Reasonable suspension upgrade?

[Gravy]

Hi chaps,

Haven't posted for a while, I've taken on a new job and a new motor so been deciding what to do with the Touring - Upshot is, I love it to bits and want to keep it so I'm looking to start upgrading it next week.

First thing I want to do is renew all suspension bushes and replce all springs and dampers as they feel absolutely knackered!

So, what are the best options - I've heard that Eibach springs with mtec spec bilstein dampers is a really good combo - can anyone vouch for this and point me in the best direction to get hold of them. (do they do a touring reasr bilstein damper?)

Obviously a full h&r coilover kit would be beyond cool but not necessary so the above setup is all I really know.

I'm not looking to lower the car particualrly even though it will happen with uprated kit, I'm far more interested in getting good road holding with a decent ride, I really don't like slammed cars, I think andy335's touring has the optimum stance.

What bushes would you reccomend, standard or uprated, if so, which manufacturer?

Finally, a guide on price would be handy, I assume I should be looking at not a lot more than 500 notes, or is that optimistic?!!

Cheers guys

[toby]

I'm thinking of getting Mtec shocks and springs all round on my touring in the future. They are availble from places like C3 in south London. It will only drop the car about 10-15mm and firm the ride up without getting very hard. This set would be getting on for £450 including other necessaries like top mounts for the shocks.

Apparently bilstein dampers work pretty well with most springs if you get them in the right length for the spring.
There are varieties of Bilstein dampers and many on here use the 'sport' version although these are quite firm apparently.
Mtec shocks are usually made by BOGE though I thought.
All shocks for touring are the same as for the saloon - it is only the rear springs that are different in a touring's suspension.

andy335's touring - I'm not sure how low that is.

The poly bushes from powerflex seem like a good idea as they don't perish. Have no experience of them myself but also considering purchasing. This option always divides opinion. There was a problem with powerflex poly bushes - something connected with steering bushes - can't remember - wonder if that's sorted now.
Bush price? depends if want to replace all bushes buy a kit and it works out cheaper for the powerflex.

Keep us posted on what you decide and pictures - we love pictures

[MikeeMiracle]

My mates just fitted poly bushes to his Golf VR6. Yes it sharpens everything up tons and you get instant responce from the steering wheel but you do feel the stiffness of them. When stationary the whole car vibrates, it's the engine vibration and the poly bushes transfer this into the cabin as they are so hard.

Replacing all the bushes, simple idea, well worth it if they are worn, but they are normally in ackward places so you spend much more on labour than parts if you give it to someone else to do. Cost £700 to have all the bushes done in the VR6, I would imagine it would cost something similar with the beemer.

[Kos]

i've re bushed my IS, standard bushes all round apart from front controll arms and ARB ones, i wont cost you 700 to do either.

bilstein shocks and H&R springs with adjustable ARB's is my set up and its like a train on tracks

[toby]

i've re bushed my IS, standard bushes all round apart from front controll arms and ARB ones, i wont cost you 700 to do either.

bilstein shocks and H&R springs with adjustable ARB's is my set up and its like a train on tracks

bilstein standard or sport Kos
better than Mtec?

[Andy335Touring]

andy335's touring - I'm not sure how low that is.

[Gravy]

Yeh I think Andy's car is understated cool, just how I like it - Cheers for the info Toby/Kos, Looks like I'll opt for standard bushes, Bilstein/HnR combo, I'll most likely leave the ARB's standard for now and upgrade in the future, still deciding what engine to put in, but if I can get the suspension and steering feeling tight and "new" then hopefully it will inspire me to get on and make a decision for the powertrain!

Incidently, is it better to go to the stealers for the bush kit or can you get them cheaper elsewhere (but to the same spec, I don't want bushes made out of chocolate!)

Cheers all

[Kos]

i've re bushed my IS, standard bushes all round apart from front controll arms and ARB ones, i wont cost you 700 to do either.

bilstein shocks and H&R springs with adjustable ARB's is my set up and its like a train on tracks

bilstein standard or sport Kos
better than Mtec?

bilstein sports, the 'inverted' type