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Registered
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,707
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Best Suspension/Tire setup for Daily/Longer Drives?
As I think about getting my 85.5 back on the road this Spring - I'm also addressing the fact that I really want to use this car as a daily driver...plus do some longer trips - like Vermont to the Maine coast - which, depending on where I'm headed - usually means a four to seven hour (one way) trip with some occasional mixed driving conditions.
This is my second 944. My first was lowered with a racing suspension, and boy, talk about feeling the potholes! And while I truly love this car for its attributes, I'm also wanting my current car to be comfortable for the long haul - hopefully without sacrificing too much in the way of handling and road feel. In other words, I'd like a ride which might be considered somewhat "softer" for a 944 - while still having it remain safe and fun to drive. For tires, I'm looking at some Bridgestone Potenza "Ultra High Performance" (215/60/15) all seasons. Looking over the Tire Rack data for these tires - they look pretty impressive...in terms of ride comfort, wet and dry traction, and tread life. Pretty reasonable also at 86.00 per. As for suspension - I'll be evaluating and replacing any worn bushings - and I'm guessing I'll want to stick with the standard rubber bushings, and not go to hard plastic. But what about shocks? From what I gather, the standard Sachs/Boge (or even KB's) might be the best for good ride comfort (good for price also)...but are there other shocks that I should be looking at also? I realize that by wanting a somewhat "softer" ride in a 944, I might be raising some forum hackles... but I truly want this car to be as close to an "all arounder" as possible, without rattling my 55yr. old bones too much on long hauls....while still providing a great ride. Thanks! |
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03-05-2010, 12:30 PM
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Garage Helper
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The oem Sachs/Boge are a good choice - ride comfort and durability
Koni's are a little better and can be adjusted for great ride comfort. They will last a long time and can be adjusted to spirited performance if when you wish. KB's are a little soft for me and they just do jot hold up long enough in our 944's IMHO
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78-924 traded for 80-931 traded for 84-944 traded for 85.5-944 (7th one now).  UAV-M1 (Urban Assault Vehicle - Model 1) Bless the lowered, and pass the nitromethane. Pedal to the metal till you see the gates of hell then brake NLA - No longer available is a four letter word |
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03-05-2010, 12:57 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: O.C. CA
Posts: 4,587
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no hackles at all - i have 2 968s and one is set up with a very tight suspension and the other is bone stock - i love both of them for different reasons, and while i enjoy sporting around in the tight one, the ride of the stock one is very pleasant
while i have worked hard to make the tight one compliant, it is definitely stiffer the key to a compliant suspension is to avoid gas charged shocks and struts - regardless of spring rate, the preload charge makes bumps more noticeable |
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03-05-2010, 01:09 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 3,347
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Go OEM.. bushings, shocks etc.. Maybe even find some sweet 215-60-15s to really soften up the drive! For their time, these cars, even "stock" were pretty impressive. You know what a fully tuned up car feels like (both the good and the bad) but if this car will see no track use, then don't set it up for it.
I found that while I loved my track set up 911, I never used it on the street except to and from events. When I replaced it with a "stock" Porsche, I was suprised how much more I used the car.
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1970 914-6 Past: 2000 Boxster 2.7, 1987 944, 1987 924S 1978 911SC, 1976 914 2.0, 1970 914 w/2056 |
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03-05-2010, 02:35 PM
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I agree fresh stock parts should suit your needs just fine. I like koni though and if you can spare the extra cash they will last a looooooong time
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03-05-2010, 02:46 PM
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ORACLE
