New cup packed dampers.......make a difference?

[Rhys Beal]

Evening,
Come xmas time I have 3 weeks off so going to treat my clio:approve:

Going to put Eibach Sportline springs on as well as polybushing the front end and whiteline ARB on the rear.

Now my query is, if I put 4 brand new genuine cup packed dampers on with the sportlines and other bits, will they deliver better damping performance and work with the rest of the suspension better than the 7 year old original dampers?

May I also point out that the original dampers are in perfect working order and do not leak oil etc. How much has 7 years taken its toll on my suspension, noticeable?

TIA

 

[sgtbash999]

i've run mine (non cup packed 182) on sportlines for a few yrs now using the standard shocks. my offside rear shock has gone and needs replacing so i'm gonna do both rears at the same time. fronts are still fine though.

question for you - if your getting sportlines & 4 new standard dampers wouldn't it just be easier, better & probably cheaper to get coilies? K-Tec are selling the raceland kit for a little over 200 sheets at the minute...

 

[MartinR]

i have no experience with raceland collies but i wouldn't put them on my car,i have a feeling they will be just like apex springs(neck breakers)

 

[Rhys Beal]

Don't want coilovers for many reasons. Mainly Sportlines and new standard dampers will ride and handle far better than £200 coilovers

 

[TimR26]

New dampers would make a noticeable difference. When I changed to coilovers on my 172 I had a shock that was worn out but didn't have any sign of a leak.

 

[Rhys Beal]

Worth the £220ish of new ones then we think?

 

[Will.]

I put new ones on my rear and it made a difference. My rears weren't leaking but it felt much better. Just need to do the fronts now.

 

[TimR26]

Worth the £220ish of new ones then we think?

Yes, 7 years is a long time.

 

[MartinR]

iam in the same position as you i have been looking at these for a few quid more than standard only problem is they don't do cup version.

http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showthread.php?608430-koni-str-t-shocks

 

[Rhys Beal]

I am not sure if Spax do some uprated dampers to suit the 60mm bolt spacing? Ask Danny at 519

On the other hand, thanks chaps I will slap 4 new'uns on

 

[Gman]

When i got my 55k 172 cup i changed all the springs and dampers for new genuine parts along with all the bushes, the difference was just unbelievable, The items i replaced didn't show any signs of damage but the car just didn't feel that stable at higher cornering speeds.

I have no experience with budget coilovers but can't imagine them to be an improvement over genuine items.

 

[jamie.91]

I'm also thinking about cup dampers for my ph1, ive heard there shorter than ph1 dampers, is that true?

 

[deer_dodger]

When i got my 55k 172 cup i changed all the springs and dampers for new genuine parts along with all the bushes, the difference was just unbelievable, The items i replaced didn't show any signs of damage but the car just didn't feel that stable at higher cornering speeds.

I have no experience with budget coilovers but can't imagine them to be an improvement over genuine items.

I agree, I doubt cheap coilovers will be anywhere near as good as the standard Cup suspension. Renault spent millions (a lot anyway) making the Cup handle well. Slamming it close to the ground and firming it up will, in all probability, make it skittish and lose traction on day to day roads.

I often follow ridiculously lowered cars on the road, only to see the bounce off small undulations in the road, cause momentary loss of contact with the road. If this were to happen on a corner, that could be all you need to cause a spin or unstoppable slide.

Track use may well be a different matter, but I still doubt it would beat Renaults offering.

Granted a lowered car looks great, but I prefer to drive mine than stand / sit outside it and look at it.

Old bloke rant over, sorry!

 

[Rhys Beal]

Granted a lowered car looks great, but I prefer to drive mine than stand / sit outside it and look at it.

I completely agree

 

[Gman]

I've got bilsteins b14 on mine now and yes it does look better for being a little lower but driving it on the road i much prefer the standard setup, and the B14's are meant to be a good coilover for road use!!

 

[Rhys Beal]

Great, thanks chaps

Looks like I will be going for a fully polybushed front end, Whiteline rear ARB, new sportlines, new cup packed dampers and AST solid top mounts

Hopefully that will make a nice difference

 

[scott.p]

Can't believe someone reccomended cheap 200 pound coilovers over a new standard set up, some peope really are mental.

 

[cliobritt]

If it works, A damper is a damper..

 

[cliobritt]

Can't believe someone reccomended cheap 200 pound coilovers over a new standard set up, some peope really are mental.

LOL! if its those KTEC ones they are ok - for about 12 months..

 

[Rhys Beal]

1. A 7 year old, 50k miles etc etc damper, got to be worn in some way shape or form
2. Brand new, tight and better in every single way damper

 

[p@blo]

I've got bilsteins b14 on mine now and yes it does look better for being a little lower but driving it on the road i much prefer the standard setup, and the B14's are meant to be a good coilover for road use!!

Are the Bilsteins not awesome? They is tested fully on the Nurburgring.

 

[p@blo]

Can't believe someone reccomended cheap 200 pound coilovers over a new standard set up, some peope really are mental.

Don't they have the Ktec seal of approval though?

 

[sussex_gti]

Don't forget 182 Cup frot shocks have different spacing on the hub iirc. Does anyone know if this applies to the 172 Cup as well?

 

[scott.p]

Don't they have the Ktec seal of approval though?

Never bought anything from them and don't intend (if at all possible) to start now.

 

[p@blo]

Never bought anything from them and don't intend (if at all possible) to start now.

Oh noes. Apparent Ktec reputation fail

 

[Gman]

Don't forget 182 Cup frot shocks have different spacing on the hub iirc. Does anyone know if this applies to the 172 Cup as well?

No 172 cup shocks are the same as all others, it's just the 182 cup that has different spacing.

 

[MikeLYR27]

Great, thanks chaps

Looks like I will be going for a fully polybushed front end, Whiteline rear ARB, new sportlines, new cup packed dampers and AST solid top mounts

Hopefully that will make a nice difference

I have just put a similar set up on my 182. Got prolines (fantastic spring), rear ABR and 1 degree camber bolts at the front. It feels amazing!!! Doesnt compromise the handling at all, still soaks up bumps etc at high speed and no loss of traction, it still feels like standard just a lot tighter, less roll and inspires more confidence. Best road set up imo.