After many years of dreaming and planning I’ve finally acquired a 2012 Roadster Sport Tech 2.0 which I’m going to do a few trackdays in as well using daily.
Looking ahead to suspension upgrades I’ve been chatting with a suspension tuning shop and they recommend I get a ride in a B14 (PSS) or B16 (PSS10) equipped NC to see if that’s what I’m after (I don’t think it is).
So, anyone out there with a Mk.3/3.5/3.75 fitted with Bilstein B14 (PSS) or B16 (PSS10) within a reasonable distance of King’s Lynn Norfolk? Don’t need a drive, a passenger ride will tell me what I need to know.
P.S. Absolutely not interested in Ohlins Road & Track!
Sorry I’m not close enough to be of real help but you might be interested in Paul Roddison’s recommended solution which is Meister R adjustable suspension. Paul is very much the go-to man for modified 5s and well respected if you don’t know him.
The solutions you mentioned could well be very stiff for road use.
I fitted genuine Bilstein B6 Sports, a much superior product to the standard fit Bilsteins fitted to all Sport models. Also fitted Eibach springs and this is an excellent solution for road use with a full alignment with fast road settings.(Initially my mk 3.75 sat very high when first fitted but then after a month settled down to an excellent stance low but not silly low and has been great for touring fully loaded too). Would probably be good for track use as well but with stiffer anti roll bars.
Primarily I’m looking for an OEM quality product, both in function and durability. It is my understanding that the Meister Rs have reduced travel (the much raved about Ohlins have even less!), unlike the Bilsteins which have OEM travel at the rear and increased travel at the front.
That said, I’ll do some digging into the Meisters.
The Eibach springs don’t have enough spring rate for my liking.
Geoff
P.S. There is a photo on the Wheels in Motion website forum showing the huge reduction in travel of the Meister rears over OEM.
Incidentally Ohlins now produce long travel dampers for the ND model MX-5.
I should add I’ve never bought into the adjustable body length damper craze despite all the marketing hype over the benefits; I think many (most?) professional tarmac rally cars including WRC cars (the fastest four wheel vehicles over our roads?) use fixed length dampers.
The Bilstein B6 is certainly a very good starting point, the difference in body control is night and day compared to the original equipment “Bilsteins” and with full suspension travel.
For me the Eibachs work really well, a little lumpy at low speeds but above 40 with the Bilsteins the stability and adjustability of the car is transformed. I did have some springs produced by a proper spring firm for a Mk 2.5 but although they were ok they rusted badly within two years and would only go with a recognised supplier.
We have just come back from 3 weeks driving, wherever possible, the mountain roads of Spain and Portugal. Even with boot and all interior space filled with luggage the car never comes near to bottoming out and apart from a little more roll the driveability is still good.
This is what I’m trying to avoid. My limited understanding of damping (and you know what they say about a little knowledge being a dangerous thing) is that slow speed damping effects handling, and high speed damping affects ride quality, so in theory at least, you can have your cake and eat it. Some ‘internet experts’ have hypothesised that sporty suspension for the masses is deliberately made a firm ride, because that’s what the public expect.
The PSS10s seems like a viable option, as they can be adjusted between their road and track ideal settings. I have heard whispers that even at the softest setting, the ride is still poor, hence my request.