Reversing my drop?

[SchrodingersCar]

Hi everyone,

I just picked up a used Abarth and I'm loving it so far, but unfortunately I'm not loving the ride quality. The previous owner installed the 500madness v-maxx coilovers ("autosport" variety), and the ride is just WAY too rough and low for my liking on these ****ty Chicago streets. I'm not really a diy guy, but I had a shop look the suspension over and they say the coilovers are already adjusted to their max height. So here's my question:

I'm considering swapping the suspension out for Koni yellows and H&R springs, as this seems to be the most "chill" option for ride comfort and height. Would this be worth the money? Or would I be looking at an almost as harsh ride anyway, since the car is still lowered an inch? Basically I don't want to blow all this money to find out the ride is not that different. I would even consider switch back to stock, but unfortunately finding an OEM suspension has proven to be at least twice as expensive so far.

I do like the looks of a MODERATE drop, but ride comfort is more important as this is my daily. Am I on the right track with koni/H&R?

[Fiat500USA]

Hi everyone,

I just picked up a used Abarth and I'm loving it so far, but unfortunately I'm not loving the ride quality. The previous owner installed the 500madness v-maxx coilovers ("autosport" variety), and the ride is just WAY too rough and low for my liking on these ****ty Chicago streets. I'm not really a diy guy, but I had a shop look the suspension over and they say the coilovers are already adjusted to their max height. So here's my question:

I'm considering swapping the suspension out for Koni yellows and H&R springs, as this seems to be the most "chill" option for ride comfort and height. Would this be worth the money? Or would I be looking at an almost as harsh ride anyway, since the car is still lowered an inch? Basically I don't want to blow all this money to find out the ride is not that different. I would even consider switch back to stock, but unfortunately finding an OEM suspension has proven to be at least twice as expensive so far.

I do like the looks of a MODERATE drop, but ride comfort is more important as this is my daily. Am I on the right track with koni/H&R?

I would check with our vendors for take-offs as the factory set up will be the most comfortable.

I don't have H&Rs but have Eibachs Pros which have a slight drop. They aren't much stiffer than the factory springs, but on a crappy urban road, they are firm. It is not a comfy ride. Occasionally I have to drive through the city we have here with pot holes and patches every 10 feet and it is very aggravating. If I had to do it all the time, I would opt for the stock suspension.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

[bryanintowson]

agree with the Admin here - either go back to stock or find stock take-offs on the second-hand market.

[mp4guy]

I'll stick my neck out to say the tire size is probably more influential on ride quality than the springs (unless they're the gonzo stiff variety.) The short sidewall of the 17" will never make for a plush ride.

[SchrodingersCar]

I'll stick my neck out to say the tire size is probably more influential on ride quality than the springs (unless they're the gonzo stiff variety.) The short sidewall of the 17" will never make for a plush ride.

I'm on 16" wheels already, but I really suspect that these coilovers are trash. They feel simultaneously too stiff and too bouncy.

Forgive my forum newbiness, is there a sticky post somewhere with vendors that might have OE springs?

[smark]

I'm on 16" wheels already, but I really suspect that these coilovers are trash. They feel simultaneously too stiff and too bouncy.

Forgive my forum newbiness, is there a sticky post somewhere with vendors that might have OE springs?

Try 500 madness.com. They might have some take offs.

[Hermiabarth]

My partner has a fragile back and she suffers over bumps in my stock Abarth. It seems to me that coil-overs should be the answer to achieving a softer ride, if you are able to choose the spring rate, set a sensible ride height and select a reasonable range of damping adjustment on the shocks. I don't know if a company like BCS will build coil-overs with custom specs. I haven't got around to making inquiries.