Pre Cat shocks, please help

[Griffer]

Recently changed all the wishbone bushes etc. and next week had the car booked in for MOT and 4 wheel geo check at Austec. Am running the original adjustable Koni's,and at the last minute decided to check the damper settings. Fronts in good condition for there age so no problem, one rear unit however, (which was working fine) the adjuster has unscrewed inside the body when i moved it back to minimum so now I'm stuck with only three dampers. Should have left them alone.

I have been considering changing all dampers for a while but am undecided on what to go for still and dont want to be pressured into a distress purchase, although obviously need to get the car back on the road for the MOT at least, have any of the many upgraders out there got any unwanted servicable OE shocks sitting in a corner for a few beer tokens as a short term temporary fix?

Failing that what about AVO as a cheap option for now, this has come at the wrong time financially and dont want to waste money. AVO never seem to get much favourable opinion, but why exactly? Am aware of all the Gaz/Protech debate, other high end options too much for me and would be wasted on the relatively gentle use the car now gets.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated, please help if you can.
Steve

[Horse_Apple]

Morning Griffer,

I've just had Barnet's Ohlins fitted and they have completely transformed my 4.3 Griff.

Being honest, I think a set of shocks from a SMART Car would have been an improvement.

They do seem to be the more expensive option but well worth it.

[barreti]

Boing

Bumped this because I'm interested to see if anyone has an opinion...

[Wildfire]

Aren't Gaz/AVO around the same sort of price?? I had AVOs on the S3 and they were ok. i hear good things about GAZ, my brother had them on his Mini and I am impressed, much better than when they came out. Quality is good. Give Derek (gazman) a ring he can sort you out, and maybe even give them to you at the growl.

[griffsmith]

barreti said:

Boing

Bumped this because I'm interested to see if anyone has an opinion...

This has Kinda been done to death and usually ends in a
but seeing and the question was ask in relation to Pre-Cats then here's my 2p's worth..

I can't see any difference between a 500 and a pre-cat yes they were originally spec'd differently but they are essentially the same car.. I think Nitron's and Ohlins are way over priced for your average user. Sorry Horse_Apple I changed my shocks from standard and it 'completely transformed' my 4.0. this is a price/value discussion, (they are what out of my budget)... I haven't been in a car with Ohlins on so maybe they are value for money.

I really dislike the arguments that occur between retailers and their supporters about which is best.. decided on what you want from the car and talk to the retailers directly and see if their products will meet 'YOUR' requirements. Everyone will have very different expectation of what they think they want. And therefore someone saying that one make or spring rate is best may not suit your needs or expectations!! the tricky bit is working out what you want and understanding what people tell you and how it will impact on your requirements. I design suspension for a major car manufacturer and we get comments from customer that our cars are too hard/bumpy/sporty, but at the same time about the exact same car we get comment like the cars are too soft/and not sporty enough you can't please everyone with a one stop solution..

Now for my personal choice having said all that ^^^^^ I'm not gonna tell you in public what brand I chose. But my criteria was, I wanted to retain the comfort and compliance of the car, I was and now still am amazed by the levels of both front and rear grip on both smooth and bumpy surfaces and also didn't expect to be taking it on a track more then once or twice a year. you may not know what you expect of 'YOUR' setup yet that's why you need to talk directly to the suppliers themselves and if possible get in someone's else's car and try it. Just don't forget most aftermarket shock are adjustable so there shocks could suit you but their setting may not... I know that doesn't help you make a choice but hopefully will help you start the process of thinking what you want!

sorry for those who aren't I'll get off my that was more like my ?4.50's worth0's worth

[Griffer]

Hi all,

Thanks for the replies, I also dislike the arguments that can tend to spin up on this topic and want to avoid at all cost, interested only in real world experience at the budget end of the scale, please e-mail via my profile if felt more appropiate.

Griffsmith, agree that precat/500 essentially the same but remember if reusing original springs precats dont use progressive rate springs on the rear as on 500, AVO supplied without springs hence query particularly with these shocks.

No Growl for me this year now with only 3 dampers left on the car.
Steve

[barreti]

Yes Griffsmith, I agree it has been done to death and like you, I'm with reading the ensuing which goes on when this topic comes up.

However, I've got a pre-cat 4.3 and in the near future I will hopefully get my hands on the AVO's I've acquired for it on the basis I am just a road jockey with no track days planned and just want to take out a bit of the soft and bounciness which the car seems prone to now, presumably because the shocks/springs are original units.

So the question is very relevant to me too.

[nicbowman]

Hi

I have some Konis going begging, contact me direct. My choice ended up as Gaz Gold, they were recommended by Steve Guigliemi (spelling?) who was / is damn good at suspension / racing. They are a bit cheaper than Protech, but I would have got those for two pins. Avo are really no cheaper, they are about £85 plus vat each, which ends up £500 odd when you add £100 for new springs.

Derek at Gaz does give excellent service, so that is good. But, actually dampers are not so different, I don't think you can make a big mistake here. Get what you want.

Nic