Suspension

[slarti]

I'm sure that this topic has been beat to death but here goes.

I need to replace my rear shock because I have a blown shock. So I was thinking about upgrading. I was going to get the Ohlins or the KW coilovers, but due to budget constrants I'm now considering other options.

What would be the best bang (or in this case lack of bang) for the buck? Or am I better off saving up for the ohlins or KW's?

Thanks for the advice.

[steve s]

ohlins r expensive...if u really need one now...i suggest the bilstein hd over the koni because even tho the koni are adjustable, u need to take them off to adjust them

[Guest Cking]

I have been told by many Volvo mechanics to go with OEM shocks in the back and better quality in the front. Unless you are an extremely aggressive driver I would go with Bilstien touring in the back and HD in the front .

[Chopper]

If you're going to do it, why leave slop in the back end? The delta link suspension back there isn't that great anyway.

If you're going for performance struts, go for shocks too. They are cheap enough it dosn't make a difference.

[TheGuv]

I have the same problem with my T5, I will be needing to replace the shocks but won't be able to afford to get anything else done. Which would be better; going for all new OEM shocks or putting on something better all round? I want something that will help with 60kph sharp cornering mainly and then some 120kph cornering as a secondry. Any thoughts?

[850 GLT]

I would definately go for aftermarket struts/shocks. If you want a similar to stock ride then go for bilsteins, if you want a more aggresive ride then go for koni's. IMHO.

[BlackT5]

www.shox.com has some decent prices on shocks/struts and springs. If you are able to do the job yourself, you can save money on labor. It's really not difficult, just time consuming but it's worth it.

[Guest Stormin Norman]

I had Bilstein HDs on the front and stock shocks on the rear for two days, only. The back end severely ocillated up and down owing to the difference in compliance between the two shocks. Put the Bilsteins on the back too, the car is awesome. Great upgrade, huge improvement over stock.

[slarti]

So I think I'm going to go with the bilsteins since nobody seems to dislike them, and my friend with the crazy supercharged Jetta VR6 swears by them.

To spring or not to spring, that is the question.

If yes, which ones? I don't really want to drop it too much, I live in Chicago and my R front airdam already acts like a snow plow (I broke the entire middle section off my last 850R, I'm on second R now, not a happy story ) and my tires already rub just a bit when I turn wheels to the locks.

Or, should I just keep the stock R springs? How long do springs last anyway?

[freeskier8585]

go with a nice progresive spring, it wont lower that much but with a progressive your ride woudl also improve

[InlineTurbo]

Bilstein + Stock springs are pretty good. I kept the stock springs because I didn't want to sacrifice ride or snow plow in the winter.

Once you get aftermarket struts and shocks you won't beleive you didn't do it earlier. The difference in handling and traction is really good.

[JDELUNA]

Bilstein + Stock springs are pretty good.  I kept the stock springs because I didn't want to sacrifice ride or snow plow in the winter.

Once you get aftermarket struts and shocks you won't beleive you didn't do it earlier.  The difference in handling and traction is really good.

I agree I love the ride with STOCK springs and aftermarket shocks/struts, I did not want to sacrafice the very stiff ride with aftermarket springs.

[lux850]

Gents,

appreciated your comments on choice of suspension parts. Having owned a '96

US model T5 imported for Europe (crazy but true). Sadly its not an R just a GL

and that's the problem - the suspension is just too soft (always was) but now its

getting silly, so think I'm headed for Bilstein land. Only question I have since all references seem to be for R's is - what to do for springs? Buy or keep the existing stock springs, or go can I go for something a little more serious such as the R springs? What would it mean in terms of height, can you make the change over easily etc, bearing in mind I'd like a firmer ride without the wife or the kids teeth rattling out?! Thanks.

[steve s]

stiffer springs will make for a harder ride. the stock springs with bilstein hd work really well. if u do go stiffer (r or aftermarket, which will lower probably 15mm~25mm depending on car)...stay away from 17", stick with the 15" or 16" rims to keep some compliance in the suspension...

[XtremePsionic]

I would get Konis all round if I could do it again. But bilstein in the back isn't so bad either.

The ride quality of the Konis are excellent, but you get the option of making it skateboard like. Bilsteins are great too, but you can't adjust it to your liking. If you're going with lowering springs, I highly recommend Konis, thats the only (cheap) way to get the right amount of damping for your springs/taste.