993 suspension refresh
Discussion
Two bloody years I looked into this and finally decided to go with the heard and install Koni FSDs with M033 springs.
Garage knowing about the FSDs or not, they should still be more than able to install them.
After my suspension was refreshed/installed, I was absolutely gutted. Too damn soft and bouncy. I spent over 3.5k having this work done.
However, I realised after a week or so that the potholed roads of Worcestershire with their off camber corners and basically crap underlating manner were being taken in its stride with my new bouncy suspension, so hence I was actually driving quicker. So m033 and FSDs for UK roads are ideal.
When in Spain last month, driving Tarmac nirvana, the setup was to spongy and bouncy.
I had replaced front and back dampers, new set of m033, new front and back arb bushes and new front and back drop links so prepare yourself for cost. Mine didn't need new front wishbones or any control arms which could have added another 2k to the job.
Personally if i did it again, I'd ditch the m033 springs, go with either m030 or something else that was a bit stiffer. Cars have got stiffer over the years (hence why now the 964 RS and ilk aren't classed as so stiff) and I think back in the day the standard 993 would now be classed as soft, but back then as sporty.
I think also that if I did more Spanish driving or occasional track, then I'd go Bilstein B8s
Edit. You will not get the M033/Monroe combo for less than 1.5k, and they will be cheaper from OPC than anywhere else. I paid £775 for the FSDs and £360 for the M033 springs.
My 993 came with Boge OE dampers and were the originals at 125k miles when replaced. They are still sat in my shed, though I had bits of the suspension replaced as other bits were worn out so I I did the lot 'whilst in there', I honesty believe they didn't need replacing and that really nothing has moved on quite as far as people make out on the standard stuff.
Garage knowing about the FSDs or not, they should still be more than able to install them.
After my suspension was refreshed/installed, I was absolutely gutted. Too damn soft and bouncy. I spent over 3.5k having this work done.
However, I realised after a week or so that the potholed roads of Worcestershire with their off camber corners and basically crap underlating manner were being taken in its stride with my new bouncy suspension, so hence I was actually driving quicker. So m033 and FSDs for UK roads are ideal.
When in Spain last month, driving Tarmac nirvana, the setup was to spongy and bouncy.
I had replaced front and back dampers, new set of m033, new front and back arb bushes and new front and back drop links so prepare yourself for cost. Mine didn't need new front wishbones or any control arms which could have added another 2k to the job.
Personally if i did it again, I'd ditch the m033 springs, go with either m030 or something else that was a bit stiffer. Cars have got stiffer over the years (hence why now the 964 RS and ilk aren't classed as so stiff) and I think back in the day the standard 993 would now be classed as soft, but back then as sporty.
I think also that if I did more Spanish driving or occasional track, then I'd go Bilstein B8s
Edit. You will not get the M033/Monroe combo for less than 1.5k, and they will be cheaper from OPC than anywhere else. I paid £775 for the FSDs and £360 for the M033 springs.
My 993 came with Boge OE dampers and were the originals at 125k miles when replaced. They are still sat in my shed, though I had bits of the suspension replaced as other bits were worn out so I I did the lot 'whilst in there', I honesty believe they didn't need replacing and that really nothing has moved on quite as far as people make out on the standard stuff.
Edited by Wozy68 on Wednesday 30th July 07:50
porkey said:
Gert is expensive in certain stuff, 993 suspension is one of them 
ash73 said:
Thanks Wozy that's good info. I've been quoted £4K, half of which is ancillaries as it basically needs everything.
Garage is now saying M033/Bilstein drops the car 10mm (UK) whereas M030/Bilstein drops it 30mm, but I thought they were the same apart from spring rate. I don't want it to look like a slammed Halfords special.
Any views on exchange wishbones versus fitting poly bushes?
Yes M030 and 33 are the same ride hight, just different levels of compliance.Garage is now saying M033/Bilstein drops the car 10mm (UK) whereas M030/Bilstein drops it 30mm, but I thought they were the same apart from spring rate. I don't want it to look like a slammed Halfords special.
Any views on exchange wishbones versus fitting poly bushes?
