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Suspension recommendation

12K views 95 replies 16 participants last post by  jomor 
#1 ·
OK, the big moment has come :D

I m going for a new suspension for my bella. I just had the steering rack replaced on warranty and the front noise is gone :cool: Now the rear noise is from the shocks and its getting worse day by day, so i was thinking to fit a set of H&R springs ( as they are softer (!!) than the stock ones at the first mm of compression ) and i need to find a set of shocks that will be a soft match for them.

Until now i only tested a 147 with HR+stock shocks ( quite comfort combo, but gives a slight body roll on some occasions, and they stock shocks dont last long). I also tested a 147 with HR springs and Bilstein B8 (yellow sprint) shocks. Great performance, I cant say it was harsh, but i cant say it was comfort either.

I would like a shock that will be between these two, a bit softer than the B8.

I was thinking about the red Konis but everybody says that they they need re-adjustment every once in a while and they have reliability problems lately as all Konis have.

B8 seems the only solution until now, any ideas ?
 
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#29 ·
Ok, I've just re-read this whole thread. Jomor, are you sure that your rear shocks are knackered or could it be another part of the suspension making the noise? If they are still working at the minute, why not get the HR springs that you want, and fit them now. That should give you a better idea of what you want because it won't be just a short test drive, you will be living with them day to day. If the shocks don't last long, it doesn't really matter because you were going to change them anyway!!

Then you can decide how much harder or softer you want to go, but bear in mind that your shocks will probably already be softer than standard new ones. If the springs don't dislocate with these shocks and it doesn't bottom out, then the B4's and B6's should also be fine on your car.

The Bilstein web site also states that they will make any of their shocks harder or softer if you can't find what you want, but you have to take your car to their shop to have this done.

Hope this helps.
 
#31 ·
Thanks Dave, I cant be 100% sure that the rear shocks are making the noise, since none of the mechanics cant figure it out with certainty. The latest "version" of the diagnosis, is that the shocks are responsible.
But in the past, they claimed that it could be a bush or a top mount or something loose or the strut bar or or or...
So I have to be the victim of thein incapability, since I chose a car with low reliability and non-existent customer support.
I dont have the time to be the 147's nanny and play around try to figure out problems and find solutions that should be given by professionals. The shocks are a bit soft for the car and they probably make noise. So probably need replacement. Of course, i m a jinx so there is a strong possibility that
the noise will remain after replacing the shocks. But I cant wait any longer for the mechanics to learn
their job, I must do something either to fix the car and the only thing I can do as a non-professional
is the trial and error method.

About the Bilstein shock customisation, thats quite interesting, but when I talked to the importer's help desk, the guy never mentioned anything about such thing, even though i made clear that I would like something softer than the B8 and fully compatible with the HRs. Unless I have to drive to Germany :D

I guess I have 3 options, repair the oem if the price is reasonable, B4, or live with the noise :rolleyes:
 
#35 ·
Hey Jomor,

I think it's time you make a kind off matrix with all the options you have (H&R, Koni, Spax, ...) and the things you need (spring, dampers, comfort, ...). Then I think you can decide what too buy. Eventually you are going to change them anyway, but changing springs and dampers at one time is less expspensive then first doing one thing and then another.

As we all know, most off us go for the yellow Koni, H&R combination. Maybe it's your turn to try something else and convince us that the world is bigger then those 2 brands :D .

Keep us updated !!
 
#36 ·
Spax seems quite good idea. They have the black model which is the soft version and a yellow (performance) model which has 24 points of adjustment! At their softest setting (1st click of the knob) they re quite soft, very close to the oem damper as they say at their website. Which seems very good in my case.

I knew it was too good to be true... Spax doesnt make shocks for the 147.. Just springs :rolleyes:
 
#40 ·
Well ? Here she is on H&Rs and B4. Sorry for the bad quality pics (used my mobile) Ride is not harsh (as expected) and it handles good, even though i dont know yet how it feels on high speeds, I didnt have the chance to test it in a free of traffic road.

How does she look ?
 
#42 ·
Hoygaard said:
:Expecting a better report than that
Detailed report in a few dayz, i cant be sure with half an hour driving :D First impressions are positive though. The most important is that the rear noise is gone :cool: and the ride is not harsh. I now have to see how it corners and how it handles on high speeds
 
G
#43 ·
Hey Jomor,
Can I assume the sound you were getting from the back was due to dodgy absorbers?

My workshop has suggested that there is freeplay in the absorber and that is what is causing the clunking sound in the rear. If that is true, there must be a whole load of freeplay in mine cos it is now clunking even over slight road imperfections.

What about the bushing etc? :confused:
 
#44 ·
jomor said:
Well ? Here she is on H&Rs and B4. Sorry for the bad quality pics (used my mobile) Ride is not harsh (as expected) and it handles good, even though i dont know yet how it feels on high speeds, I didnt have the chance to test it in a free of traffic road.

How does she look ?
Yanni congrats on your choice (B4s was my suggestion too). A big surprise though for me is that you actually changed your suspension :eek:
How soon are you planning a cruise in Limanakia? :D
 
#46 ·
UPDATE AFTER 10 MONTHS: The B4 shocks are already "out of order" :mad: They ve lost their damping force recently and the car bounces up and down more too much. The rear ones make strong noises at potholes when they re cold. :mad:

It seems they re not good enough to handle lowering springs for long...


