Coilovers Vs shocks+springs

[LiamR172]

Hi all.

As my clio is currently off the road, now is the perfect time to get it all sorted out.

It's currently got Spax RSX coilovers fitted on 15" wheels, but it's really harsh and it really ruins the drive on the backroads as it's so bumpy.

I'm thinking of taking the coilovers off, giving them a clean up and selling them (any idea how much they Are worth at all? Fully adjustable ones)
and fitting some new 172 cup shocks along with either cooksport or Eihbach(?) Springs.

Will this be a big improvement for daily driving and back road blasts?

Also, it's currently sitting on 15" 2118s, would changing up to 16" turinis change the handling/speed alot or will I not notice it that much?

Cheers.

 

[182jwilliams]

I've gone from 16" turinis to 15" F1's. I've noticed a difference in handling (I've also got some better tyres on 15") not much in speed but suppose to improve acceleration.

I've got cup shocks all round with cooksports, don't think the shocks have ever been changed. They're ok as daily, still quite harsh. Got some B14's waiting to be fitted as I want less bodyroll on track.

A lot of people recommend the cup shocks and sportlines/cooksports.

 

[leeds_182]

My 182 is on cooksports and I'd say it's harsher than it was on those spax! I don't know if the spax settings have been changed since I had the car though.

 

[LiamR172]

My 182 is on cooksports and I'd say it's harsher than it was on those spax! I don't know if the spax settings have been changed since I had the car though.

Yeah they have been changed. Morgan played about with them and I found it too bouncy as they were so I played around again myself. I guess I could change them again but I don't think it's really going to improve it THAT much.

May be a bit odd but I've never driven a clio on proper fresh standard suspension so I have no idea how good/hard or crashy they are.

It's just a bit annoying when out for a blast and I can't really press on through the bends because when I'm going round a corner and I'm accelerating I'm getting chucked about all over the place.

 

[Stefan.]

Shocks + springs for road

Coilovers for track

imo

 

[Marcos999]

Is it possible to get softer springs for the Spax?

 

[warwickstingray]

Shame you can't drive a bog standard cup. You get more roll but it still grips and quite honestly I think it's better than my family diesel at getting down a rubbish road as it doesn't feel that hard and it's more composed when pressing on.

Standard springs are very expensive new so maybe try the softer Eibachs.

There are a few on here that do run coilovers successfully on the road so maybe they'll be able to sort you out before you give up.

If you've run coil overs on track you will miss them if you continue to track your car. Especially if all you do is smooth circuits and not airfield days.

 

[bozothenutter]

Is it possible to get softer springs for the Spax?

yup, the springs are standard motorsports sizes....Faulkner springs have a good selection.
Roads must be really bad though if the spax setup is too jumpy.
Never had that feeling on mine, set at 14 front 12 rear

 

[Marcos999]

That would be my first port of call then.

 

[bozothenutter]

http://www.dfaulknersprings.com/

 

[Mar172]

Is it possible to get softer springs for the Spax?

What setting are they on ?

 

[leeds2592]

A decent set of coilovers.

 

[Mr R.]

A decent set of coilovers.

This.

I had Spax and fcuked them off after 10 month's.

Now got Bilsteins, different league.

 

[leeds2592]

The problem with coilovers is people get a set for £200 and expect the world and when they obviously turn out to be crap they slate coilovers in general.

A decent set of coilovers will be much better than just replacing springs. Not to mention being able to get your car sitting exactly how you want it.

 

[Martin.]

Unless you're spending over £600 odd (give or take) on coilovers then new cup shocks and springs (or Eibach springs) will be better for the road.

Cheap coilovers are just that. Cheap crap.

Bilstein are the perfect coilovers to go for if you want it very good on the road and decent enough on track. They're around £750 I think.

 

[leeds2592]

If people don't want to spend the world but still want a decent set of coilovers, they need to be looking at AP's.

They're highly rated in the VAG world and are made by KW so are excellent quality. I had a set on my daily A3 for over a year, on the lowest they could go and they were comfier than the standard suspension. Still £500+ though.

 

[182jwilliams]

This.

I had Spax and fcuked them off after 10 month's.

Now got Bilsteins, different league.

What do you think of your billies on road and track?

 

[Mr R.]

I don't track my car, however on the road they are perfect.

There are quite a few on here who do though.

 

[182jwilliams]

I don't track my car, however on the road they are perfect.

There are quite a few on here who do though.

Yeah a lot of people say they're great on track also. They alot harder than springs? (Cooksports). Buzzin' to get mine fitted

 

[Fletcher]

I have H&Rs ( pretty much the same as Bilstein B14's) fitted to my 172 and they're fairly soft, so fine for road use.