Currently running BC coilovers on my R26. They look like an early version, have seen better days and are a bit too hard for daily use. Tyres are often scraping the arches too but due to age, I think any adjustment would just be too much hassle. So, out with old and in with the new! With cost not being the most important factor, what upgrade would everyone recommend for mainly fast road use? I probably only do 1-2 track days a year but would obvs like them to perform when I do!
Replace them with new BC’s?! I love mine. they are very good value for money, until you get into much more expensive suspension.
Cheers Billy. It’s something I’ve thought about. ‘Value for money’ is on the list but certainly not top of the list. Out and out performance on both track and road is what I’m looking for. BC’s (mine at least) feel like I’m driving on wooden wheels on the road. They’ve got to go. So with an upgrade in mind, I think I’m torn between the AST 5100 and the Nitron R1 setup. Has anyone had experience with both?
It sounds like you are committed to spending the cash - fair enough. All I would say in defence of the BC’s is that when carefully set up, they ride and perform better than the stock Cup suspension in my opinion. I’m also running the softer 7/4kg springs and not maxing-out the damping on the shock, so the ride is smooth and compliant - that is a deliberate choice because it’s a road car mostly.
I've heard from different people that AST are very good for nice and smooth surface circuits but the downside is they are too hard for fast road and uneven surfaces and bumps. Never tried them by my self to be honest but I can understand that they are mainly track focused suspension. The thing with the Nitrons is you can ask for advice and they will configure the suspension towards your requirements if you are looking a road or track bias, I believe. In other hand, KW's v3 are an intermediate option between AST and Nitron and I believe they are also in the hard side but not as hard as AST and also a little bit less expensive but you have to add the price of camber adjustable top mounts. From other brands (apart from BC), never heared an opinion, sadly. If you don't mind money that much, I would ask Nitron for advice. Tell them your expectations for the car and for sure they can give you the best advice posible. Personally, I'm between KW with top mounts and Nitron for my R26 for track/road set up, but don't have the money right now haha. Cheers!
ASTs are incredible on the road when wound back, complaint and good ride quality.. They will also spec and build them to whatever you want, Just like the Nitron you mention. BCs are utterly wank in comparison
for fast road,the oem R26 set up is hard to beat for all round ability..just as it is on the mk3. If you use your car mainly for the road,lowering it will just make the car handle worse on our crappy roads. Theres a reason why Renault runs such a high ride height compared to everyone else..But both the mk2 and mk3 out handled all the rivals. I have had various kits using the car exactly like you intend.With stiffer suspension,and lowering springs,when commited the car simply runs out of suspension travel,losing the confidence in the chassis. I went back to a all new OEM set up,including OEM springs,which now i beleive are discontinued..but you can buy direct replacements.. Still amazes me how much speed the car car carry down a typical British crappy surfaced road,without ever bottoming out,or being bounced offline.
