V70: Suspension 2009 R Design Nivomat Suspension

[Ant B]

Some musings from me on replacing Nivomats on this thread (including part numbers); https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=321955

In summary you can't get them cheap from anywhere, no pattern parts available so you WILL be paying around £500 for each shock (new). The problem is when I looked at replacing with standard, the cost wasn't much less as you'll need other parts as well as just shocks, all the cheaper kits were either out of stock, or shipping costs from overseas made them almost the cost of the Nivomats, plus there was always the question mark over whether they would actually fit as a direct replacement.

Still don't regret spending £1,000 replacing the Nivomats, the car is much more settled at the rear and flatter in the corners, but I appreciate it's a LOT of cash to spend...

[ScV70t]

Originally Posted by Ant B

Some musings from me on replacing Nivomats on this thread (including part numbers); https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=321955

In summary you can't get them cheap from anywhere, no pattern parts available so you WILL be paying around £500 for each shock (new). The problem is when I looked at replacing with standard, the cost wasn't much less as you'll need other parts as well as just shocks, all the cheaper kits were either out of stock, or shipping costs from overseas made them almost the cost of the Nivomats, plus there was always the question mark over whether they would actually fit as a direct replacement.

Still don't regret spending £1,000 replacing the Nivomats, the car is much more settled at the rear and flatter in the corners, but I appreciate it's a LOT of cash to spend...

I'm picking up a v70 on Saturday, and all 4 shocks have been pulled on the MOT at the beginning of this month as advisories.. I'm obviously yet to get the car in the air and have a proper look, but I would ideally like to lower the v70. Its a D5 2010 R-Design and I feel the Nivomats are gonna be standard on it which doesn't help my situation down the line when I do swap them out (probably in summer), but my question is can you fit lowering springs to Nivomats on the back end with them do you know?

[hal9000f]

Originally Posted by ScV70t

... but my question is can you fit lowering springs to Nivomats on the back end with them do you know?

I am not sure, but probably not, because Nivomats keep the car up and have weaker springs.

Stronger springs keep the car without Nivomats up.

I had Nivomats on 855 TDI, and did the conversion to normal shocks 3-4 yrs ago.

The whole conversion including both shocks and springs and other needed parts was cheaper than the price of only one Nivomat

And I didn't use cheap parts.

[simboc2004]

All R Design V70s had Nivomats as standard. This was one of the reasons I bought a non-R Design and then converted mine to look like one (and also because I liked the chrome window trim as fitted on other models and used by Heico in their "hot" versions). I then (whilst renewing all the suspension components) lowered the suspension 40mm using Eibach springs and adapted bump stops. Way cheaper than replacing Nivomats...

Although all the R Design trim is waaaaay overpriced

[Puffster]

I spent a long time looking for Nivomats to replace one of my rear shocks but unfortunately and eventually had to bite the bullet and get one for my XC70 from Volvo - Part 31408418. List is £506+VAT but FRF forum discount with VAT was £450. Still stung but not as much...

[Calum86]

I ended up buying 2 second hand ones, £360 for both delivered. Fitted one and have another as a spare.