So my car is a little over 3 years old now and heading for it's 48k service, which is the one that for some time I've seen as sensible for some upgrades and some preventative medicine. I have to say firstly that despite all the doomsayers (not on here) before I bought the car, besides the odd electrical hassle (air con and indicators) it feels in fine fettle, there are no clonks from the suspension, the engine is better than ever, and inside and out it looks like new.
Upgrades first. Particularly with a new job meaning a 70 mile round trip commute on quick and sometimes bumpy B-roads, I'm planning to upgrade the dampers, possibly for a full coilover setup but more likely just Bilstein B8's or Koni FSD's and standard springs/ride height/ARB's. I've always been happy with the handling balance, it just feels a little under-damped to me. Any views - from a comfort/stability perspective, not for track work?
Diff/clutch - I'm in two minds whether to do this as for the driving I do the standard diff is fine 99% of the time, even "pressing on", but I may have a Q2 fitted - the question is, would I be daft not to do the clutch at the same time? how much are they? Presumably it is barely more labour... Are the standard diffs really that weak? At the very least I'll have the gear oil changed for Millers synth stuff.
Other "preventative" stuff... I don't want to go crazy as I may change the car in a year or so, but the cambelt/tensioner is a given. What about the water pump as well? Suspension-wise, I was going to have the front lower arms and the front ARB drop-links done as much of the front suspension needs to be off to do some of the above, should i consider the upper arms and ARB too? What about rear suspension? As I've mentioned, it all seems great now (probably as there are no speed bumps around here) but it's about to have a harder life and I'd rather change stuff now than have to in a few months time.
Any advice appreciated
