Shocks are shot at 80K mi. Is the Bilstein HD/M030's still the best bet for...
08-12-2008, 02:26 PM
#17
Rennlist Member
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.
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.
08-12-2008, 05:41 PM
#24
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
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.
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.
08-12-2008, 05:50 PM
#25
Seared
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
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.
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.
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
08-12-2008, 05:53 PM
#26
Rennlist Member
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.
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.
08-12-2008, 06:15 PM
#28
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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.
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.
08-12-2008, 06:50 PM
#30
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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.
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.