So I have to pay again for suspension mod in less than a year :rant:


And here we go again: I have two options
a) replace the shocks with Yellow Koni or Yellow Bilstein B8.
b) get new coilovers


a) There are two conflicting opinions about them. Most professionals I know suggest the Bilsteins as less harsh. They say that the Koni's are quite harsh even at their softest adjustment. In fact harshness is not the problem, the problem seems to be that Konis do pass the vibrations and knocks inside the cabin, while the Bilstein doesnt. It filters the knocks and you dont get any suspension noises at potholes while they re not quite soft. The second disadvantage of the Konis (as they claim) is that they loose their adjustment every once in a while and I will need to visit a special garage for a proper readjustment (done with measurement equipment). On the other hand the bilsteins are "plug & forget". So the professionals suggest the B8s. One of them (whos opinion I trust) said to me that he fitted Konis to a friend of his on his 147 and he replaced them in less than 1000Kms beacause he couldnt stand the knocking (the suspension noises) at each pothole. He fitted Bilsteins and havent returned to complain yet. Many friends and colleagues say that Konis are very hard too. But at this forum, and at the Greek forum, most people suggest the Konis. Go figure! Cost is about 500-600 euros including fitting-alignment for both of them.

b) Coilovers: At the greek forum there has been a long discussion about B&G and FK Highsport coilovers. The B&Gs give great performance (better for track) and the FK are optimized for daily driving (with very good performance). They re both height adjustables. Price is 1500 euro for B&G ( out of the question ) and 1100 euros for FK.

Any opinions whould be appreciated.

I would like something that wont make me loose my dental fillings on each pothole, and something I wont have to replace next year.
 
#47 ·
Jomor I have 2 letters for you.They are KW. :D

I told you so along time ago about the product quality and ability of these babies.

Get the KW Variant 2s and you wont go wrong.Fully stainless steel,wont rust or fall off and height/damping adjustable-you wont loose your teeth with these either.I have the race spec Variant 3s on my car.

Why did you change the standard Alfa shocks/springs in the first place? :confused:

I thought you said that you would never modify what you think/said to me is a beautifully crafted/engineered car.That it was/is perfect the way it was made and handles perfectly too_Or is the dark side now tempting/luring you over? :lol:

P.S - 1 or 2 other members here have since put the KW variant 1s and 2s on their 147s and have had nothing but praise for them too.
 
#48 ·
Alfadublin said:
race spec Variant 3s on my car.

Why did you change the standard Alfa shocks/springs in the first place? :confused:

I thought you said that you would never modify what you think/said to me is a beautifully crafted/engineered car.That it was/is perfect the way it was made and handles perfectly too_Or is the dark side now tempting/luring you over? :lol:
Aaah, day of revenge came up finally huh? ok :D

Alfadublin, the car is beatifully engineered, the implementation is what sucks. The part's quality that is.

I wouldnt mod my suspension if it hadn't broken down since 10.000Kms on the clock. The damned shocks started making noises too soon (which has
nothing to do if it performs well or not when new). Well designed, but unfortunately unreliable. ( you probably dont know what this means, because
there isnt any original (thus unreliable) alfa romeo part on your alfa :p :p , j/k )

The shocks died too soon, so they had to be replaced.

And where did I say that I am against mods in general? I am against extreme mods, for example I wouldnt put 19" wheels or lower it 7cm or do something that alters the designers point of view (for example an angular body kit in a smoothed curve body). but I m not against discrete mods.

Closing the parenthesis, I take your word about variant 2, but i cant afford it. I m doing changes at my house at this period and i cant go for such an expensive set.
 
#49 ·
btw i m not sure about variant 1. many find them quite harsh, and there are many used variant 1 for sale around here, which means the owners didnt like it much. On the other hand i hear quite positive comments about variant 2, as you described.
 
#50 ·
jomor said:
btw i m not sure about variant 1. many find them quite harsh, and there are many used variant 1 for sale around here, which means the owners didnt like it much. On the other hand i hear quite positive comments about variant 2, as you described.
Revenge?Never even crossed my mind.Honestly.Im not into all that revenge stuff.Its not my style. ;)

The Variant 1s are only height adjustable and have fixed dampening,the variant 2s are height/dampening adjustable.You can set the suspension to soft,medium or hard with the Variant 2s.So those might be right up your street.
I drove a Golf Mk 4 with the KW V2s on them and the ride was lovely and solid and firm,yet softish on the rougher roads or over bumps.Great piece of kit and very well made too.

I can absolutely recommend the Variant 3s but these are extreme race spec coilovers but are multi adjustable with height/dampening/rebound settings that can be adjusted to suit both fast road use and slow road use all at the same time.They are 1200+ pounds sterling though.Thats the only down side.The Variant 2s are about 700-800 pounds sterling depending on where you buy them

Hope you get the suspension sorted out to your liking.Thanks :)
 
#51 ·
jomor said:
Thanks for the reply. But I d like to stick with the HRs since i ve tested them myself and I know that they re smooth and progressive.
Don't write off other combos.

I found the eibach springs more progressive than the standard springs with the standard shocks. They need the matching dampers to really shine & can recommend this combo - they have transformed the ride & handling of my car.
 
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