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- Apr 8, 2009
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Right then, my S3 has been in my ownership for a few weeks now, and Ive decided I'll be keeping it for a while. Ive just sold my previous car, so I have some money to throw at the car.
The car is already remapped, has decent wheels (thats my wheel in my avatar) and the bodywork is as good as any car Ive owned.
My budget is £1500-£2000, but that is to include labour for any parts fitted, and the closer I can keep it to £1500 the better.
The car is already lowered, but I'm 99% certain that its uprated springs on OEM dampers. So it sits nice and low and mean but rides like a pig - bumpy, crashy and unsettled.
So the first item on my list is shocks and springs. Coilovers are for the track guys and wannabe track guys- I do my driving on urban, A & B roads and motorways. I want a ride at least as comfortable as the OEM setup but with better feel and handling. I don't think thats an unrealistic ambition? Billy B8s and H&R springs are a favourite on here, but that would be close to half my budget gone, so I was thinking of something more modest like the Weitec GT or KW kit (matched springs and shocks)? What do we think? Any alternatives?
The suspension is also creaking on occasion, so I'm assuming the bushes are knackered. I plan to get ALL the bushes replaced, I don't see a problem with using OEM bushes all round. Plus droplinks. What about wishbones and balljoints? Is it worthwhile changing these? Any other suspension bits that I could freshen up while my mechanic is doing the above? (I realise its hard to know what might be worn without looking underneath my car, Im just looking for pointers).
Other items that are on my shopping list are:
Braided brakes lines (approx £50)
Forge DV (approx £90)
N75 "j" valve (approx £30) - my APY engine should be ok with this
Uprated brake pads all round, nothing too hardcore - (approx £120)
Two items I haven't mentioned are ARBs and tie bars - I can live with the understeer, so I'm not keen on spending £100's on uprated ARBs. I do realise adjustable tie bars are essential to get proper camber, and I can factor these in. Id be interested to know who can provide the cheapest adjustable tie bars??
Various things Ive asked have been covered before, but Id really appreciate all your comments and opinions, as they may well determine where my money goes.
The car is already remapped, has decent wheels (thats my wheel in my avatar) and the bodywork is as good as any car Ive owned.
My budget is £1500-£2000, but that is to include labour for any parts fitted, and the closer I can keep it to £1500 the better.
The car is already lowered, but I'm 99% certain that its uprated springs on OEM dampers. So it sits nice and low and mean but rides like a pig - bumpy, crashy and unsettled.
So the first item on my list is shocks and springs. Coilovers are for the track guys and wannabe track guys- I do my driving on urban, A & B roads and motorways. I want a ride at least as comfortable as the OEM setup but with better feel and handling. I don't think thats an unrealistic ambition? Billy B8s and H&R springs are a favourite on here, but that would be close to half my budget gone, so I was thinking of something more modest like the Weitec GT or KW kit (matched springs and shocks)? What do we think? Any alternatives?
The suspension is also creaking on occasion, so I'm assuming the bushes are knackered. I plan to get ALL the bushes replaced, I don't see a problem with using OEM bushes all round. Plus droplinks. What about wishbones and balljoints? Is it worthwhile changing these? Any other suspension bits that I could freshen up while my mechanic is doing the above? (I realise its hard to know what might be worn without looking underneath my car, Im just looking for pointers).
Other items that are on my shopping list are:
Braided brakes lines (approx £50)
Forge DV (approx £90)
N75 "j" valve (approx £30) - my APY engine should be ok with this
Uprated brake pads all round, nothing too hardcore - (approx £120)
Two items I haven't mentioned are ARBs and tie bars - I can live with the understeer, so I'm not keen on spending £100's on uprated ARBs. I do realise adjustable tie bars are essential to get proper camber, and I can factor these in. Id be interested to know who can provide the cheapest adjustable tie bars??
Various things Ive asked have been covered before, but Id really appreciate all your comments and opinions, as they may well determine where my money goes.