MO33 & Monroes

[M. Schneider]

My MY98 C2S has the Euro market M033 & Monroe dampers as this arrangement was the C2S cars standard suspension in the ROW, or outside of the USA. While my 933 is a USA car an opportunity came around for the factories Werk 1 facility in Stuttgart to change the gearbox, F&R bumpers and install the M033 suspension components.

After that introduction I can say the M033, Monroe dampers, plus up rated OEM F&R sway bars suit my street use just fine. I'm running the stock 17" Cup II wheels with P Zero's. The lower stance, plus a more controlled ride character (than say, the USA stock suspension) works for me. The M033, etc, was installed in 2002 at around 18k miles. Fast forward its late 2009 with 50K plus miles on the clock.

At this point I would suggest substituting the Bilstein HD dampers for the Monroe's. After six or so years and 30K miles the Monroe's are showing signs of softness. The 2010 spring/summer season will include Bilstein HD for the 993C2S

[CAHRERA]

I have the Bilstein HD w/M030 ROW springs never happier.

[Adrienne]

pss10s would be overkill for your purpose, no doubt. I would suggest you go with the HDs. They offer a superb ride, with the added benefit of being re-buildable years down the road when they wear out. You cannot rebuild Monroes, as far as I know. So in the long-run, just strictly based on price, the HDs are a much better deal.

I had the HDs and now the pss10s. In my opinion, the HDs on the street feel a bit like a 4 setting on the pss10s. If you can get a ride from someone with pss10s, ask them to set it to 4 and you will feel the equivalent ride. Or simply get a ride from someone with HDs. I think you will appreciate it.

Regarding preserving the ride comfort you have now...I'd suggest that there is no way you will do that. Your current ride "quality" is compromised because the shocks are shot. No one is going to sell you a shock with equivalent ride comfort except maybe Cadillac. Regardless of what you choose, you are going to notice a complete change in your car's ride. I think you will appreciate it and find it to be an improvement. The car will not be rough...it will be more refined.

[johzev]

Well, I must say that I do see my 993 a little like a wood tennis racket. The new technology will never feel the same even though there is a vast improvement in performance.

I think it's clear for me that I should stick with the MO33 springs and now it's just a decision whether Monroes or Bilstein. The shock technology is the same for both correct? It's just that the Bilsteins will be a little stiffer but also last longer?

Any other recommendations for places to source besides Sunset?

Thanks a bunch for all the feedback. The forum certainly adds to the pleasure of ownership.

[johzev]

Sorry. One more question.

If I do MO33 and Bilstein HD is corner balancing necessary if it's only for street use?

[Adrienne]

Corner balancing is highly recommended, but necessary? Well, I'm not sure if any of this is necessary really. I'd say spend just that little extra and get it corner balanced. It's fine tuning. The 993 is a work of art. Treat it as such and it will bring you miles of pleasure. Besides, you won't know if corner balancing was necessary until after the fact, when you see how out of balance it was. Only one way to find out, right?

[Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems]

JMHO, so take it with a grain of salt,...

We won't install Monroes any longer due to their limited longevity factored by the labor to install and realign the car.

Its simply unfair to the customer, given the limited lifetime warranty on the Bilstein option against the 2 year month factory warranty and the very small difference in ride quality. Performance-wise, Bilstein wins without a doubt.

[berni29]

Hi

Apologies for posting again here on this, but my plans to fit the Monroe kit as taken a hit because the secondhand low mileage kit I was going to buy is from a non aircon car and actually is a different part from the aircon and tiptronic cars. At least in Europe it is. The rear springs are a slightly higher rate for the aircon cars, and mine being heavier with the tiptronic gbox it makes more difference.

My car already had Bilstein B6 sports on the front (is this called "HD" in the USA?) so I will get some for the back and get some standard or perhaps M033 springs separately.

I would say that a proper geometry with corner weighting while you are at it is well worthwhile even for street use.

All the best

Berni

[NC TRACKRAT]

Berni29, the difference in those two kits is next to negligible. Don't pass up a good deal because of it. The difference is 60 lb. (how many stones is that?) between the tip & non-tip cars.

[johzev]

Okay so I'm sticking with the monroes. I ordered the M033 kit yesterday from Sunset. $735.00.

The next thing I need to deal with, are there any bushings that I definitely should replace at 60,000 miles knowing that I'd like to get things as close to new as reasonable?

Today, I started down the slippery slope of cleaning wheel wells with the idea that when it goes to the shop for the new suspension components I want it to come back looking really good.

So far I've made very little progress with the orange peel finished area. The plastic cleans up easily but the orange peel area has some pretty crusty stuff on it that does seem to want to loosen up. Do I dare use a degreaser or should I stick with simple green? And what about the use of a nylon brush? In the second picture notice a white area. I can't tell if I've gone through the paint or if this is some kind of a white build-up that needs to come off?

[jdistefa]

Originally Posted by johzev

Okay so I'm sticking with the monroes.

Sigh. I hear the sound of money being flushed down el crapper.

Originally Posted by johzev

The next thing I need to deal with, are there any bushings that I definitely should replace at 60,000 miles knowing that I'd like to get things as close to new as reasonable?

The usual list:
- check your motor mounts (do a search here for info)
- a-arm bushings (paging Dr. Walrod)
- ball joints - inspect and consider replacing
- visual inspection of steering rack boots, cv boots, rear suspension arm bushings

Originally Posted by johzev

Today, I started down the slippery slope of cleaning wheel wells with the idea that when it goes to the shop for the new suspension components I want it to come back looking really good.

So far I've made very little progress with the orange peel finished area. The plastic cleans up easily but the orange peel area has some pretty crusty stuff on it that does seem to want to loosen up. Do I dare use a degreaser or should I stick with simple green? And what about the use of a nylon brush? In the second picture notice a white area. I can't tell if I've gone through the paint or if this is some kind of a white build-up that needs to come off?

Again, do a search here re. Xenit. Yes, use a nylon brush and get after it... and remove your wheel well liners .

[BLT4SPD]

Originally Posted by johzev

Okay so I'm sticking with the monroes. I ordered the M033 kit yesterday from Sunset. $735.00.

Can you tell me what part numbers you ordered? I thought I pulled the correct M033 numbers out of PET and called Sunset. Even with the out-of-state discount, they were over $1k. I am guessing the error is on my end with the numbers, so I am curious as to what you are ordering.

Thanks!

[johzev]

BLT4SPD

Call me gullible. I spoke with Bob McCarthy at Sunset and just asked for the M033 kit. He did tell me that the kit came consisted of springs and monroe shocks and that the shocks were a different part than what are currently on my car because of the shorter springs. If your not in a hurry and can retrieve the part numbers when they arrive.

[Stealth 993]

The stuff is called cosemolean (SP). It's a protective coating for shipping. It's also on the bottom of the engine.

You need a high power cleaner, Xenit seams to work great, but be carful with the fumes, & wear a clove, the towels will need to be thrown out after. Spray, let soak, wipe of repeat, it will take HOURS to do all of them, your hands & knees will be sore.

[BLT4SPD]

Originally Posted by johzev

Call me gullible. I spoke with Bob McCarthy at Sunset and just asked for the M033 kit. He did tell me that the kit came consisted of springs and monroe shocks and that the shocks were a different part than what are currently on my car because of the shorter springs. If your not in a hurry and can retrieve the part numbers when they arrive.

Not in a hurry, so whenever you get the invoice with the part numbers on it, I'd LOVE to know what they are. Thanks!