H&R Coilovers & ARBs now fitted - My thoughts:

[ZeroK66]

*copied & pasted from another post*

I have had the H&R coil overs fitted to my car along with my H&R ARB's.

The coilovers although provide a harder ride & the car seems to jiggle more on bumpy roads - it seems to soak up bumps MUCH better. I would never describe it as a harsh ride - it really soaks up bumps etc great. Cats eyes for example are not as harsh when driven over & the car seems to sit much firmer on the road. With the standard suspension I seemed to fight the suspension with bump steer/tramming on un-even surfaces.

Now... onto the ARB's - the car is like nothing I expected. Cornering is just a delight. The car corners dead flat & simply sticks like glue. The tail feels planted and the car turns in great (Similar to what it did before) but past about 2 o'clock where I used to experiene understeer - now the car just keeps turning in harder & harder the harder I turn the wheel. It is amazing. Tight roundabouts the car just soaks up and spits out.

The whole setup is simply amazing!! I am truely amazed at how it handles!

[s4woody]

leon... i'm amazed that your amazed its amazing...

[SimonS4MTM]

I must fit me rear ARB

[ZeroK66]

leon... i'm amazed that your amazed its amazing...

I'm amazed you are amazed at my amazement. All in all ARBs are simply amazing.

[ZeroK66]

Well another weekend and I have driven the car about, this time was a long drive along A & B roads.

The A roads were okay, the newly tarred ones great. As soon as it got bumpy it became quite un-comfy. On B roads the car seems quite a handful, it was an unpleasant drive this weekend as the H&R suspension just seemed a little too harsh. I am not that fussy, but feel that I could do with the suspension being a little softer.

I have had the front wheels catch on the fenders on hard cornering, so I may need it raised a little.

The ARB's though are the best thing. I think a nice compromise would be RS4 suspension with H&R ARB's.

[andy1234]

you still driving it even tho your tubbys are fooked?

[ZeroK66]

I am driving with the N75 disconnected so I only get .5bar boost. The turbos are not quite dead yet... but will eventually fail.

[GrahamS4]

How does it feel - probably not that bad is it? 0.5bar - I mean it's only 0.8bar stock isn't it?

[DavidT]

Leon, you can't adjust how hard the suspension is, just the ride height. I suggest you wind the fronts to the top (30mm lower than standard) and match the rears to that.

The ride issues you are experiencing are caused by the front ARB being so stiff. Set it to soft and you will be stunned by the difference in ride and traction on uneven roads.

I have the big front ARB set soft and the smaller (17mm) rear on the hard setting and the ride, handling and balance are excellent.

[philipwalker]

Some of the harshness may be down to the 19" rims and the 35 section tyres. Where as DavidT runs the stock wheels with 225/45x17 tyre.

Cars do seem ride better/more forgiving on 45/40 section tyre.

[philipwalker]

Some of the harshness may be down to the 19" rims and the 35 section tyres. Where as DavidT runs the stock wheels with 225/45x17 tyre.

Cars do seem ride better/more forgiving on 45/40 section tyre.

[DavidT]

Some of the harshness may be down to the 19" rims and the 35 section tyres. Where as DavidT runs the stock wheels with 225/45x17 tyre.

Cars do seem ride better/more forgiving on 45/40 section tyre.

Yep forgot about that.

The 235/40/17 tyres I have used have all given a harder ride, until I put some Michelin PS2 225/45/17 on

[Russ,greys4]

my cars runnin on 19"s and h+r, low as it will go, back tyres in the arch. looks exellent but is bumpy and a nightmare on ruff roads. but on smooth tarmac its mint, with a bit ov effort u can slide it round bends just right. handles spot on. i am allso amazed.

[kevinw]

SFQ - Which holes on the ARB's are the hard or soft setting? I'll be getting mine fitted next week so would like to know.

cheers

[ZeroK66]

Thanks guys... you are quite right about the wheels... I didnt really notice a difference going from my stock 17's to the 19's, but I am sure they would make a difference now.

I will certainly give the ARB settings some thought... its grips & corners like crazy on nice roads, this weekend I was on particularly poor B roads, so that is why I have changed my tune slightly. I am lucky to live in an area with pretty decent roads, so I may soon forget my experience and start to love the car again.

DavidT - I will certainly look at playing with the settings as you have suggested.

Cheers