Alternatives to Bilstein suspension

[Green George]

I have a 40,000 mile 2000 Caterham Superlight with what appears to be original wide track Bilateins. Although they appear to be serviceable logic dictates that they are probably quite worn.
I have a 40,000 mile 2000 Caterham Superlight with what appears to be original wide track Bilateins. Although they appear to be serviceable logic dictates that they are probably quite worn.

I use the car both on road and on track days.

I am considering my options and would be interested to know what others have gone for.

As I see it I have 4 main options:

1) Get Bilstein to refurb original suspension

Upgrade to:

2) Quantum Zero - non adjustable

3) Nitron Street Series one way adjustable

4) Nitron NTR1 (I) std valving or (II) Meteor Motorsport valving

I appreciate suspension is very subjective however I want advice because I don't have bottomless pockets, so whilst I want to upgrade I don't want to get carried away.

[Mitch911]

I would give Simon a ring at Meteor Motorsport, he will advise the best option for your budget

[Gingerbread Man]

Mitch911 said:

I would give Simon a ring at Meteor Motorsport, he will advise the best option for your budget

That's what I popped in to say also!

[Canuck7]

I went from stiff bilsteins, to nitron one way adjustables with eibach springs at road spring rates. Just the standard valving of 3 yrs ago or so. An amazing change.

The nitrons are light and beautifully made, have a far more sophisticated feel, and track the road (up and down) really well. I'm sure if you do track days, then using an adjustable nitron with even fancier valving, ie. the fancier tweaked versions of the nitrons, or even a two way adjustable nitron, will be quite beneficial without being too harsh for the road - unless you opt for track springs.

The valving feels pretty good on the one way versions, in compression/damping ratio, better than most suspensions I've tried on various cars. So the single adjuster design isn't a bad thing. The tweaked version are supposed to do even better. If you had the money, then doing a two way adjustable would be sure to cover your needs. I have two way adjustable KW coilovers with remote reservoirs on my subaru, and it's quite useful having the two adjusters, though you could drive yourself batty trying all the combinations. lol. I ended up with really slow rebound and quite quick compression to get the feel I wanted for the subie. Not what a stock shock would do.

So I would suggest a two way nitron if you want to cover a lot of bases, from lumpy slow B roads, to a smooth fast track, without any worries about a stock valving ratio limiting your feel. As far as my experience of nitron quality and tech support; it's been exemplary. The guys at Meteor, form all I've read, will certainly point you in the best direction for your money and use.

[gareth h]

As has been said, speak to simon, he has a wealth of knowledge, I have had quantums and nitrons supplied by him, both have worked well, go with his advice and you can't go too far wrong

[Green George]

Thank you all for your advice. I had a very informative chat with Simon from Meteor Motorsport and now have a much better idea about my options and the pros and cons of each one.

[AshleyPatience]

Just been on Meteor Motorsports website and see they supply all sort of other parts. I'd quite like to go for Racetech Mirrors, but is there a way of blanking the standard door fixing points with a 'factory look? What have others done?