Discussion
I'm in need of some new shocks/springs as my current (original bilsteins) are sagging a bit. Trouble is budget is a touch tight so no Ohlins/Nitrons.
What is best and what sort of cost would I be looking at (max £500 for the set) and how easy are they to do a DIY fit? I'll get a proper geo setup done once fitted but would rather save cash and fit myself. I mostly do road with the very occasional track day.
What is best and what sort of cost would I be looking at (max £500 for the set) and how easy are they to do a DIY fit? I'll get a proper geo setup done once fitted but would rather save cash and fit myself. I mostly do road with the very occasional track day.
IMV, nowt wrong with the original fit Bilsteins - in fact I preferred the ride to the AVOs that I tried while waiting for the Bilsteins to come back into stock. So no need to change away from Bilsteins just for the sense that different is somehow better (for predominantly road use as you mention).
zippee said:
I'd just like to say thankyou for your helpful comments on what is a genuine question from myself. I'm presuming I'm unlikely to get a serious reply from anyone on this thread?
C'mon Zippee, you're not exactly a stranger on these forums, and this subject has been done to death - what more do you expect to be added..?
Get on the phone to Derek (The Gazman) and see what he can offer for your budget, and do the same with Joolz (Trackcar).
The bog-standard Bilsteins as a direct replacement will probably cost more than replacement items, such as Gaz, Protech or Avo - so you may as well go this route.
zippee said:
I'd just like to say thankyou for your helpful comments on what is a genuine question from myself. I'm presuming I'm unlikely to get a serious reply from anyone on this thread?
I suspect your presumption may be correct. There is a current thread where the subject is being done to death, plus as Podie says it's been discussed ad nauseum (you did check FAQ and/or did a search, yes?), hence the distinct lack of interest in this one. I'd say Nitrons 'cos that's what I have, but they are out of budget.
Edited by victormeldrew on Tuesday 16th January 12:34
Its prob more important to find somebody local to you who will afford you the luxury of trying some different spring rates (and lengths) along with help/advice you are happy with. The springs make a much more noticeable difference than the dampers IMO (and are probably doing 80% of the work). This is the real benefit of doing it yourself, otherwise you are buying a turnkey package, where the choice offered will be very generalised. It seems there is actually a great range in settings people deploy. I suppose it depends on how you like the car to feel and what the main use is for.
But I'm probably going to get hung out to dry here, cos springs are cheap & dampers are expensive :-)
Dave
But I'm probably going to get hung out to dry here, cos springs are cheap & dampers are expensive :-)
Dave
zippee said:
I'd just like to say thankyou for your helpful comments on what is a genuine question from myself. I'm presuming I'm unlikely to get a serious reply from anyone on this thread?
mine was a serious answer!
I'm not in an amusing mood ATM www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=8&t=345433&p=1
andy-w said:
Damn...i have got Avo's...are they crap then??? 
They are good for the budgie[bs][bs]et end of the market and compare well with the Gaz dampers I understand, which I guess logically equates into "yes crap like Gaz ones"
FFS I hope no-one doing a serious search reads this, but nobody seems to bother with the search facility anyway (or an old topic would get bumped)
Dave
Blinkin Heck: 6 minutes & not got a bite, there must be some big ones in this pool
Edited by spend on Tuesday 16th January 13:15
zippee said:
I'd just like to say thankyou for your helpful comments on what is a genuine question from myself. I'm presuming I'm unlikely to get a serious reply from anyone on this thread?
If you are seriously undecided or don't have a suspension guru you trust, why not go to a TVRCC meet and ask to go out in a car with Gaz, Avo, Protech or Nitron fitted and see what you think.
If you go to Herts and Beds Sunday you can have a go in my Chimmy for a start and I'm sure somebody will have Nitrons fitted to their car as an alternative.
Edited by the gazman on Tuesday 16th January 13:24
Thanks - having a bit of a crap day at work hence the post. Search also doesn't work particularly well on my works computer. I think I even asked a similar question early last year but decided I didn't need them then. Now I've basically been told they need replacing I guess they've just gone up my list in terms of urgency.
I know theres 3 main 'budget' brands - Gaz, Avo and Protech but have no idea which is best - I was also totally unaware of spring lengths etc or what to go for hence the question. Theres so many questions that get asked again and again on these forums I didn't think it'd matter too much if I asked one again myself (as I said the search facility and my works computer don't get along thogh I guess I should have tried at home last night). TBH I can't drive for sh!t anyway so doubt very much I'll notice the differences between the brands but it's still nice to have the best you can afford.
I'll try and get down the Baldock on Sunday but am not sure I'll be free.
I know theres 3 main 'budget' brands - Gaz, Avo and Protech but have no idea which is best - I was also totally unaware of spring lengths etc or what to go for hence the question. Theres so many questions that get asked again and again on these forums I didn't think it'd matter too much if I asked one again myself (as I said the search facility and my works computer don't get along thogh I guess I should have tried at home last night). TBH I can't drive for sh!t anyway so doubt very much I'll notice the differences between the brands but it's still nice to have the best you can afford.
I'll try and get down the Baldock on Sunday but am not sure I'll be free.
I'm sure that all the shocks you mention would be ok but why rush into it, take your time, ask at the meets and get out in cars.
BTW Herts and Beds are having a suspension clinic at Offords early spring and they would give you an honest assessment of the condition of your dampers and springs, it may just be that an alignment check would surfice.
BTW Herts and Beds are having a suspension clinic at Offords early spring and they would give you an honest assessment of the condition of your dampers and springs, it may just be that an alignment check would surfice.
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