will upgrading suspension lower resale value?

[DucatiGary]

Hi there

front driver side suspension made a funny noise yesterday when driving down a very bumpy road (was doing like 7mph for a couple of miles), sounded pretty bad, but after I was back on "normal" roads it never made a sound . . . . .

Im looking to book it in with the local specialist before I drive it again just to make sure, thinking of the worst and looking into how much completly replacing all 4 corners wil cost, Ive seen that the OEM suspension is the same sort of price as getting some adjustable stainless ones. . . . . . .

would having the "justables" effect resale value? I like the OEM handling and the ride, its fine for me, just thinking for the same money (mabe a little more but not a great deal) I could get myself some trick suspension

Also are there any products you would reccomend?

any thoughts on this?

[paulburrell]

Try the KW suspension. If you've got lots of dosh ask JZM to quote for the Mantthey KW version. However, I reckon the standard KW variant 3 would be a huge improvement over the OEM set up.

Steve

[wrn]

Virtually all mods harm resale values or ease of resale IMHO - many/most people (including myself) are looking for original cars.

[Adam B]

wrn said:

Virtually all mods harm resale values or ease of resale IMHO - many/most people (including myself) are looking for original cars.

agreed - non OEM exhaust is only mod which I am indifferent to as it is easy to put back to std if I want (although if it was respected make eg Tubi, Ruf I would keep it on)

[flemke]

It does depend on the buyer.
As paulburrell says, the Manthey suspension is definitely superior to standard.
Any potential buyer who knew what he was doing would rather have the Manthey and would pay at least the same if not more for it.

[polarexpress]

wrn said:

Virtually all mods harm resale values or ease of resale IMHO - many/most people (including myself) are looking for original cars.

Original cars are nice to have, but their "state of being worn out/due for replacement" must be reflected in the asking price. And only well known replacement mods (eg, Bilstein HDs for the 993) should command equivalent "value" in the asking price as the original parts. In other words, I wouldn't pay any more for a Billy HD'd 993 if the suspension required replacement, than I would for a 993 whose original suspension was in perfect condition not requiring replacement.

[flemke]

polarexpress said:

In other words, I wouldn't pay any more for a Billy HD'd 993 if the suspension required replacement, than I would for a 993 whose original suspension was in perfect condition not requiring replacement.

Isn't that a bit like saying, "I wouldn't pay more for a Porsche that had to be crushed than I would for a VW that was like new"?

[polarexpress]

My search for a Porsche would not include VWs!

[flemke]

polarexpress said:

My search for a Porsche would not include VWs!

At least with regard to the Beetle, and perhaps the 914, I think that the late Papa Porsche might disagree with you.

[DucatiGary]

well already having gemballa mods and triple B stainless exhaust (all fitted by previous onwer), I was worried trick suspension might make it look like its gone too far. . . . . .

service history and all that is A OK, company pays for all that for me so no expense is spared (and previous owners kept it all up to date too in milage if not annually)

I wont know what the problem is untill friday, booked it in with the local specialist and will see from there, so shes staying putt till friday just in case it developes into somthing more serious.

[james_j]

If you do make a change to the suspension, it may be a good idea to keep hold of the old springs (and any other standard bits - not the dampers though if they're knackered). At least you could include them as part of the deal if you were to sell the car at a later date.

[wrn]

flemke said:

It does depend on the buyer. As paulburrell says, the Manthey suspension is definitely superior to standard. Any potential buyer who knew what he was doing would rather have the Manthey and would pay at least the same if not more for it.

If it depends on the buyer then it definitely makes it harder to sell...! Someone who is not a purist can modify an original one - but a purist would not buy a modified one.

[RobbieMeister]

Assuming you are talking about a Porsche.....

I don't have a great deal of knowledge about 911's, I own a 944 turbo.

It's worth remembering that Porsche do certain options themselves which can impprove the cornering performance without detracting from the value. The M030 option being an example. Also settings are sometimes changed through a models development. In other cases suspension from another model in the range can be substituted.

My car is fitted with the M030 setup from a 968CS. So while being very different from the original it is still Porsche and the value is enhanced. It's bloody stiff though.

It's worth adding that I only bought the car on the proviso that the original bits were supplied as well.

If you like it how it is I'd stick with Porsche bits if I were you.

>> Edited by RobbieMeister on Friday 21st April 14:39