Returning Mi16 To Standard Suspension, Good Idea Or Not?

[Ludders 0]

Hi, my MI16 (1.9) is currently running Bilsteins all round but I find it pretty hard for general country road driving and if I'm honest fairly average handling on the bumpy stuff. Virtually all other suspension components have been renewed and now I'm considering returning the suspension to standard (new) shocks and springs.

 

Any experience/suggestions would be very much appreciated.

[Rob Thomson 6]

I've always been a fan of the standard suspension; after-all its what gave the 205 its wonderful reputation as a drivers car. We've all been down the lines of stiffer and lower, but unless you use the car on a track it doesn't make the car any faster and generally makes it much less useable.

 

I've just got my 205 back on the road after a year of being in bits. It's got all new standard suspension and it's wonderful. It's just a joy to drive; it feels light and responsive, rides surprisingly well for a sporty car of its size, and handles sooo nicely. Sure, it's probably not actually all that fast around corners but its all about the driving experience and for that I really don't think you can do much better than standard.

 

Having said all of that, I would like to confirm that I'm a miserable old git.

[Ludders 0]

Cheers Rob I think you've convinced me to go back to standard unless anyone can advise me of possible problems. Like the weight of the MI16 engine being too much for the standard shocks and springs?

[maturin23 10]

I have standard but all new suspension on my 1.9 Mi16 and it's perfect for country road blasts.

[jackherer 543]

Which Bilsteins do you have? If they are the black streetlines the rears are worse than the originals so you will actually be upgrading by fitting standard dampers.

 

306 GTI6 dampers might be a good choice, OE ride quality but slightly uprated compared to 205 ones.

[maturin23 10]

I'll second you there JH

Bilstein Streetline rear shocks are dreadful.

[Guest MKBoy]

Hi,

 

I have a 1.6 gti and i think it has been lowered about 40mm. I have been really tempted to get the original suspensions on my car.

 

But, I am not sure about the costs involved. Would the experienced people be able to tell me how much it could cost me ?

 

Thank you,

Murari

[Rob Thomson 6]

I think it depends what you call original. You should be able to find reasonable second hand bits floating around on here or from breakers for ~£100 all in. I got a bit carried away and bought all new dampers and strut-tops from Peugeot, and new everything else from GSF etc. I also had the rear beam rebuilt. The only parts suspension-wise that I didn't change are the springs, torsion bars, anti-roll bars and the rack. God knows what all that adds up to; I daren't look. But it drives like a dream which I guess is the important thing.

[Guest MKBoy]

I think it depends what you call original. You should be able to find reasonable second hand bits floating around on here or from breakers for ~£100 all in. I got a bit carried away and bought all new dampers and strut-tops from Peugeot, and new everything else from GSF etc. I also had the rear beam rebuilt. The only parts suspension-wise that I didn't change are the springs, torsion bars, anti-roll bars and the rack. God knows what all that adds up to; I daren't look. But it drives like a dream which I guess is the important thing.

 

Hello Rob,

 

I meant standard factory suspensions( when i actually said Original). I know my car handles very well, but it is not very comfortable going over the speed humps or rough roads ... I have come to terms with reality and I am no longer a BOY or a racer. So, i am tempted to go for suspensions that would make the car more comfortable.

 

I would try the breakers and see if i can lay my hands on a decent set of standard suspensions.

 

Thank you,

Murari

[monty69 6]

When i bought my s16 205 it was lowered about 40mm, handling was great until i was traming down a slip road and the thing almost bounced into the next lane at the bottom. The bump stops looked well batterd. Also got slight driveshaft wobble under hard acceleration(new shafts).I have tryed standard setup which was very good for uk roads .Now i have changed to skip brown springs on standard shocks which is perfect ride height for road( no more bump stop moments), feel slightly stiffer than standard, fine with standard shocks. I have read lots of posts on skip brown springs and harsh ride, i can only think it was down to the "uprated" shocks they used with them.

[mat1227 1]

Slight hijack, but might be interesting for people in the same position as me - and apologies if the answers to this question are obvious to most - but if I wanted to get my completely standard 18 year old 1.6 suspension back to exactly how it should be when it left the factory, what should my shopping list be?

 

Have replaced rear beam so happy with this for now, just interested in compiling a full list of everything at the front I can source/replace and is likely to have worn to the detriment of the once 'legendary' handling, to get things back to how they should be?

 

Much obliged Mat

[welshpug 1,657]

front and rear dampers and original springs, front dampers Circa £350 a pair, rears Circa £70 a pair.

[mattbenselin 0]

My '89 GTI had completely standard suspension when I bought it and it was really good to drive around town and on the the motorway. However when it came to twisty roads and tight corners there was too much body roll for my liking and then there was the appearance. I'm not one for the really low look, I think it looks silly and worsens the ride considerably. So what i did was to just change the front springs (Pi -40mm) and mount them on new standard shocks and fit an upper strut brace. This set-up really feels nice, not too harsh but much better roll control and looks just right in the arches. Wondering about the bushes next, any thoughts?

The rear on mine is as far as I know standard, the shocks are new and feel great. The ride height is standard and although looks a little high normally, still rubs when the cars full of passengers. Would like it a little lower but not sure what to do.

 

So I would go with standard suspension all round but maybe consider uprated front springs if you still want great cornering ability. Best to try and have a ride in a few different set-ups, see which feels the best. Good luck mate.