Suspension - a guide for the uninitiated please.

[B21]

Good news @B21 - Eibach are OK with the B4's on their Pro-Kit as well. (Tested on B4 [OEM], B6 [Sport] & B8 [Sport].)

OK good to know for all mankind!-

 

[N52 ZED]

OK good to know for all mankind!-

Definitely me that's for sure. Thanks for your help as always.

 

[B21]

Definitely me that's for sure. Thanks for your help as always.

Its so much better when folks come back when they resolve /bottom out their issues ..often we get asked the problem and never get any feedback..thnx

 

[simnew]

And it will be good to hear the outcome once the new shocks and mountings are fitted. I’m interested to hear if it improves the ride quality as I have a feeling my 98k standard 35i dampers are getting a little stiff abd making the ride worse than it should be. Hence my interest

 

[N52 ZED]

Currently somewhere on their way from Germany I believe. Will keep you updated.

What I do know is I replaced the old front tyres last week and this certainly helped the ride.

Never gave this a thought. Maybe it’s just all in my head!!

 

[Rockhopper]

And it will be good to hear the outcome once the new shocks and mountings are fitted. I’m interested to hear if it improves the ride quality as I have a feeling my 98k standard 35i dampers are getting a little stiff abd making the ride worse than it should be. Hence my interest

They wont get stiff, they'll just loose all their damping which, contrary to what you might expect results in a really crashy ride.

 

[Erudite-Idiot]

They wont get stiff, they'll just loose all their damping which, contrary to what you might expect results in a really crashy ride.

EXACTLY what he said!
The ride on my MSport went from harsh and crashy to surprisingly compliant and grippy.
It has honestly transformed the way the car drives and handles.
Mine is a B12 kit and I also did the drop links along with top mounts etc.

 

[N52 ZED]

Only time will tell for me.

I went with the B4’s as don’t want a harsh ride coupled with Eibach springs and Meyle top mounts.

I can imagine what crashy means but (as the OP’s title suggests) being uninitiated I wouldn’t have a clue!!!!

 

[Erudite-Idiot]

A crashy ride is where your shock absorbers, basically, don't!
So, you feel all the bumps and minor imperfections with no lessening of effect because the shocks (dampers) have stopped doing their job properly/at all.

As my wife put it after the recent suspension replacement. "I thought the car rattled because it is a convertible. Now it doesn't!"

Whether you use B4's or B8's, you will notice the difference after they are fitted

 

[Rockhopper]

That’s it, even my Mrs could feel the difference when I put the B4’s on.

 

[N52 ZED]

All sounds promising - can’t wait.

Thanks for the explanation @Erudite-Idiot .

 

[N52 ZED]

So finally got the B4’s and Eibach’s on (plus spacers).

Turns out the rear shocks were failing but the fronts weren’t too bad.

The all round difference with new equipment and slightly lowered (to me) is amazing. The ride still gives that stiffness feeling without being crashy and it actually handles bumps in the road now without you feeling an alloy might have cracked! Amazing - V happy.