new car or new suspension?
Discussion
So my old 330 is slowly dying and the culprit is the mile long unmade lane that leads to the new abode. It's full of pot-holes, bumps, mud, gravel and, believe it or not, speed humps. So, should I admit defeat and buy another Forrester or something similar or .............what about upgrading the suspension on the bimmer to something more rally spec? Is this even doable? And are we talking multiple thousands to do so or a bit less? Current favourite is another Forrester but open to suggestions if a suspension upgrade would do the trick?
Bit sarcastic, slow. The lane is a mile long and "maintained" by the local golf club. The residents do maintain it when we can but is is made of compacted earth so any repairs inacted are soon washed away, it's also a well used road which churns it up some more. Add to that that it's the wife who is usually driving so I need a lasting solution.
Question re SE spec suspension, rear whishbones are vulnerable in 3 series anyway - guessing this would help but not make it bombproof?
Question re SE spec suspension, rear whishbones are vulnerable in 3 series anyway - guessing this would help but not make it bombproof?
Iamnotkloot said:
Bit sarcastic, slow. The lane is a mile long and "maintained" by the local golf club. The residents do maintain it when we can but is is made of compacted earth so any repairs inacted are soon washed away, it's also a well used road which churns it up some more. Add to that that it's the wife who is usually driving so I need a lasting solution.
Question re SE spec suspension, rear whishbones are vulnerable in 3 series anyway - guessing this would help but not make it bombproof?
Our drive gets washed away, we fill in pot holes every 2 months or so.Question re SE spec suspension, rear whishbones are vulnerable in 3 series anyway - guessing this would help but not make it bombproof?
Just wish tarmac didnt cost so much.
What would upgrading the suspension allow you to do? Drive the lane faster? I find it hard to believe that any significant damage can be done by regularly driving a car on a rough track, if driven with mechanical sympathy and some care. That may mean driving far more gingerly in a BMW than in a forester etc. but upgrading to rally spec suspension, if that's even possible, sounds like a bit of a daydream.
I have to drive down a 1/2 mile very poorly surfaced private tarmac road to get to the in-laws house.
Usually have to do this 2-3 times a week in my S60 and you have to take it at an absolute crawl, especially after this last bad weather. The "potholes" are unreal, like craters.
Inlaws are OK as they have, between them, a Series 1 and a series 3 Defender and a freelander.
It`s probably them f
king the road up in the first place.
My front valance is a proper mess now.
The road even has proper speed bumps on it ffs!
It`s shared responsibility for all the residents and most of them aren`t bothered about fixing it.
If I lived there I simply would not be able to have a nice road car that I actually liked.
Additional wear and tear are inevitable even taking it slowly.
Better to try and get the road issue sorted if at all possible or you really will let your drive dictate your choice of car as long as you live there.
Usually have to do this 2-3 times a week in my S60 and you have to take it at an absolute crawl, especially after this last bad weather. The "potholes" are unreal, like craters.
Inlaws are OK as they have, between them, a Series 1 and a series 3 Defender and a freelander.
It`s probably them f
king the road up in the first place.My front valance is a proper mess now.
The road even has proper speed bumps on it ffs!
It`s shared responsibility for all the residents and most of them aren`t bothered about fixing it.
If I lived there I simply would not be able to have a nice road car that I actually liked.
Additional wear and tear are inevitable even taking it slowly.
Better to try and get the road issue sorted if at all possible or you really will let your drive dictate your choice of car as long as you live there.
Iamnotkloot said:
Question re SE spec suspension, rear whishbones are vulnerable in 3 series anyway - guessing this would help but not make it bombproof?
It wouldn't make it bombproof, no. But extra ride height, softer springing, and more give in the tyres is going to lessen the impact on them, and other bits, substantially.Generally road car suspension is pretty tough and durable. If it's a case of accelerated wear then you just need to keep on top of it. Maybe a fit a more durable powerflex bush kit (in a softer grade, if they do that), replace a few ball joints and fit some new shock absorbers. Unless it's actually bending wishbones and links then the standard suspension is up to the job.
Rally suspension isn't necessarily going to be more durable than road suspension, just less susceptible to dampers over heating and better at absorbing big hits. Rally cars have very regular maintenance and inspections schedules compared to road cars.
Comfort wise, the best ordinary cars I've had for un-made roads are Volvo 740/940s and Peugeot 205/306s.
Rally suspension isn't necessarily going to be more durable than road suspension, just less susceptible to dampers over heating and better at absorbing big hits. Rally cars have very regular maintenance and inspections schedules compared to road cars.
Comfort wise, the best ordinary cars I've had for un-made roads are Volvo 740/940s and Peugeot 205/306s.
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