough with the Bilsteins to have the same fitted to the rear, which will no doubt improve things further. If anyone is considering some top-notch aftermarket shock absorbers for their car, then I can thoroughly recommend the Bilstein B6 mono-tube shocks.

I'm looking forward now to testing the car's handling on some local country lanes later, and it's a lovely day for a nice drive, so will probably take my dad out for lunch to a nice country pub. Happy days

Marco.

[struth]

suspension is often the least thought of for performance and safety. probably coz you cant see it in action etc.

[CageyH]

So the car is now unbalanced front to rear?

[walpurgis]

So the car is now unbalanced front to rear?

Tyres and suspension, front compared to rear often don't match.

[Marco]

So the car is now unbalanced front to rear?

Lol - not at all. Certainly doesn't feel that way!

I just wanted to be sure that the Bilsteins made a significant enough improvement at the front, where the effect is likely to be more pronounced, before shelling out another £500+ (supplied and fitted) on rear shocks. Sensible, no?

Therefore, if the car's this good 'unbalanced', then one can only drool at what it'll be like 'balanced', when the upgraded rear shocks have been fitted!

Marco.

[CageyH]

I doubt that you have taken it anywhere near the limit on public roads to find out if it is well balanced or not.
That just would not be sensible.

When I swapped the shocks on my car, I did front and rear at the same time replacing my Bilsteins for something better/more suited to my car.

[Marco]

Tyres and suspension, front compared to rear often don't match.

Yeah, good point. The tyres, front and back are a different size. The rears are significantly wider and lower profile (255/30/ZR19) than the front (225/35/ZR19). I suspect the shocks will be different too, in that respect.

Marco.

[Marco]

I doubt that you have taken it anywhere near the limit on public roads to find out if it is well balanced or not.
That just would not be sensible.

When I swapped the shocks on my car, I did front and rear at the same time replacing my Bilsteins for something better/more suited to my car.

What did you got for instead? In terms of "better", I guess that's subjective, and also as you say, car-dependent

And yes, you're right, as far as taking the car to its limits. Of course not. That's one for when it goes onto the track. However, in the meantime, the improvement in ride quality is significant enough to have made the job of replacing/upgrading the front shocks highly worthwhile!

I'll get the rears done after the summer hols.

Marco.

[Marco]

suspension is often the least thought of for performance and safety. probably coz you cant see it in action etc.

Indeed, mate. For me, there's hee-haw point in tuning a car's engine to near its limits, if you don't also attend to the 'less sexy' bits too, which actually keep you on the road!

Plus, STABILITY, EFFORTLESSNESS and COMFORT, at speed, for me is vital. No point in being able to go fast, it it isn't also FUN and, above all, SAFE.

Marco.

[CageyH]

I currently run Avo adjustable dampers with adjustable spring platforms. A set of Nitron or similar would be nice.