Shocks are shot at 80K mi. Is the Bilstein HD/M030's still the best bet for...

[AOW162435]

Originally Posted by Mark in Baltimore

Brother needs those like a trepanation...


Andreas

[TAI2]

I love the ROW M033 and OEM shocks on my Cabrio. I wanted a lower car but did not want too stiff of a ride on our lovely NJ roads. The car looks and feels great and I get many compliments on the ride height (1.5" lower than USA specs.). My car is mainly a DD with 4-6 AutoX's a year. If the roads were smoother and I was going to do some DE's, then I would have gone with the M030's and the HD's. BTW, not knowing how skilled a driver you are, I found that I was able to greatly improve my AutoX times by focusing on braking, car balance, rotation and drifting - all the while I had SUV height and worn shocks. I know my times will be better with my upgraded suspension, but the key is to improve my drivng skills and not get caught up in hardware (for the moment).

You can get the M033 + shocks for $767 or so and it is a great DIY. Do it yourself and then get an alignment - you get a nice looking, great handling and smooth riding car for less than $1000.

[Cactus]

Originally Posted by AOW162435

Brother needs those like a trepanation...


Andreas

What'd you call me?

[AOW162435]

Originally Posted by Cactus

What'd you call me?

Asshat. I called you an Asshat.


Andreas

[Cactus]

Originally Posted by AOW162435

Asshat. I called you an Asshat.


Andreas

[AOW162435]

That deserves a vigorous, "WTF?"


Andreas

[Cactus]

Originally Posted by AOW162435

That deserves a vigorous, "WTF?"


Andreas

What that is my friend is another innocent thread derailed

[AOW162435]

Originally Posted by Cactus

What that is my friend is another innocent thread derailed

Andreas

[Steve 96C4S]

Geez, my head is now spinning. I very much appreciate everyone's vibrant advice, even the asshat information, as I've never seen one before and may want to send one to a family member for the holidays this December.

As far as the generous offer to drive your 2 cars David and Tony, that would be great for most people but I wouldn't feel comfortable driving anyone elses car but mine. If I screwed it up in anyway, I'd feel awful. Also, I can rarely figure out what to do or which look, feel, fit or ride is better for me by just driving it for a little while. It would take me a day or 2 to figure that out, and I still might be perplexed.

I really want someone to tell me what to do, like "Dude, just get the M030 and Bilsteins, you'd be crazy not to" or "Dude, get the M033's in your situation and stick with stock springs - it's the ONLY way to go."

Since I understand so little about all this, that's why I need it simplified. I do like a great handling ride, but I don't want a body jarring experience from hell over our crappy local streets. I thought the PSS9's were leaning more towards the latter while the M030 and Bilstein HD's were swinging towards the moderate upgrade side.

[AOW162435]

Originally Posted by Steve 96C4S

Geez, my head is now spinning. I very much appreciate everyone's vibrant advice, even the asshat information, as I've never seen one before and may want to send one to a family member for the holidays this December.

As far as the generous offer to drive your 2 cars David and Tony, that would be great for most people but I wouldn't feel comfortable driving anyone elses car but mine. If I screwed it up in anyway, I'd feel awful. Also, I can rarely figure out what to do or which look, feel, fit or ride is better for me by just driving it for a little while. It would take me a day or 2 to figure that out, and I still might be perplexed.

I really want someone to tell me what to do, like "Dude, just get the M030 and Bilsteins, you'd be crazy not to" or "Dude, get the M033's in your situation and stick with stock springs - it's the ONLY way to go."

Since I understand so little about all this, that's why I need it simplified. I do like a great handling ride, but I don't want a body jarring experience from hell over our crappy local streets. I thought the PSS9's were leaning more towards the latter while the M030 and Bilstein HD's were swinging towards the moderate upgrade side.

Steve,
How about this, "Dude, you have no need for PSS9s, PSS10s, Motons, JRZ, H&R, etc., etc., etc."

Stick with what works for a great many people on this forum - M030 coils & Bilstein HD shocks. The car will behave like it should. You can also opt for the M033 coils for a smidge more comfort - but I have no idea how the two differ in real-world usage.

That's all I got to say about that.


Andreas

[Avid Fan]

HDs with M030 are stiffer than PSS9s in the softest setting. I've never been on a car with M033s but based on everyting you've said, I don't think YOU will like the RoW M030.

So dude...just get the HDs with M033 springs lowered to RoW sport height and aligned to RS specs...you'd be crazy not to...it's the only way to go...for you.

IIRC, M033 springs are the same rates as our factory US springs but shorter since they don't have to comply with stupid North American bumper standards. That should help some.

[TAI2]

+1 to what Louis J said, even though I have M033 + Monroes.

[TRINITONY]

Originally Posted by Steve 96C4S

Geez, my head is now spinning. I very much appreciate everyone's vibrant advice, even the asshat information, as I've never seen one before and may want to send one to a family member for the holidays this December.

As far as the generous offer to drive your 2 cars David and Tony, that would be great for most people but I wouldn't feel comfortable driving anyone elses car but mine. If I screwed it up in anyway, I'd feel awful. Also, I can rarely figure out what to do or which look, feel, fit or ride is better for me by just driving it for a little while. It would take me a day or 2 to figure that out, and I still might be perplexed.

I really want someone to tell me what to do, like "Dude, just get the M030 and Bilsteins, you'd be crazy not to" or "Dude, get the M033's in your situation and stick with stock springs - it's the ONLY way to go."

Since I understand so little about all this, that's why I need it simplified. I do like a great handling ride, but I don't want a body jarring experience from hell over our crappy local streets. I thought the PSS9's were leaning more towards the latter while the M030 and Bilstein HD's were swinging towards the moderate upgrade side.

Dude..if ur planning on taking ur peeps to dinner and stuff in DC...get the pssssss9...lol..

[TRINITONY]

or what Louis said...

[95 C4 993]

Originally Posted by Louis J.

HDs with M030 are stiffer than PSS9s in the softest setting. I've never been on a car with M033s but based on everyting you've said, I don't think YOU will like the RoW M030.

So dude...just get the HDs with M033 springs lowered to RoW sport height and aligned to RS specs...you'd be crazy not to...it's the only way to go...for you.

IIRC, M033 springs are the same rates as our factory US springs but shorter since they don't have to comply with stupid North American bumper standards. That should help some.

+1

I think you have M033 and HDs written all over you Steve. Your going to get a great suspension upgrade and a softer ride. Thats about the only difference, in my opinion, your going to see from an "average" driver. I would classify myself as an average driver that likes the raw feel of a sports car.....and plays around on windy, mountain roads, and not Sunday drive behavior. Hence the M030 option for me. It seemed like a good fit for ME. There are a number of positive comments on the M033's and dont think I have seen post where anyone says they suck or I wished I had done something different.