36 replies to this topic

[fezzasus]

Bumping this ageing thread as its on the to do list for the new year. I can't find a price for oem springs and dampers. Surely you should change these at the same time as replacing bushes etc. I found the seriously lotus kit and was a bit surprised that it didn't include springs and dampers

Have you thought about putting Exige Bilsteins on instead?
http://www.elisepart...lstein-dampers/
http://www.elisepart...eibach-springs/

Plus a pair of lowering mounts for the front is required as they raise the height slightly.

I've seen these but my thinking is that the guys in Norfolk know more about setting up a sports car for fast road use than I ever will. I've had cars in the past that I've upgraded the suspension on and they were never as usable after as he OEM setup. It's such a perfectly balanced car I don't want to risk this by fitting an after market suspension set up that isn't specifically designed to complement the chassis and original design.

OEM shocks and springs would do me just fine, I'm not a power seeking track day maestro so am happy with the standard feel.

Depends how you approach it. Lotus might know how to set up a car better than anyone else, but it's clear Vauxhall had different ideas; they compromised handling by using 17" alloys at the front, they added ABS which is arguably worse than not having ABS, who knows how many suspension changes they forced over what Lotus ideally wanted.

[james.a]

It's a fair point and the cosmetic change from 16s to 17s at the front was just for looks, but I'd still bet they had little to do with the handling or set up - look at the rest of their contemporary output they can hardly claim to be experts in the field! I suspect the addition of abs was a marketing thing I remember seeing loads of cars that had it like a gti badge around that time

[RalphyBMW]

The way I look at it is the Lotus product is more pure and arguably less compromised by marketing input, plus it has been continually developed. For me, current Exige springs and dampers (possibly different spring rates based on vehicle weight), 16/17, Lotus ABS would all be positive changes unlikely to be at all detrimental to the character of the car.

[Mangham54]

OEM shocks and springs would do me just fine, I'm not a power seeking track day maestro so am happy with the standard feel.

I'd give up drinking with Ken, if I were you. He's clearly having an adverse effect on you.

If you think that standard can't be improved on, take them off and send them to Bilstein and they will rebuild them for you at £100 a corner'ish. I'm sure they could also supply replacement springs or you could get similar from Faulkner Springs.

Speak to AutoVaux re:springs & dampers... They will be £200 a corner max.

[Mangham54]

The way I look at it is the Lotus product is more pure and arguably less compromised by marketing input, plus it has been continually developed.

For me, current Exige springs and dampers (possibly different spring rates based on vehicle weight), 16/17, Lotus ABS would all be positive changes unlikely to be at all detrimental to the character of the car.

They are all incremental changes, the Exige Billies are good, but are a touch harsher on poor road surfaces.

[RalphyBMW]

Granted, my point really (not necessarily well made) is that with say a Focus RS, RenaultSport product, etc chances are the way it left the factory will take some beating, chassis-wise at least. The Lotus product has continued to be developed so the way the VX was signed-off 10+ years ago isn't necessarily the best all round setup.

Edited by RalphyBMW, 18 November 2012 - 11:06 AM.

[james.a]

Fair point ralphy. Sadly it may well be a bit of a moot point. I can't really justify the £1000 ish it would cost to do it all sadly.

[ArticMonkey]

I'd try and look out for a set of second hand sach dampers and springs. I got mine for £300 and they're a far better ride on bumpy roads than stock. The springs are progressive so once pushed they stiffen up to nitron spec. You can adjust the damping for track or just leave them at your required setting if on road.

[nicollow]

Im looking at getting the suspension refreshed this winter, as theres a bit of rattle at the front end at the moment. Ive been trying to search out the best place to get all the stuff. Selecting all the bits from Elise Parts comes out at £560 plus VAT, and the Seriously Lotus all-in-one kit is out of stock. Wheres the cheapest place to get all the stuff at the moment?

[JG]

Phone Dave at SL, he'll sort something out for you.

[nicollow]

Phone Dave at SL, he'll sort something out for you.

 

K, ta. Ive emailed them, and will chase it up tomorrow... 

[Gedi]

The wishbone bushes are out of stock because he rejected the last batch he received from his supplier. I believe there's a new batch on the way so they should be back in stock soon.

[fezzasus]

The wishbone bushes are out of stock because he rejected the last batch he received from his supplier. I believe there's a new batch on the way so they should be back in stock soon.

 

That explains it, last I heard a couple of months ago he was expecting them in a couple of weeks!

[Mike (Cliffie)]

If I were doing a refresh and wanted OEM dampers, I would go for the Quantum Zeros. They are an upgrade but have adjustable ride height but offer OEM ride and are a genuine replacement for OEM Billies. In fact that is exactly what they were designed to do.

[JG]

If I were doing a refresh and wanted OEM dampers, I would go for the Quantum Zeros. They are an upgrade but have adjustable ride height but offer OEM ride and are a genuine replacement for OEM Billies. In fact that is exactly what they were designed to do.

 

/sponsored by Elise Parts

 

[Mike (Cliffie)]

 

If I were doing a refresh and wanted OEM dampers, I would go for the Quantum Zeros. They are an upgrade but have adjustable ride height but offer OEM ride and are a genuine replacement for OEM Billies. In fact that is exactly what they were designed to do.

 

/sponsored by Elise Parts

 

 

Sponsored by Quantum as well and I don't deny it but for OEM replacement they have had a lot of very good feedback on this very forum.

[JG]

I was just teasing