I need replacement top mounts, wishbones and shocks, so while I'm at it... upgrade, but I have no idea what would be a sound investment.


Price is not a major object.

I only want lowering of around 10mm as I have speed bumps to deal with. Not too interested in rideheight adjustables on a Coop.

It must also be able to deal wtih a sh!tload of alloy-cracking potholes.

Standard springs and Bilstein dampers every day of the week. Fit lowered and uprated springs and you'll regret it everytime you hit a pot hole

It wont lower the car but it will be a joy to drive

I have KW variant 2 suspension.

For the record, the improvement in handling and grip is extremely noticeable, however every time I hit even a slight hole in the road, it's as though someone just smashed a sledgehammer into the wheel.

Not a compromise most people would want to make I reckon, but for me, it's worth avoiding those holes for the benefits it gives.

Snap!! about hitting pot holes but dont happen to often only when i fall asleep at the wheel

kw 2's for road use are top knotch to be honest along with my other mods i think my coop would be more than adequate on a track too. . . (may just have to try it)

Bummer.

What about progressive springs to counter the potholes?

Is it worth changing the top mounts too?

Basically it's about time I treated the Coop to a complete suspension overhaul. The shocks are fooked. The Top mounts knock. Wishbones will get replaced (again) as I know they're done. Worth getting the drop links done too?

Anything else?

I have bilstein+eibach and guess what...the ride is better then with worn stock suspension

I'm too fine with the Eibach/Billies and 17" wheels. Then again I don't live in UK.

I've got FK Konigsport coilover and i'm really happy

FK isn't the best brand of the world... but the Konigsport kit have Koni parts so it's a really good kit

Honestly, you don't want to be going down the lowered springs or coilover route if you live with loads of potholes in your area.

Just the billys and a freshen up of all the suspension parts will have a really nice handling and the best quality drive you can get out of a coupe.

Change everything man! Top mount, bearing etc...
I did it one year ago and the car is so nice . Also add a camber bolt and get some negative camber. You will love it.

So, recommendations so far are between change everything and change only the shocks...

I need a test drive in something. I dunno maybe a tad lower and proportionately a tad harder is something I'm after?

I meant change all the bits when I said freshen up

How chuffed am I that the man that seems to have tried and tested every setup, give the thumbs up to what my new coupe came with!

And how does it feel Phil ?

To be honest I dont usually push it in the twisties, im more of a boot it when straight type.

The overall feel of the car is firm but in no way too firm. I often say its like a new car handling and feel wise compaired to my old coupe.

I've had one or two occasions of the back feeling a little light and slightly stepping out. Nothing too scary, but i never felt it so much on my pervious standard one. I do suspect the better feel of the new one gave me more confidence, causing higher cornering speeds.

Sorry, not much feedback from me, and possibly a little woolly.

^ So you had a standard setup and only upgraded the shocks?

previous car was standard, new car is all round bilsteins, standard springs.

That much difference just from shocks? Pity you're in Leeds.

Standard springs with billies works really well feels slightly firmer but doesn't crash on bumps or potholes like standard springs. Well worth doing. Replacing top mounts drop rods wishbones etc will tighten up the front end if they are worn. Do you have a front strut brace? another good buy to improve things.

I think alot of the difference is it being a newer coupe 2001 rather 1998. Along with a recent front end suspension refresh.

I have koni adjustable shocks and lowered springs, very harsh over the bumps but on track it is a hundred times better than the original set up. (mind you i think the original set up was very worn when swapped)

New front standard springs and Bilstein's all round are going on next week, I've gone down the lowered route on previous cars and absolutely hated it...

I've got billies, eibach springs, strut brace, whiteline rear ARB and a Nigel brace on the lower subframe

Due to the lowering and Nigel brace, I need to be very careful over speedbumps (esp the type which dont span the whole road) but the handling of the car is much improved over standard

However, before I did any modifications I replaced all of the suspension components (wishbones, top mounts, drop links, track rod ends etc.)

I ran with the new components for a couple of months before fitting the eibachs/billies/ARB and the difference in handling was marked - it felt like a new car

Fitting the Billies,Eibachs and ARB moved things onto the next level - the car is much flatter through corners and more 'pointy' than before. Agree that the setup does crash over potholes, but I tend to avoid them so not really an issue for me (also part of the reason my car still feel like a new car!)

I have to say my 2000 Plus handled very differently(much better)than my old 1997 20vt even though the only difference was a strut brace and poly bushes on the Plus. I have just put a set of Eibach springs on the Plus and it has made an even bigger difference - the car now bounces around a lot more, but on a smooth corner the grip is very, very good - much better than with the standard springs! However the ride confort has suffered somewhat, but as i always put lowered springs on all my cars, im used to it and not that bothered - anyway my brothers bog standard Racing Puma rides much worse than a Coupe with lowered springs! At the end of the day though, remember you are modifying a 20 year old suspension design, so you will never have the handling and ride comfort of a modern car.....

Greg, a set of Bilsteins will sort out that bouncing and make it feel more secure.
The standard dampers aren't quite good enough to control the firmer spring and yours may be slightly worn now making the problem worse.

Problem with the Fiat shocks is they sink to full-load-mode with Eibach springs, so they get really hard. Billies seems to be more fit in rate with that height.

Cheers for the feedback.

It seem I need to decide on Eibachs or similar and the rest is a no brainer.

How much do standard springs wear? I mean, it's a spring. Surely it either works or it doesn't? I really think I should get it lowered, but only a bit, yet it seems this is going to disproportionately change the ride quality of the car.