Had a chance to look at car yesterday and found both springs had broken at base of coil.

N/s still had the broken peice laying there and as car still seemed level, this prompted me to check the O/s . Now have the dilema of either fitting original spec.( quoted today £45 +vat. each) or get Spax springs. Really can't afford any alternative solutions and concerned that if I go for complete set of springs, it may be a while before getting fronts fitted, would this cause any problems ?...... Any advice please

Worrying! Have you had lots of heavy stuff in the back?

All my bass gear weighs less then 100 pounds, can't imagine that would have much impact but Norfolk roads could certainly account for it, bl***y pot holes

Last few days car hadn't felt right and this prompted to check it out, wheels off etc. Only have limited mechanical experience but it was very obvious what was wrong and I'm happy to change rear springs myself, just need to do whats best a.s.a.p. appreciate any help at all....thanks.

i guess you can just leave changing the front springs for a holiday or the like, providing you angle your headlights down to compensate while the backs are lower. try to get the lowest drop and go for the spax i say.

edit: lowest drop, as in mm. -20 would be better than -40 etc

Checked local dealer today and was quoted £60 inc. vat for each spring. Need to make a descision very soon and appreciate the replies. Asking myself if it's false economy not getting suspension kit, car has done 84k and don't know expected life of dampers.

I've still got the original springs and dampers that came of my estate but the springs are a different partnumber for the estate and hatch.

This might sound really pikey but assuming both springs have broken just at base maybe consider just getting the springs cut? I realise this brings horrible images to many and don't know if the springs are even coils or what but I read an article in PPC mag a while back (and just googled a bit now) stating this is not actually that bad if done properly and you do your maths. Might be worth looking into if you are on a budget though obviously would have to get fronts to match. Would be cheap and give you time to save for a kit...

Alternatively buy a DECENT spring kit (search forum) such as Eibach or whatever that works with standard dampers and you can uprate the dampers to suit when the shocks eventually die. I'd say consider secondhand springs but that could just be false economy in the long run.

Wouldn't recommend you change the back springs to different height/rating from front though - can't (don't want to) imagine how messy that would get if you crashed either insurance wise. Maybe just bite the bullet and get the OEM springs.