Best supsension setup for S2 coupe?

[MarT2]

Hi all!

I'm would change my suspension setup!

What is the best options?

I think for a RS2 FARB and whiteline RARB, but... what supension kit?

Bilstein sprint + eibach springs is a good option?

Anybody have the refernces for bilstein sprint and eibach springs for S2 coupe?

I have the references for Bilstein sport in M55, but in sprint I only see the M50 version...

I accept too other suspension kits!

Thanks!

[Prophet_dlx]

afaik there are no eibach springs for the S2, only H&R and Weitec.
You will find bilstein b8 for the rear but not for the front, Koni's are good as well but will cost a bit more.
if you go coilover you can look for 2bennet, KW an H&R
hth
philippe

[MarT2]

And the people that mount shorter springs, how do it? Mount bilstein sport + lowering springs?

[MarT2]

I need tu use at front Bilstein Sport (PE3-3086) and rear Bilstein Sprint (P36-3058) with H&R springs at two axles? Isn't bad for the suspension use bilstein sport at front axle with H&R springs?

Other setup recommended?

Cheers

[GazzaG60]

suspension is an individual thing. there is no best just best to suit you.

for instance i like a comfortable ride, not too low for speedbumps and potholed lanes, a little body roll, sharper turning and flatter though the bend. i dont see the S2 as a good handling car so i see no reason to push the limits of comfort. this is a road car and not a track car.

as the 2 sits quite high i had no issue with 30mm lower. i found the bushes, engine mounts and subframe too sloppy. my shockers were well past their best. ball joints were tired as were practically every other suspension component.

i did the following.

1. new koni shocks to sort the damping.
2. same koni springs, the HR's were wrong.
3. solid subframe bushes- theres plenty of compliance inn the subframe and other bits.
4. poly bushes all round - tighter fit less movement.
5. new roll bar bushes at front. i wanted to tighten it but not induce more understeer.
6. new engine mounts. if this moves, the siubframe moves and so does everything else.
7, promounts. controlling the top of the shocker is prwetty important. being used to VW's i know what bad top mounts do to steering and feel.
8. new ball joints. these always help take any vague feel away.
9. rear roll bar - tightens the rear lots.
10. new diff and gearbox mounts front and rear. keep it all whewre it sohuld be.

all this is done front and rear.

a fairly extensive list and my views. it cost a bit to do it all. the important bits are all of them really. eahc provides a benefit and advantange.

my car drives quitely and is very compliant and id say has at least a 20% improvement on feel and drive. like a new car but using better bits.

[Prophet_dlx]

k.alle has an intresting thread here somewhere about the front conversion to koni's with the same H&R springs as those I use withe B6 sport dampers and basicly there is no problem. even an advantage as you don't have to compress the springs.

[MarT2]

And what engine mounts? The originals are good?

[Prophet_dlx]

@Gazza

I won't pretend to know whats the best setup but, I don't know what could possibly be wrong with the H&R springs!?

@Mart2

If you want your car sitting on the road, go for weitec, as they lower the car very much, maybe too much. If you want to lower it slightly go for H&R or Konis as they lower it around 30 mm.
the rest of the setup depends of the road quality and your personal preferences, as for example the solid subframe bushes are not to everybody's taste

[stiglet]

Get some decent rubber on the wheels too! Best bang for buck upgrade you can do to improve handling.

I agree with all above, stiff bushes, stiff springs. It is possible to ruin the handling by lowering too much, so bear that in mind also.

[GazzaG60]

the hr's are good, if you get the 4wd set and not a 2wd set.

cant see why solid subframes are not good. they create no noise or hard feel. bad suspension does this. tighter geometry doesn't.

i like the directness of solid and the feel is no worse than rubber. helps hold the car together better i feel.

[stiglet]

I can vouch for the ally sub bushes too, they are fantastic. If you still have moderately soft wishbone bushes then you'll not notice any increase in vibration. I have solid engine mounts so can't really comment on noise, my car is always noisy anyway!

[Rusty]

For road use with an S2 you don't need much more than the stock springs TBH. Get the rest of the chassis nice and stiff and make sure all the bushes locate the struts correctly and fit uprated ARBs. It's pretty bone shattering whatever you do.

[macspring]

@GazzaG60,

Nice informative post, thanks.

One additional query, what size wheels and tyres are you using with this combination?

Kind regards.

[Sonic]

For road use with an S2 you don't need much more than the stock springs TBH.

Same's true for track use, well, at least the ring.

Stock suspension made for a pretty fun ride as you also know

(Will be interesting to see how my RS2 FARB, Whiteline RARB, promounts, H&Rs and Bilsteins will cope this year! )

[Jamo]

I've had all combinations of springs / dampers on my old Coupe S2

For track / weekend use ( Best Handling )

Bilstein / H&R

For street use

Koni / Standard Springs

For fast road street

Koni / H&R

Bilstein dampers are very unforgiving, I cannot recommend putting them in any S2 where you will use the car daily or frequently unless you use them with stock springs. Even then the Koni and H&R were more comfortable than Bilsteins and Stock.