Citroen Hydractive II (air suspension) on E30??

[deian]

Hi guys,

A bit of a weird one this... but has anyone ever thought of putting the Hydractive suspension off a Citroen (top spec XM and Xantia's). It's called Hydractive 2 where it has a sports mode to it. I currently drive a top of the range 2.1TD Xantia with this hydractive suspension and I must admit it is the dogs danglies!! It's nice and soft on the straights but corners well because it switches to sports mode.

I don't know if you guys know how it works but it's basically air suspension connected by hydraulic fluid to control it all. It has sensors to detect, speed, acceleration, braking rate, braking and acceleration speed of the pedal, steering angle, body roll sensor and height correctors the factors make decisions on whether to firm up the suspension. It firms up the suspension by switching out a center sphere via a solenoid. It works well...

So my question is... the e30 like the xantia is a mcpherson strut, so theoretically it's possible to put hydractiveII on an e30, i've not driven an e30 for a while now (sadly) do u guys think it would work well on the e30?

Remember £20 for a sphere (which works as the spring and the damper) is cheap, and they come in all sort of specifications to adjust the ride such a damping rate and softness. You can also adjust the height too (one one for driving though, but theoretically you can adjust the ride height via heigh corrector to suit your taste). Best bit is, you can lift up the suspension to work under the car and to drive it up car ramps.

So what do you guys think? Let me know. I'd be interested to know.
Thanks

[andyborris]

You can fit almost anything to a E30, whether it's worthwhile or you have the skill, time and money, is another matter!

Andy

[fuzzy]

its not something i would consider personally,its just something else to go wrong when the uprated stuff already available is well up to the job

[ed325i]

Have a look on here for air/hydraulic syspension they might help you out. >> www.lowriderforums.com

ED

[deian]

thanks for the links ed. i am thinking about it, as andy said it will take some effort time and money too, believe me here guys, it works REALLY well, my xantia can probably out handle many spring cars, the idea is simple for hydractive cars but people are scared it of it for some reason, reading a few pages of the citroen technical manual on the suspension really impresses on it's simplicty, it's pure genius really... anyway i will keep checking back here to see what others are saying, in the meantime i will check that lowrider forum out,

thanks guys

[stonesie]

I think the citroen system is linked into the brakes too.... not 100% on that but it would make it that bit harder to adapt for E30 use.

[Martinaston]

I've heard there pretty good at falling apart as well.

[pacerpete]

I used to be handsome and have hair before i started messing around with old citroens,Deian you need to get out more !

[ed325i]

Air suspension would be good I would like it on the front of mine so I can lift it up to get over speed humps.

ED

[deian]

mine has done nearly 200,000 miles and still corners like a rollercoaster, yes everything is linked, power steering, brakes, suspension and clutch all linked by the one fluid, oh another thing too...

I would defaintely put the brakes off the Xantia onto any car!!! the brakes are AMAZING!!!! It's all hydraulic u see, there is no vacuum or any master cylinder, u just have a button under the brake pedal and it lets hydraulic fluid into the calipers, simple!

don't worry guys, i still have a fetish over the e30, there is something quite shite about a front wheel drive being pulled by turbo diesel, compared to a 170bhp inline 6 shakin propeling a bmw forward! When I get another BMW I will keep it forever!

[Simon]

[deian]

ok i'll stick to springs and engine conversions, you win