S40 (New) Body : Suspension & Handling

[justy75]

Hi everyone,

I am new to the Volvo forums and Volvo ownership, but I have been reading the threads with great interest. I have just purchased a 54 plate S40 T5 SE, 30k on the clock and would like to lower the suspension (the 18" wheels look a bit lost in the wheel arch!). I actually quite like the ride quality (although a little wooly compared to the various Subarus that I have owned), so dont particularly wish to compromise it too much. I am in a dilemma whether to either just get some Eibach springs, or go for a full Bilstein B12 setup? On the couple of other occassions that I have fitted Eibach springs to OE shocks in the past they have taken a while to bed in, but once they did they felt very good, relatively progressive and noticeably stiffer.
I have no point of reference for a complete Bilstein setup but would imagine that the dampers would be better suited to the springs that come in the kit, and should feel pretty good from the start? But how much stiffer would they be over the factory setup? And if I was just to change springs I probably wouldnt bother but if I went for the Bilstein setup I would probably go for a set of poly bushes as well.
Just wondering whether anybody else has already gone down this road? Or any feedback / advice / alternatives would be welcome!

Would probably stick a strut brace on too but it seems that the jurys still out on that one!

Thanks

[justy75]

Hi guys,

Does nobody have any advice or even an opinion about this?????!

I have spoken to a couple of "specialists" and I have been quoted 4 hours to change the springs? An hour a corner seems rather long to me - does anybody know whether this is considered a reasonable amount of time?

On a similar note does anyone know how long it should take to change the shocks and springs, as I may go down this road if its not substantially longer.

Thanks in advance.

[Harvey1512]

Way above my know how and as someone who likes a comfort rather than sports drive I would not know where to start. People will reply on here if they have knowledge of the subject but if not they leave it alone. Better no advice than bad advice.

[alfiembra]

An hour per spring doesn't seem unreasonable to me, but I'm thinking along the lines of DIY and not having access to the tools and lifts that garages do. Unless there is a lot of stripping down to do to access the springs then I'd be happy with that.

Alan

[iainmd]

Don't know if it's of any help but Volvo do a lowering kit (basically springs) designed for OEM suspension. IIRC it lowers by 20mm.

I can't say that I feel a need to drop mine as I wouldn't want to compromise the ride quality.

[Welton]

This is strange how other T5'ers are saying things like 'comfort' and 'wooly' with regards to ride and handling because my SE's ride is hard, really hard - it even looks a tiny bit lower than other S40's but hasn't been modded to my knowledge. The T5 is supposed to leave the factory with standard springs but uprated dampers and anti-roll bars.

The T5 was also available with a 'comfort chassis' and a 'dynamic chassis' as far as I can tell from old publications and sales stuff but how would we know what we have now??

To be honest I was kinda thinking my ride was too hard - to the point where I deliberately avoid manholes and bumps in the road to ease the jolting. Mine handles sharply and changes direction quickly with just some body roll when over doing things.

[iainmd]

Originally Posted by Welton

This is strange how other T5'ers are saying things like 'comfort' and 'wooly' with regards to ride and handling because my SE's ride is hard, really hard - it even looks a tiny bit lower than other S40's but hasn't been modded to my knowledge. The T5 is supposed to leave the factory with standard springs but uprated dampers and anti-roll bars.

The T5 was also available with a 'comfort chassis' and a 'dynamic chassis' as far as I can tell from old publications and sales stuff but how would we know what we have now??

To be honest I was kinda thinking my ride was too hard - to the point where I deliberately avoid manholes and bumps in the road to ease the jolting. Mine handles sharply and changes direction quickly with just some body roll when over doing things.

I mentioned comfort because my ride is hard enough and I wouldn't want it any harder. The T5 came as standard with a 'dynamic chassis' according to the marketing blurb I have from the time I bought the car. Even with 17" rather than 18" rims my ride is as hard as I would want it to be and I too avoid potholes like the plague.