Hi there,

 

As you may possibly know from my previous (and first) post on here, I recently bought a 2011 Fabia VRS. The previous owner fitted some odd aftermarket springs, which has lowered the car by 20mm all round and left it with a rock hard ride. I wasn't aware of this at the time of purchasing it, but as I have some conditions relating to my back, it's less than ideal. Of course, I appreciate it's a hot hatch and do still want a responsive and flat/level ride and feedback, but what can I do to soften it up just a bit? I have heard of Bilstein suspension and a few other names in these types of threads, but they seem to focus more on getting a sportier ride: the opposite of what I'm after. In a perfect world, I would like it to ride a tad higher, not crash over bumps and ruts in the road and have some give and absorption when going over speed humps, as currently it feels like I take the whole brunt of anything on the road. 

 

As a quick and separate point, to save me writing a post about it, I noticed one of the codes in the service book is "preparation for Sudan". What is it and why is it in a UK car (unless Sudan means something other than the country in this context)? 

Can you put up a picture of the springs and dampers? 

 

What tyres are on it now as in Make?  Are they still 205/40 R 17's?

Maybe go to 16" tyres if needs must after you change the suspension.

 

Maybe is was prepped for going to Sudan.   Or that was the owners name.

 

 @Damian@DPMcan maybe suggest springs and dampers to suit.

3 minutes ago, roottoot said:

Can you put up a picture of the springs and dampers? 

 

What tyres are on it now as in Make?  Are they still 205/40 R 17's?

Maybe go to 16" tyres if needs must after you change the suspension.

 

Maybe is was prepped for going to Sudan.   Or that was the owners name.

 

 @Damian@DPMcan maybe suggest springs and dampers to suit.

 

I've just had a look and seen that it's been lowered on H&R Springs. 

 

It's riding on 17" alloys and has Uniroyal Rainsport 5 (205/40 R17 84W XL) tyres on the front and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 (205/40 ZR 17) on the back (which personally i found odd as to why you'd put the PS4's on the rear). 

 

As for the code, it's BL5 which comes up on the options list as "Special requirements for Sudan", but it was never made to go to Sudan, so i haven't a clue why it's on there 😕 🙂 

Why not?   Some tyres needed to go on at each end.   

I would put the good in the rain ones on the front, the rear can be controlled if you have steering and braking and traction / grip / drive.

 

 Many Tyre fitters tell the customers that they must have new on the rear or they will not fit them.   A punch in the face can offend.

 

?

Is this a Code in the Build Code, or and entry at the PDI?

The Dealer Fit option when new and fitted at the PDI in the UK was Eibach's.

 

 

Edited 5 July, 20223 yr by roottoot

1 minute ago, roottoot said:

Why not?   Some tyres needed to go on at each end.   

 

 Many Tyre fitters tell the customers that they must have new on the rear or they will not fit them.   A punch in the face can offend.

 

?

Is this a Code in the Build Code, or and entry at the PDI?

The Dealer Fit option when new and fitted at the PDI in the UK was Eichbach's. 

How odd! I would have thought that the Pilot Sports would have better grip, so would suit the front end better. But as you say, sometimes these places are jobsworths. 

 

It's in the build code. Do you reckon the Eibach's are better than the H&R's? This looks to be the springs currently on it: https://www.demon-tweeks.com/h-r-lowering-springs-h-r29124-1/?istCompanyId=a2904180-3a7d-4e56-b876-cf81c9512180&istFeedId=0f6db192-3a9a-4369-b1f8-79615c622f96&istItemId=wptppwtia&istBid=t&awaid=6538&utm_source=redbrain&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=css&gclid=CjwKCAjwwo-WBhAMEiwAV4dybSFbXayHTqRFZxZcaZGb5JRugMS5AlUONUXjMZumNRdM9t-EuRhv4RoCEVkQAvD_BwE 

Not better grip in the wet IME.

 

Somebody will advise on springs and dampers.

 

As replacements for broken springs i used OEM ones that were take offs from the PDI.

I did not want lowering and like pretty crap handling cars.

 

As long as they go and stop and get around corners...

Edited 5 July, 20223 yr by roottoot

5 hours ago, roottoot said:

Not better grip in the wet IME.

 

Somebody will advise on springs and dampers.

 

As replacements for broken springs i used OEM ones that were take offs from the PDI.

I did not want lowering and like pretty crap handling cars.

 

As long as they go and stop and get around corners...

I would leave the rainsports on the front they are a phenomenal tyre and grip on pretty much any surface best tyres I have ever had in fairness 

What dampers are fitted with the H&R springs?

 

Damian @ DPM Performance 

On 06/07/2022 at 09:48, Damian@DPM said:

What dampers are fitted with the H&R springs?

 

Damian @ DPM Performance 

My understanding is that they kept everything else as from the factory. It's only the springs which have been changed (which, personally I don't see the logic in doing, but to each their own). One of the issues I've found is that all of the spring and shock combo's ive seen online which promise a more comfy ride are upwards of £1500 for a pair, which seems on the expensive side imo.