Suspension

[daneend]

I'm sure somebody has asked this before. I am very unhappy with the ride and handling on my CSE 2.0 Eco (standard, Aero alloys, 130K). Various tyre combinations have not helped much. I have been offered a full Aero kit (dampers and springs) at a good price -£600. Would there be a better way of spending my money. I don't expect the world, just less roll around the corners, quicker recovery after hitting a bump, and no extra road noise. I may later fiddle with the ECU! Any advice?

[damien]

hey,

I'm not sure how they handle compared to a similar kit from Aero but they cost only around £300

http://www.speedparts.se/prod/sp_ch_sportchassi.shtml

just a thought ...

[JeremyFrost]

E mail Elkparts for a quote on the Speedparts bits or check the archives - I bought Konis and PI's for £450 from Motorsportworld. Don't bother with the standard Aero suspension as it isn't great.

[BillJ]

For around £600-ish, I bought the Abbott Racing spring and Koni damper kit for my Aero, although you can save money by getting the dampers elsewhere. This improved both ride comfort and handling, which is quite a feat. The standard Aero ride is rather choppy. I'd definitely recommend the Konis over the standard Aero dampers.

I'd say if you are willing to spend £600 there is much better value for money to be had than the Aero springs and dampers.

[Aero_9000]

Hi,
If I were in your shoes i would thinking about Abbott Racing Motorsport...

Ceck this link out... http://www.abbottracing.com/2003/tuning/9000/9000_chassis.htm


Regards
Aero_9000

[Guest]

Definitely Konis- there's plenty of dealers for them so it pays to shop around.

I'm using PI springs, which are a little cheaper (about £140 excl fitting IIRC) than Abbott, slightly lower and slightly stiffer. Recently a track driving instructor commented on how well my car handled.

However, I used to have a 2 litre Eco, and fitted just the PI springs to it. As long as your standard shocks are OK, this is a very good compromise and transforms the handling of the car- gets rid of the nasty body roll. However if your standard shocks are a bit worn, then they won't cope very well with the extra stiffness of the springs and you ought to replace them.

HTH

[daneend]

Thanks for the advice folks. It sounds as if Koni plus lower springs by Pi, Eibach or Abbott is the way to go. Is there a problem with clearence if the car is lowered 40mm? It looks quite tight round the wheel arches anyway. Would anyone recommend 205/50 instead of 205/55 tyres (on 16" wheels)?
I also want to ask about ECU's. What about reliability, and the effect on the life of other components (turbo?).

Thanks

[Aero_9000]

Hi,
There is no noticeable height with the Koni dampers ETC...

If you are looking for a ECU upgrade check this link out...

http://www.abbottracing.com/2003/tuning/9000/9000_engine.htm

Or talk to them direct tthem direct on 01255 870636

Hope this is some use to you!

Regards
Aero_9000

[saab16valve]

Shox.com they have the lowest prices and fast and quick delivery of all top brands of suspension bits. I HIGHLY recommend them. :cheesy:

[BillJ]

Is there a problem with clearence if the car is lowered 40mm?
No problem with wheel clearance. I do find that I sometimes have to be careful not to ground the front of my Aero with the Abbott suspension, but that's on very uneven ground (in front of my garage, mainly). Speed humps and other normal road conditions are no problem.

I'd stick with the 55-profile tyres, since that is what is recommended and going to 50 will make your speedo read about 3% faster. There is plenty of clearance at the wheel arches. Remember that at maximum compression (on the bump-stops), the wheel arch will still go no lower than it would with the standard suspension.

It's excessive tyre width that will give you a tyre clearance problem.

[Marrk]

Does anyone have any experience of the Bilstein kits EuroCarParts are selling?

[daneend]

Well, I finally started. Poly wishbone bushes - much better feel to steering, and an improvement to handling, small difference at slow speeds to ride quality. I was thinking of doing the roll bar bushes next - would it be better to do just the rear or just the front?
I really need to lose the body roll, so that I feel comfortable with the extra power of an ECU upgrade, but I don't want anything too harsh (small children and wife to consider!)

Many thanks

[Alanb]

Short of cash, I've just fitted Boge springs (40mm lower) bought from Elkparts. This has made a big difference to body roll.

Alanb

[Jo K]

I think I'm one of the few who finds the stock handling on the Aero to be more than adequate! Just had new rubber sway-bar bushes fitted to the rear, and new lower control-arm bushes too. A significant improvement all round, and back to how the Saab engineers intended it.

I think our local roads would be unforgiving on poly, especially with wife and child onboard... :roll:

Just my 2 cents...