MO30 or not? -944 Turbo

[david benjamin]

I want to buy a 944 turbo with the MO30 option. I have arranged to look at one tomorrow that was registered Aug 1997 - I thought this model didn't start until 1988.5? The owner claims it is a genuine 250bhp model with yellow dampers but there is no code sticker in the boot or with the existing paperwork. The wheels have been replaced with D90s. Are there any EASY visual clues that can determine what sort of car this is? Any help would be most welcome.

David Benjamin

[steil]

Open the bonnet - the top of the suspension struts will have an exposed flat blade ()may need to remove rubber dust cover) that allows the use of either the Koni plastic tool or a pair of pliers to turn this blade to set stiffer/softer. If this is not there then it's not M030. You may be able to tell by the size of the front brake caliper as this'll be larger than the equivalent 944 S2.

[benyeats]

Thought all 250bhp turbos have the M030 setup as standard

Ben

[david benjamin]

One thing I have established is that not all the 250bhp cars have the MO30 option. There appears to be a nice 1989 on PH at the moment. I asked the vendor to let me have the option codes and he kindly sent me a photograph of the sticcker in the boot. This car has a LSD but no option 637 - the performance handling package.

David Benjamin

[james s]

Most important is the age of the suspension

If you can find an MO30 with low milles and years on the shocks great, but if its old, which most will be, I'd rather buy a cheaper non MO30 car and refesh it with MO30 parts. There is little point having a tired set up

[refill]

What parts do you need to upgrade/refresh a standard S2 to M030 spec?

[nick_968]

Just buy a non M030 car and throw a KW V3 kit on there, it will handle way better than any M030 car, and ride better too.

[steve 944t]

M030 was standard on the 88.5 Silver Rose/Turbo S. It was then made standard fitment for the 89 model, but was option only for 90 onwards.
To distinguish M030 suspension you can look at the top of the struts as steil says above, and also M030 has threaded spring cups to adjust the height.
250bhp engine will have the code M44/52, as opposed to the 220 version's M44/51. Unfortunately I cannot remember where you will find the number, so not much help really!

James is spot on though - unless you find a car with freshly refurbished M030 the suspension is going to be well past its best. What is your reason for wanting M030 - I find mine a bit harsh for road use - very skittish on the bumpy roads near me, even on the softest settings, and have heard people commenting that it is a little soft for track use. For this reason I am shortly going to replace mine with adjustable KW v3 suspension.

I must learn to type a bit faster!

Edited by steve 944t on Friday 16th February 12:15

[refill]

Sorry to keep butting in - but I'm on the point of having to replace my suspension - what is KW v3? Any more details? If M030's too harsh for road use, will KW v3 be better than nice new standard-spec suspension parts for road use?

Please excuse my ignorance...

[Riverside]

I agree with Nick & Steve's advice, however if you find an M030 car for a good price it's still worth having over a non-M030 car for the hubs, anti-roll bars, LSD, stonger gearbox etc.

Visually there's very little to distinguish a 220 from a 250 (any '89 car on will be 250, an '88 S will be, check for the engine code as Steve said, it's marked on a small shelf at the top of the block near the no.4 Exhaust manifold (just behind & below it, you'll need a torch), there are a couple of other indicators in the engine bay but if the car is modified they may be misleading.

An M030 turbo has bigger front calipers & disks, my '89 car has the yellow adjustable shocks, the threaded body of the shock is probably the biggest giveaway (adjustable spring perch) but not all years used Koni shocks so that's not a guarantee either. The option code sticker in the boot will show 030 as one of the options, mine shows 220 (LSD) too, it'll show the engine code (52 for a 250, 51 for a 220) too.

If you plan to upgrade or refresh the shocks & brakes the M030 stuff would need to be replaced anyway but it's still worth it for the other stuff.

[Riverside]

refill said:

Sorry to keep butting in - but I'm on the point of having to replace my suspension - what is KW v3? Any more details? If M030's too harsh for road use, will KW v3 be better than nice new standard-spec suspension parts for road use?

Please excuse my ignorance...

Try here www.k300performance.co.uk/kw-suspension.htm

I wouldn't say M030 was too stiff for the road but it is firm.

[david benjamin]

Well, I certainly know rather more about the subject than I did this morning. Many thanks to all who have commented.

David Benjamin

[Tam Lin]

refill said:

Sorry to keep butting in - but I'm on the point of having to replace my suspension - what is KW v3? Any more details? If M030's too harsh for road use, will KW v3 be better than nice new standard-spec suspension parts for road use?

Please excuse my ignorance...

Had KW v3 fitted to my 924S by JZ Machtech last year. They recommended camber plates at the same time, and both are really recommended. I've been driving it all winter, and teh combination is absolutely excellent for grip and handling. Can't wait to try it properly on track.

Edited by Tam Lin on Friday 16th February 14:24

[refill]

Thanks for the KW info.