No idea why they such a difference. To be honest I'd say 30 was fine. I can't tell any difference in ride height with the M033s fitted compared to the standard height I had before.
Ref the front wishbones. I'll probs stick with the standard Porsche bushes as when mine was checked over they told me I'd be wasting my money at this time as they were fine. Just goes to show how stuff can las on an old 911. 125k miles and still ok.
Matter of interest have you checked OPC for a price? If I'd have gone monroes/M033 complete with 4x top mounts, install and geo, the price all in was 2.4k. In a way I wish I had, but they wouldn't install the FSDs I'd already got my heart set on.
Don't forget to replace the top mounts with new suspension
Edited by Wozy68 on Wednesday 30th July 13:32
Wozy68 said:
porkey said:
Gert is expensive in certain stuff, 993 suspension is one of them About £1000 ish.
A days labour to fit them and away you go...
porkey said:
http://www.carnewal.com/products/P93/p93174/Bilste...
About £1000 ish.
A days labour to fit them and away you go...
M030 springs are a lot cheaper than M033, plus Gert has to add 21% vat to the price, I can't open your link, but OP install B8s, not B6s as they allow for the shorter spring rate of M033/30 etc About £1000 ish.
A days labour to fit them and away you go...
It won't just be the dampers and springs though.
Finally OP try type 911 for prices of kits for a good comparison. Saying that I bought my dampers from larks speed and saved 20% on type 911, and even more so than if I'd bought them from Canewell.
Shouldn't have let the misses see the quote matey. Big no no
Edited by Wozy68 on Wednesday 30th July 15:34
ash73 said:
Wozy how did your FSDs compare to your original (stock?) setup? Soft relative to what you wanted, or soft relative to stock?
Like I said, mine were Boge and with standard springs. My suspension parts were worn out so it banged like a gud un underneath, so with new top mounts arb bushes and drop links she was a zillion times better. However FSDs and M033s of which everybody seems to rave about? Hmmmm I think she was less bouncy with the stick Boge dampers to be honest. It can't be the M033s as they should be the same compliance as the original springs. I even made sure I got the correct M033s for the manual on not tip car. Hence why I wouldn't 'write off' the stock kit, I really can't tell that much of an advancement. After all Porsche spent a lot of dosh and time on setting it all up in the first place. Im not saying there is not better out there, but I for one can't see how much more you need to spend to notice it on th road.
ash73 said:
Also briefly looked at Koni FSDs but the garage has no experience with them so that's out.
Long list of ancillaries on the quote too
I don't doubt they are necessary.
IMO take the car somewhere else; your choice should not be constrained by your garage's shortcomings.Long list of ancillaries on the quote too
I don't doubt they are necessary.Chris at CG would be my urgent advice. Get it trailered there if need be, as it will be a few hundred very well spent.
ash73 said:
Might just bite the bullet, car is history anyhow now the missus has seen the quote.
Eh? Point out to the missus that the 993 is an appreciating asset - obviously I don't know how much you paid for it, but they are increasing steeply in value, and it makes no financial sense to sell such a car.
What would you replace it with?
If you say 'new kitchen', then it's time to find a good lawyer.
Not sure if it helps - but I traded my Cayman S with 19" wheels and PASM for my 993 on 17" wheels.
The suspension when I got the car was bouncy. We have many speed humps here in the Netherlands and going over them was always a drama - with the suspension hitting the stops, and even the softest undulations on the highway causing the car to bob up and down.
So after asking questions on a number of forums, and talking to my garage I went for FSD's and M033's.
I find the ride quite comfortable. Certainly nowhere near as firm as the Cayman, but would describe it as compliant. But certainly not bouncy.
The suspension when I got the car was bouncy. We have many speed humps here in the Netherlands and going over them was always a drama - with the suspension hitting the stops, and even the softest undulations on the highway causing the car to bob up and down.
So after asking questions on a number of forums, and talking to my garage I went for FSD's and M033's.
I find the ride quite comfortable. Certainly nowhere near as firm as the Cayman, but would describe it as compliant. But certainly not bouncy.
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