V8V Roadster Suspension upgrade options
Discussion
I am 4 months and 4k miles into ownership of my new car (2007 V8V Roadster) and as much as I love driving the car, I do think that when making progress down the country lanes, I would prefer a little less wobble at the rear in particular in corners. Grip is great and the tyres rarely let out a squeak, it feels more like the suspension is a little too soft to provide full confidence. What are the upgrade options people have taken, and what are the considered results/compromises/costs etc. ?
Great to see the comments from Grant and Mike - discussing both sides of the argument I have in my mind. I am not sure of others' thoughts and experiences - but the reasons for my asking is below:
What I know I like:
I have been driving MX5s for the past 10yrs or so - most of the time, cars with the harder factory Bilstein suspension. My current MX5 is an RS-Ltd is probably the best handling factory spec MX5. The car is light, the shocks very firm (springs a little too firm - may be too much rebound/bounce which can be a little skittish on very poor roads) very very light wheels all combines to give a huge amount of confidence when blasting down the country lanes. You can really attack the corners knowing how the car remains well planted. What I find when doing the same in the Aston is I can't attack with the same confidence as the back end seems to move around, not sideways - more of a very minor 'soft' up and down bounce effect - thats what I would ldeally like to improve.
Other Suspension Decision recently made:
My MX-5 is going to my 18yr old son (he has been riding with me all over Europe the past 10yrs in my MX5s) and it has come time to replace the suspension on that as well. There are 2 Manually Adjustable options that are popular on the Mazda scene - I have ridden in cars with them and they are great. But I do love the factory Bilstein spec. The Adjustable spec equipped cars typically need suspension replacing at 30k miles. The Bilstein cars, more like 100k miles. There are limitations with the Bilsteins, but I really love them on the MX5 - My son and I have agreed that is the route we will go.
Why the Aston Decision may be different:
Does that mean the same approach applies to the Aston? I do not know - The car is much heavier, as are the wheels. The character is different. Will a fixed set up suit the my use (Mostly bombing down country lanes or cruising into London)? Would an adjustable set up last as long as a fixed set up?
What I know I like:
I have been driving MX5s for the past 10yrs or so - most of the time, cars with the harder factory Bilstein suspension. My current MX5 is an RS-Ltd is probably the best handling factory spec MX5. The car is light, the shocks very firm (springs a little too firm - may be too much rebound/bounce which can be a little skittish on very poor roads) very very light wheels all combines to give a huge amount of confidence when blasting down the country lanes. You can really attack the corners knowing how the car remains well planted. What I find when doing the same in the Aston is I can't attack with the same confidence as the back end seems to move around, not sideways - more of a very minor 'soft' up and down bounce effect - thats what I would ldeally like to improve.
Other Suspension Decision recently made:
My MX-5 is going to my 18yr old son (he has been riding with me all over Europe the past 10yrs in my MX5s) and it has come time to replace the suspension on that as well. There are 2 Manually Adjustable options that are popular on the Mazda scene - I have ridden in cars with them and they are great. But I do love the factory Bilstein spec. The Adjustable spec equipped cars typically need suspension replacing at 30k miles. The Bilstein cars, more like 100k miles. There are limitations with the Bilsteins, but I really love them on the MX5 - My son and I have agreed that is the route we will go.
Why the Aston Decision may be different:
Does that mean the same approach applies to the Aston? I do not know - The car is much heavier, as are the wheels. The character is different. Will a fixed set up suit the my use (Mostly bombing down country lanes or cruising into London)? Would an adjustable set up last as long as a fixed set up?
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