Shock Absorber Options

[BEEFTEC]

My car is a non cup 197, i've got some Eibach springs for it which I debated selling on but now i'm leaning towards fitting them.

My cars done 95k miles so i'm thinking it'd be a good idea to change shock absorbers and top mounts at the same time while its apart.

What are my options for new shock absorbers? Ive found I can get 4 genuine renault ones (£236) and new top mounts (£88 ) from Renaultpartsdirect.co.uk, but i've seen people mention KYB shock absorbers too?

Ive tried to find KYB shock absorbers and all i've found is this site:

http://www.buycarparts.co.uk/renault/clio-iii-br0-1-cr0-1/19355/10221/shock-absorber

They're only £32 for rears and £44 for fronts so a decent saving at £154 for a set of 4 - But is this suspiciously cheap? I'm wondering if they're even for the 197 model...

Any other options or places to buy KYB shocks?

 

[Chris]

Or you could get coilovers...

Bilstein b14? £850 all in!

 

[BEEFTEC]

Yeah i've considered coilovers but don't really think they're worth buying.

It'd be £800, plus top mounts, plus fitting, plus set up/geometry/tracking and even then i'd still have 95k mile old bushes all round and probably a bone shaking ride that i'd regret.

Just been looking at Bilstein B4 and B6 shock absorbers but they don't do them for the sport :glare:

 

[Chris]

Why would you need top mounts for them?

 

[BEEFTEC]

Just as good practice I would replace them anyway

 

[Chris]

Where you based as Amdtuning have a free fitting option on the blistein coilies.

 

[BEEFTEC]

I'm 200+ miles from them, plus unless they're offering free coilovers and free fitting I wouldn't be interested in them

Don't think they're worth £500 more than just replacing my shock absorbers, unless I was doing loads of trackdays

 

[Chris]

Haha

Just makes sence when you have to change everything all at once to spend a little extra to get a superior product. If your happy with the oem setup anyway (which is more than fine) id just stick with that. Just get oem shocks and put your eibachs on.

 

[BEEFTEC]

Yeah i'm happy enough with the ride as it is, just wouldn't mind it slightly lower and can handle it being a tad firmer; so hopefully springs will do that.

Before I order some new OEM shock absorbers though, are there any others I should consider?

 

[montana]

[MENTION=44782]BEEFTEC[/MENTION] - what setup did you go for in the end ?

 

[BEEFTEC]

I've still not got round to ordering any replacement bits yet. Ive got the eibach springs so they'll be going on and i'll probably go for replacement OEM dampers as there doesn't seem to be any other options apart from coilovers, which I don't want.

 

[montana]

there must be a non renault branded KYB alternative (OE spec), just need to know the link between the renault part number and kyb items - the site is a bit misleading (buypartsby) as it lists both gas and oil - if i find anything out will post it here.

OE ones can be had off the bay for around £120 posted.

its a shame there arent more non-genuine parts available for the 197 to give owners more choice than going to RUK for most things

 

[BEEFTEC]

I was going to order from here:

http://renaultpartsdirect.co.uk/products/Renault-Clio-197-Shock-Absorber-(Front)-.html
http://renaultpartsdirect.co.uk/products/Renault-Clio-197-Shock-Absorber-(Rear).html

These are genuine Renault according to the site, about £65 a corner

 

[montana]

Assuming they have postage on top the fronts are slightly cheaper here http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=161482370536&alt=web

Also before you order give Renault Wolverhampton a call as they tend to be very competitive !

 

[BEEFTEC]

Thanks Ill check ebay again before I order.

I tried Renault Wolverhampton through facebook and they wanted nearly £600! Can get it all for just over half that online!

 

[montana]

Thanks Ill check ebay again before I order.

I tried Renault Wolverhampton through facebook and they wanted nearly £600! Can get it all for just over half that online!

£600?!
What was that for ?

 

[BEEFTEC]

2 top mount kits and shock absorbers all round

 

[montana]

wow, thats expensive.

I have seen the following front and rears, however not too sure on the branding of these (GH AUTO PARTS ?) may be a case of buy cheap buy twice...

Front shocks - £65 pair
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181780266067?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&fromMakeTrack=true

Rear shocks - £51 pair
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-X-REAR-..._Gen:MK+III|Cars+Type:197&hash=item2a46a911e8

Top mount (incl bearing) - £29 each
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111516223399?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[Craig211]

Not sure about the 197 but on my 200 cup shocks were cheaper than full fat ones, would be a nice upgrade presuming you don't already have the cup pack

 

[BEEFTEC]

wow, thats expensive.

I have seen the following front and rears, however not too sure on the branding of these (GH AUTO PARTS ?) may be a case of buy cheap buy twice...

Front shocks - £65 pair
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181780266067?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&fromMakeTrack=true

Rear shocks - £51 pair
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-X-REAR-..._Gen:MK+III|Cars+Type:197&hash=item2a46a911e8

Top mount (incl bearing) - £29 each
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111516223399?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Thanks for the links. Like you say though, could be buy cheap buy twice. Think i'm gona stick with Genuine Renault

Not sure about the 197 but on my 200 cup shocks were cheaper than full fat ones, would be a nice upgrade presuming you don't already have the cup pack

Yeah its weird, on that renaultpartsdirect site the cup fronts are cheaper than non cup but the rears are more than double for the cup version?!

Even if they were the same i'd probably still stick with the full fat ones. I can handle its being a bit firmer which the springs will do but cup shocks and those springs might prove to be a bit harsh.