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Almost too hot outside in the sunshine to work on cars, but managed to get the front struts off and the BCs back on now with 7 kg/mm springs. Along the way I discovered a nice tear in the driver's side driveshaft. A bit of reading up on Cliosport.net reveals that this is a common problem and...

Would be interested in driving impressions vs a Clio 1x2. Similar money to buy now. MINI is 200 kgs heavier but can be easily tuned to 200+ bhp.

Bring back Carlos Ghosn!

Thought I’d share this pic given the debate over R26.R harnesses. Sorry for photo orientation but there doesn't seem to be a simple way to change it.

The cashback on Mobiles.co.uk is fairly easy to use - log into your account and the system tells you the date to submit the claim. It’s much more of a faff on Mobile Phones Direct, who make it as tricky as possible hoping that you’ll forget.

Lebara indeed are a Vodafone MVNO. But for £8.50/mth after cashback you can get a Vodafone branded SIM on a 12 month contract with 60 Gb 5G data and unlimited calls and text. Or £4/mth after cashback for 1 Gb data. https://www.mobiles.co.uk/sim-only-deals

Any idea how much to re-valve the ASTs? Would have to do this this to be able to use springs soft enough for my needs.

AST confirmed that my 4100 rear spring rate is 450 lbs/in. Which means they are almost four times as stiff as OEM, or Bilstein B14.

The 7 kg/mm spring is slightly longer than the 9 kg/mm item.

Ordered these just yesterday - great service from BC/Apex.

Once I try the Renault Cup springs I'll have a basis for comparison, but my bum dyno suggests the H+R springs are in OEM territory being fairly soft and imparting a ride quality which is what I would expect OEM to feel like. I've the rear arb on the softer setting, but I believe the turn-in...

Koni could be an option if I decide I need to sort out my rear damping. I'm not sure at this stage if I need to though. Perhaps OEM Cup dampers are all I need.

Steven thanks - you have further validated my conclusion that I need to keep the softer rear spring rate and ditch the coilover rears. So then it's a matter of sorting the turn-in and, if possible, reducing body roll. 7 kg/mm BC springs plus OEM Cup springs (higher roll centre than the H+R...

Thanks chaps. If I still don't get along with the softened BCs, my next port of call will be solid top mounts and camber bolts with OEM struts. I'm convinced I need camber to get the turn-in response I'm looking for. Anyone have experience with Mark Arter or Compbrake top mounts?

Yes that's of course true. When jacking directly under the hub you see much more suspension movement, as you would expect.

7 kg/mm springs ordered from BC. Going to try these on the front along with the H+R springs + Cup dampers at the rear. Not sure about H+R spring rates but assume they are similar to OEM Cup rate. If I'm correct then this combo will be broadly similar to the B14 spring rates which are published...

It’s also just occurred to me that as the ASTs are a proper coilover with the spring mounted at the centre line of the hub unlike the OEM setup which has the springs in-board of the hub, that the effective spring rate at the rear will be stiffer on the ASTs. This might be the main reason for...

Noticed the B14 has a softer rear spring (5 kg/mm) than front, unlike track-biased coilovers which emphasise a stiffer rear (BC for example only offer one rear spring option, 8 kg/mm). Understand the rationale for this on track when a mobile rear end can be useful, but I suspect it's a stiff...

Bolted to plates welded to the floor. I've never felt the benefits of strut braces on other cars, so please forgive me if I come across sceptical! Got the rear ARB already.

Good shout. Camber bolts definitely in the pipeline if I stick with OEM struts. I noticed a lot more tyre squeal on the OEM setup compared with running the BCs on max camber. I suspect the reduction in camber may also be contributing to the vagueness in the steering I experienced. I have a...

You can typically go down +/- 2 kg/mm without needing to re-valve dampers. I had this confirmed to me directly by BC.

There is actually a set of Sachs on sale now requiring refurb. However once refurb is done that's the thick end of a grand and ultimately they are 15-year old tech. For the same money would Trophy suspension still be better than B14s, or BCs with 4 kg/mm front springs? All viable options. As...

The options as I see them in descending order of cost and complexity are: 1. Install OEM Cup springs to replace the H+R items and restore the OEM roll centre. I'm running 15" rims and the arch gap will no doubt be visually displeasing but that doesn't really bother me. 2. Install softer...

Managed a road test yesterday. I live in Central London a long way from interesting roads, so a decent shakedown isn't that easy to do. It actually takes me longer to accomplish a road test than it does to change suspension :) 150 mile round trip starting at 5.30 am Sunday on some of my...

On every single car I have owned previously that came fitted with coilovers, I have junked them in favour of struts and springs. The front BCs are valved for 9 kg/mm meaning I could swap the springs for 7 kg/mm at the softest, which I suspect might still be too stiff. The first port of call...

I recently picked up a 182 which came fully fettled for the track. I actually took delivery of the car at a garage where it had just been serviced with brand-new brake discs, hoses, pads and fluid fitted, set up and corner-weighted ready for a trip to the Nurburgring. However the owner's...

Yes the spray pattern from rattle cans is much finer than from professional spraying equipment, hence the orange peel. Use wet and dry paper to wet sand starting with 800 or 1,000, then 2,000 then finally 3,000. Then use rubbing compound like T-Cut for the final finish. Takes a lot of elbow...

Another fan of Gyeon Rim here. Provides a more subtle satin finish compared to some of the more glossy products out there, which may or may not be a good thing. Smells great too. Used CG for many years but longevity isn't so good compared to newer offerings.

Nice guessing. The buyer pays 6% to Collecting Cars, so actually paid £9,010. Not bad especially given current climate.

It’s never as easy as it looks in the videos. Patience and multiple light coats are key, to avoid paint runs due to spraying too close or too long. I also consistently find orange peel in the lacquer requiring wet sanding to flatten, which is harder and more time-consuming than the painting...