Which Bilstein package?
 

I posted this in the V50 section, thought I can post here too for extra feedback. I have a 2006 V50 T5 and need some advice.

I need to replace all the bushes and drop links, and will also change the shocks to lower it slightly. Just wondering which Bilstein package to go for. Choices are B12 or B14. I like the idea of the B14 with adjustability, buy realistically I’m only going to lower it around 25mm. I don’t want a slammed look, as I want the car subtle still. Are there any performance benefits of the 14 over the 12? Car is 2006 with 107k on the clock so the originals are pretty done.

Answered you in the C30 /S40 / V50 section lol bu I will put it here as well, im running bilstein b14's and can recommend. You wont get that "Slammed" look with either as both are tested for performance by bilstein who do not slam cars.

You might find the adjustability of he B14's useful after you have put them on. I drop mine to the lowest in the summer and then raise it in the winter. Drop it as much as I can for track as well, the B14's really change the characteristics of the car and the handling is significantly improved, I would also add an rear hardline anti roll bar in there. car will corner flat and much more enjoyable, real easy to get lift of over steer.

Thanks Dom. the only reason i ask is i found a place where the B12's are about £10o less that the B14s, and could use that cash to buy the rear anti sway bar. I hadnt originally budgeted for the anti sway bar, where can i find the hardline online? i have found the IPD and Elevate bars in UK sites, but couldnt find the hardline?

no problem, hmmm I just checked the link I used to get my hardline bar and it seems to of disappeared. I know some other V50 owners have used whiteline rear antiroll bars as well.

to be honest when I put my rear antiroll bar on, i never really noticed a difference and I think most reviews of people reporting a big difference with these are exadurated as I had mine on the hardest setting and still not that much of a change.

Your money would be better spent on the best coilovers you can get and these are like night and day. Then you can get used to that mod and see how the car is like before getting an uprated rear antiroll bar.

Cheers Dom. I will leave the ARB for now, and just update the bushings and drop links. Just received some 18" medusa's which im re-furbing and will install when all is complete late spring ready for summer.

yeh defenitly, im about to do mine as well. will by polybushing mine.

yeh they are good wheels, should get some nice rubbers on there. I went for the 235/40/18 and they really helped front end grip compared to the standard width.

I was looking at powerflex however then found a good price for a set of Polybush online which are much cheaper. I have contacted Powerflex to see if they could do a discount on purchasing a full set but they havent got back to me. they only initially sent me back to the website which isnt very useful.

The wheels curerntly have 225's on there, with plenty of tread left so will leave them on for this summer, then maybe next year upgrade to a wider set, i'll see how it goes. Just need to find out how to change the wheel circumference within VIDA if im changing as 235's do change the circumference by 25mm which I admit is not much (less that 1%), but over time may start causing issues.

circumference within VIDA , You can not change this with your VIDA,
Volvo may do this with a software download,
Dave

just done mine with b12 kit, all bushes and the Hardrace anti roll bar. looks and feels good. i have hardrace wishbones on order.

Hi Mobile, I was looking at the hardline wishbones (i presume you are on about the front control arms?) but wasnt sure if they would add any benefit over the standard with decent bushes in? other than looking pretty in blue of course. they might well be stiffer, but coming from motorbike and mountainbiking, being super stiff isnt always a beneift. Sometimes you need some compliance.