M030 too stiff and too low - possible options

[Mart_S_1970]

Hello,
I am the lucky owner of 964 coupe with M030 option. The height is too low for the country roads around and the suspension feels too stiff . Do you thnik I could replace the springs with ROW standard ones? I would not like to change absorbers while it would require swap of all four mounts .
Are M030 bilsteins long enough to work with standard springs?
Thank you
Martin

[anto1150]

Go for PSS10 coilovers. The are very comfortable and fully height adjustable.

[Mart_S_1970]

Thank you but Pss10 seems to be setup for track days. I,m looking for something with standard 964 comfort.

[anto1150]

PSS10s set at low numbers are plush comfortable, believe me.
Once you install them, you can sell the M030 set.

[aigel]

I thought the MO30 were only springs, so I'd install low mileage stock springs - you can get those cheaply as take offs - and I'd be on my way. I did the "opposite" on my 993. I put stock dampers from a low mileage car into my MO30 springs.

The MO30 also had different sway bars, but I'd imagine those don't affect your ride as much. Still, will want to make sure it all plays together nicely.

[Mart_S_1970]

The m030 is the shocks, springs and swap bars. The shocks are bilsteins where as standard were manufactured by Boge. I have required already The set of standard springs but my concern is if the Bilsteins shocks have too short inner tubes to work with standard higher springs.

[Cobalt]

M030 used the stock 92 on shocks up front and updated rears with different springs as used on the RSA. Rear springs are slightly progressive.

More then likely your shocks are shot causing that stiff feeling you are having. All shocks were made by Boge not Bilstein.

PSS10's are Ok for street use but IMO not very good for track use. Try some MCS if you want track setup.

[matsuzaka]

First of all, most of the stiffness in suspension is due to shocks and not springs, I know this from past experiences with adjustable shocks.
I believe 964 and 993s have adjustable ride heights shocks from factory so you might look at that in regard to ride height.
I put Bilstein B6 with extended thread on my 993 with stock springs In order to get it down towards euro height. I can tell you that my car is significantly stiffer than it with stock shocks. I imagine some would think it’s too stiff, it’s a little too stiff for me too, but I can live with it.
From what I’ve read on this forum and on Rennlist Konis may have been little softer but I was worried about their longevity.

[Cobalt]

The original Boge's get stiff before they loose oil and are completely blown and you are ridding on springs alone. Then the car feels stiff because some perceive the bouncing or deflections associated with the blown shocks as a stiff ride. Many people I know replace the factory shocks with new and are happy. I have gone way beyond that and run MCS 2WNR with 400/550 pound springs on my street C2 and most I know find the ride comfortable and it handles far better than stock.

Yes the shocks do control the springs which is why it is critical both are matched properly together. I would never match the factory shocks with aftermarket springs as they would not be valved properly for an H&R Red or stiffer. There is only minor height adjustability of the stock shocks maybe a 1/2" total but that is used for even ride height more than raising or lowering.

You can run stiffer springs comfortably if your shocks are adjustable and can control the springs properly.