V8 Vantage Front Springs

[rancidswan]

Hi

I'm after some advice on front springs for an 06 V8 Vantage. I need to replace one, and so naturally I'm thinking about replacing the pair.

The original AM springs are circa £700 for a pair - has anyone got experience with other manufacturers, Bilstein, H&R etc.

Also, does anyone have a pair they'd like to sell me?

Thanks
rancid

[telum01]

You'll want to replace both the fronts at the same time, don't just replace one.

If you change the type of springs you have in front, you'll want to replace the rears to match.

[rancidswan]

telum01 said:

You'll want to replace both the fronts at the same time, don't just replace one.

If you change the type of springs you have in front, you'll want to replace the rears to match.

Thanks, that's what I'm starting to think - again, if anyone has experiencing of changing away from AM springs, let me know.

Thanks
rancid

[bogie]

You can probably get a set of 4 aftermarket for the price of 2 OE front. Just take some advice on the spring rate, im sure some of the independents that offer suspension upgrades could help

http://www.davidapplebyengineering.com/suspension....

[telum01]

rancidswan said:

Thanks, that's what I'm starting to think - again, if anyone has experiencing of changing away from AM springs, let me know.

Thanks
rancid

What exactly do you want to know? I've got coilovers on my red V8V and H&R springs on my grey V8V.

[rancidswan]

telum01 said:

What exactly do you want to know? I've got coilovers on my red V8V and H&R springs on my grey V8V.

What are your thoughts on the H&R springs. I understand they lower the car by circa 20mm. Have you found any issues with them? How do they compare to stock?

[telum01]

Far more than 20mm. More like 35mm. Relatively comfortable, but the problem is that you have to be very careful about clearance with how low the car is. Consensus is that they don't pair well with Bilstein struts (the Sport Pack ones) as you'll get a 'pogo' effect when going over bumps (the car will keep bouncing a little bit and not settle as quickly as it should). You may also want to consider spacers, or different wheels altogether, as lowering the car so much shows just how far inset the wheels are from the factory. Great for the track, though, and for smooth roads - and I'm still using them on my grey V8V until I get coilovers for it.

Edited by telum01 on Thursday 3rd May 17:27

[davek_964]

Just the springs are ~£700 a pair???

That's outrageous. Last year, I needed new springs for the Ferrari because one of them had snapped. They were ~£80 each.

[rancidswan]

davek_964 said:

Just the springs are ~£700 a pair???

That's outrageous. Last year, I needed new springs for the Ferrari because one of them had snapped. They were ~£80 each.

It is rather a silly price I agree!

[rancidswan]

telum01 said:

Far more than 20mm. More like 35mm. Relatively comfortable, but the problem is that you have to be very careful about clearance with how low the car is. Consensus is that they don't pair well with Bilstein struts (the Sport Pack ones) as you'll get a 'pogo' effect when going over bumps (the car will keep bouncing a little bit and not settle as quickly as it should). You may also want to consider spacers, or different wheels altogether, as lowering the car so much shows just how far inset the wheels are from the factory. Great for the track, though, and for smooth roads - and I'm still using them on my grey V8V until I get coilovers for it.

Edited by telum01 on Thursday 3rd May 17:27

Thanks Telum - that's good info - I really don't want a 35mm drop - clearance is enough of an issue as it is!

Shame Eibach don't seem to do a compatible replacement spring set

Rancid

[S1-NOS]

What about custom made springs? Would that be cheaper (plus you could keep your ride height) ?

Something like : http://www.dfaulknersprings.com

[telum01]

I haven't used them myself, but VelocityAP's springs are pretty popular here in the US.

[rancidswan]

S1-NOS said:

What about custom made springs? Would that be cheaper (plus you could keep your ride height) ?

Something like : http://www.dfaulknersprings.com

What a great idea - I'll look into that, thank you.

Rancid

[Stuart Dickinson]

rancidswan said:

Thanks Telum - that's good info - I really don't want a 35mm drop - clearance is enough of an issue as it is!

Shame Eibach don't seem to do a compatible replacement spring set

Rancid

David Appleby Engineering stocks our VelocityAP progressive rate springs. 22mm drop from standard ride height.

[Gingernuts]

I have a full set of standard suspension with 30k miles on it, just been dyno'd and checked at an Ohlins dealer. Pm me if youre interested

[bogie]

Spotted springs here too when browsing earlier

http://www.astonmartincare.co.uk/lowered-spring-ki...

[Walesy]

rancidswan said:

Hi

I'm after some advice on front springs for an 06 V8 Vantage. I need to replace one, and so naturally I'm thinking about replacing the pair.

The original AM springs are circa £700 for a pair - has anyone got experience with other manufacturers, Bilstein, H&R etc.

Also, does anyone have a pair they'd like to sell me?

Thanks
rancid

Rancid,

I've got the same issue you have. I can't get over a single spring costing circa £350, it's crazy. Below are a number of other posts that discuss the topic some with some pics of cars that have gone for the lowered options.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

General consensus seems to be that H&R are very low and pretty stiff, velocity AP are not so low and are more like the current ride.

I'm looking at the springs Bogie mentioned above as my car is with them next week for a service - http://www.astonmartincare.co.uk/lowered-spring-ki... apparently they are designed to give the same ride feel but around 15 -20mm lower. I'm not looking for a firmer ride. AHM will fit all 4 for £1233 all in vs £1090 for 2 standard replacement fronts.

But I'm keen to get feedback first.

Did you get anywhere looking at the custom springs?

[LordBretSinclair]

A definite vote for DAE Velocity springs all round - looks and drives so much better

[Jibberingloon]

DAE Velocity Springs 10000000000%

Good ride quality and a nice 20mm drop, you will be a happy man if you get them done

[rancidswan]

Walesy said:

Rancid,

I've got the same issue you have. I can't get over a single spring costing circa £350, it's crazy. Below are a number of other posts that discuss the topic some with some pics of cars that have gone for the lowered options.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

General consensus seems to be that H&R are very low and pretty stiff, velocity AP are not so low and are more like the current ride.

I'm looking at the springs Bogie mentioned above as my car is with them next week for a service - http://www.astonmartincare.co.uk/lowered-spring-ki... apparently they are designed to give the same ride feel but around 15 -20mm lower. I'm not looking for a firmer ride. AHM will fit all 4 for £1233 all in vs £1090 for 2 standard replacement fronts.

But I'm keen to get feedback first.

Did you get anywhere looking at the custom springs?

Hi Walesy.

In the end I had to order one from AM.

My intention is to take my old broken spring to a specialist spring maker, and have some made identical to the AM ones (as identical as they can be) for people who want to avoid the AM prices and avoiding lowering their car further. I'll get a few sets made, keep a stock of them and sell them at a small margin on ebay. I'm going to be doing something similar for Vantage and DB9 brake discs. Ordering from Brembo suppliers in Germany, keeping a stock and selling them to people who don't want to pay the wacky AM prices.

Rancid