Shock absorbers - What to buy?

Brunoandrade98

Brunoandrade98

Paid Member
Hi all,

Any good (and cheaper) aftermarket alternatives to Clio 200 Cup shocks?

Was thinking of fitting them to my 197 as an upgrade from standard shocks and springs, but they're £120 a corner, and I'd then need springs at about £80 each, so overall I'd be looking at around £800, which is more than I can throw at it at the moment.

I tried to find out who makes the OEM shocks, so I could get them cheaper without the Renault box, but couldn't find an answer anywhere, so that's out the window.

My only other option would be aftermarket shocks and springs - But which ones?

As always, any input appreciated :smile:
 
funMACHINE said:
there s nothing cheaper than cup shocks und eibach springs ...
Click to expand...
Surely there's other aftermarket makers doing equivalents for cheaper. Renault don't make their shock absorbers in-house. Someone makes them for them and likely sell them for cheaper without the Renault branding.

Take top mounts, for example...you can either buy them direct from Renault for £57 or the exact same ones from SNR (who makes the originals) for £30. I suspect it'll be the same with shocks.

While the cheapest would be cup shocks and Eibach springs...For not much more, I can get Bilstein B14s - Would that not be a better buy, value for money wise?

Thanks in advance. I'll take any other suggestions
 
turkie172 said:
Where are you at there are cheaper places to buy genuine.
Click to expand...
I'm in Guernsey, so my options are mega limited in terms of buying local. Only one local dealer and they're always more expensive than buying online, despite Guernsey being 0% VAT.

I tend to find the cheapest for me has been RPD with VAT charged at 0%. To put things into perspective, I fitted new wishbones and paid £300 for them at the dealer, as I needed them ASAP. RPD would have been £240 plus a tenner or so in shipping...

I'll take any suggestions for other places, as I've also heard RPD aren't the cheapest, apparently.

But either way, I'm sure upgrading to CUP 200 suspension would be a huge improvement over standard 197 suspension, but at the price point, it really does beg the question if it's good value for money or if an entry-level coilover kit is better for the money.
 
Kam Racing are selling Yellowspeed coilers for £860. Kam Racing are also selling B14s for a little bit less.

If you are on any of the Clio Facebook groups second hand coilers popup from time to time.

I did have a set of B14s for a bit and liked them, but they were too soft for track use so upgraded to some Gaz Golds.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Brunoandrade98
KYB are genuine shock manufacturers and top mounts, but low production volumes and contracts might prevent them from selling aftermarket. I have a 197 with Cup shocks and Eibach springs, while my regular daily 197 has standard suspension. I've seen B14 coilovers in a terrible condition on a road car after less than three years of driving on country roads, even after being cleaned up. How the car drives and feels ultimately depends on where it's driven, how it's driven, and the driver’s expectations, all of which are variable.).
 

Attachments

  • 1761743829165.png
    1761743829165.png
    1 MB · Views: 9
  • Like
Reactions: Sean197
burrellbloke said:
Kam Racing are selling Yellowspeed coilers for £860. Kam Racing are also selling B14s for a little bit less.

If you are on any of the Clio Facebook groups second hand coilers popup from time to time.

I did have a set of B14s for a bit and liked them, but they were too soft for track use so upgraded to some Gaz Golds.
Click to expand...
Might keep an eye out. Not sure the car will see a trackday anytime soon, sadly, so they'd probably be perfect for spirited drives :smile:
 
turkie172 said:
The speed limit there is 35mph and smaller that the isle of man so can you get stuff from Europe without hassle and costs after brexit
Click to expand...
Funny to see that picture, since they claim to be resistant to corrosion! :tearsofjoy:

As for the speed limit..coastal roads are a lovely drive with some (not many, sadly) twisty corners and very popular among petrol heads here. You don't have to go mega fast to have fun.

Besides, I take the car away at least once a year (often more) to either the mainland or Portugal. Was actually there on a road trip there this month where I picked up some Recaros on the way.

This car has been getting a lot of love and new parts, so I've been considering a suspension upgrade.
 
Brunoandrade98 said:
I'm sure upgrading to CUP 200 suspension would be a huge improvement over standard 197 suspension
Click to expand...

It isn't. I've had both, and far preferred the standard 197 suspension as I found it far more compliant and predictable on 'normal' roads whereas 200 cup suspension is far too stiff and bouncy. On my 197 I upgraded to b14s which were great but too soft for on track, and ive now fitted h&r springs to my 200 with the cup dampers as I had a front spring snap. Yet to drive it though on that setup though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RSRowe and burrellbloke
Sean197 said:
It isn't. I've had both, and far preferred the standard 197 suspension as I found it far more compliant on 'normal' roads whereas 200 cup suspension is far too stiff and bouncy. On my 197 I upgraded to b14s which were great but too soft for on track, and ive now fitted h&r springs to my 200 with the cup dampers as I had a front spring snap. Yet to drive it though on that setup though.
Click to expand...
My Clio is only really used on track now and it is stiff and unpleasant to drive on B roads. It is perfect for how I want it to drive on track.

There is a lot to be said for having a softer and more compliant suspension set up if your car is going to do most of its mileage on roads.

I would rather go for a spirited drive in my GR Yaris with its soft suspension than take the Clio out with it's bone crunching set up, and if I was going to track day I would be happy to leave the Yaris at home and take the Clio.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sean197
I personally find the standard suspension good and find the cup shocks with Eibach springs (black ones need to check which type they are) a bit bouncy, I have driven very short distance on Clio 200 genuine cup suspension and that was not so bad on B roads at normal speeds.
 
I've no real opinion about the standard suspensions except that they're all high like a bus.

I've driven 200 Cup dampers with H&R springs for years. This setup can pull fillings from your teeth. You don't want to drive that as a daily. Especially not with rougher roads around.

B14 or original dampers with Eibach springs should be ok for faster road use from what the people say. When it comes to more sporty or track use Madeno Racing is offering Stage 1 and 2 upgrades for the B14 they call BMR14. They'll of course cost plus. One of our guys (who also happens to be a racedriver) has a BMR14 in his road 200 and is happy with it.

H&R also has a Monotube suspension for around 1k €. One of our guys just had one installed and it's at least good for road use from what the people who have driven it say.

Then you've KW with their V1. It's a bit more expensive but the quality of their products and the tech behind it is top notch. If longevity in relation to harsher environments is part of the consideration I'd presumably rarther pay a couple 100 bucks more to have something that's not corroding like above in three years.

I've no clue about GAZ, KYB or what ever UK brands.

funMACHINE said:
there s nothing cheaper than cup shocks und eibach springs ...
Click to expand...

Grüße!

:german:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sean197 and burrellbloke
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar Thread Suggestions

Thread starter Similar threads Forum Replies Date
Kalamat88 Looking to replace OE shocks/struts with aftermarket, lost as where to begin Clio 197 Area 1
B Front shock absorbers part number? Clio 197 Area 2
DanB720 Best place to buy 2009 Clio 200 Cup (FF) Front Shock Absorbers Suspension, Brakes & Steering 5
A Clio 197 Springs, Shock Absorbers and Continental ContiSport Tyres eBay Finds 0
Reecey Are 197 Front Shock Absorbers Different??? Suspension, Brakes & Steering 2
Similar threads
Looking to replace OE shocks/struts with aftermarket, lost as where to begin
Front shock absorbers part number?
Best place to buy 2009 Clio 200 Cup (FF) Front Shock Absorbers
Clio 197 Springs, Shock Absorbers and Continental ContiSport Tyres
Are 197 Front Shock Absorbers Different???
Top Bottom