Crashy ride quality - Sportlines

[Sargara]

Hi all,

I was discussing this yesturday with Fred from BTM and would like some opinions on options for my car.

My flamer currently sits on Eibach Sportlines which is exactly the stance im looking for and i dont want it any lower. But im noticing more and more my ride quality is suffering, and every bump feels harsh becoming a crash so to speak. I drove into Birmingham via the M42 and the last stretch is some cheapo cement surface instead of tarmac and it was agony!

Is it worth replacing, will the sportlines cause the same problem?
Are there any uprated shocks that cope better with Sportlines?
For the cost would coilovers be easier, if so whats ride quality like?

Any opinions/advice is welcomed thanks!

 

[ForceIndia]

I would of thought that if the ride quality is getting worse, dampers are on the way out. What use does it get? Track?

 

[Sargara]

No havent tracked it yet. Just the odd trip to down south, mainly town driving and commuting. Cars a 51 plate and been on Eibachs for the past 6 months or so.

 

[Yellow Dave]

I fitted Eibach Sportlines to my 182 with Cup packs and TBH wasn't that impressed with the ride, but stance looked perfect. My thread:
http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?t=407731

I had them on for just under a year and I'd had enough of them, I changed back to standard Cup springs over the holiday and it drives lovely, just looks a little high.

 

[the_prophet]

whats the mileage on the dampers / car? could be dampers that are shot and not the springs causing the problems.

 

[Sargara]

Unsure. I assume they will be fitted from new so its 71k miles since 2001 now. Is there an easy way of identifying if its the dampers?

 

[.Ben.]

You should try Apex! :dead:

 

[the_prophet]

jack the back end up and see if you can see any leaks from the rears, might have to take the wheels off.

i know mine are shagged now, rides terrible and im getting hold of a couple of replacements to fit. mileage is 73k.

 

[Sym0n]

Wouldn't say mine is crashy with Sportlines on and my Konis are set to their stiffest at the rear (minus quarter turn). You're just being soft lol, that bit of the M42 is pure hell in any car...but what do you expect from the Concrete Jungle?

 

[clio_luke]

sounds like the shocks.
i replaced the rear shocks about a year ago and its been much better since. i think the front shocks are on their way out tho, no sign of leakage but small bumps are making a hell of a bang lately.

 

[Sargara]

You're just being soft lol

.... Oh you!

sounds like the shocks.
i replaced the rear shocks about a year ago and its been much better since. i think the front shocks are on their way out tho, no sign of leakage but small bumps are making a hell of a bang lately.

Are you also running SportLines?

I was contemplating replacing shocks but for £60+ a corner you are getting into Coilover money which is why i didnt just go straight out and try that.

 

[murcod]

What size wheels and tyres are you running? (and what pressures?)

I've downsized to 15" because I was sick of the rough/ crashy ride. It's a lot better now and I don't really miss the small trade off in steering response.

 

[Sargara]

Just normal 172 alloys with 195/45/16 as standard. Im guessing by switching to 15s your now running 195/50/15? Hmm never really thought about increasing the tyre depth to improve with the bumps but that makes sense really.

 

[Riley!]

sounds like your shocks are knackered as said, I run sportlines at the min . . . not crashy in the slightest

 

[clio_luke]

Are you also running SportLines?

I was contemplating replacing shocks but for £60+ a corner you are getting into Coilover money which is why i didnt just go straight out and try that.[/quote]


yeah im running sportlines. i will be replacing the front shocks as im pretty sure they are the problem. i was also considering coilovers but a decent set (fitted) is £600+ where as a much cheaper solution is replacing the oe shocks (less than £120 per pair)

and after i fitted the new rear shocks, it definatly sharpened things up.

 

[Aluco]

If you're looking at coilovers for ride quality don't get Ktec ones lol. I bang my head on the roof if I hit a pothole.

 

[fad]

I changed the shocks on mine when the Eibachs became crashy and its still crashy nothing like when it was fresh. I did note that the top mounts where a little worse for wear so I would check this also.

 

[Dan R]

whats the mileage on the dampers / car? could be dampers that are shot and not the springs causing the problems.

yeah it wont be the springs?!? a spring is a spring unless its snapped.
Dampers mite not be too healthy with alot of miles on them

 

[murcod]

Just normal 172 alloys with 195/45/16 as standard. Im guessing by switching to 15s your now running 195/50/15? Hmm never really thought about increasing the tyre depth to improve with the bumps but that makes sense really.

205/50R15 - but only because my stock size was 205/45R16 so they're a closer match overall diameter (than 195 for me.)

195/50R15 would probably be the best option for you.