C30 General : Softening the suspension

[Kizzer]

Originally Posted by GusGecko

Aah jeez I won't take you for a ride in mine lowered and on 18's!!

+1
Same here

[Derek Oliver]

Thanks all for the various opinions. Picking up a set of 16s tomorrow ex ebay for the grand sum of £82 complete with usable tyres. Will report back when tried.

[Daim]

Originally Posted by niva441

The quality of German roads probably help to make it a bit less of an issue than in the UK.

I was disappointed when I ordered the C30 that the 16" wheel option was no longer available. However as the 17" fitment was only a change from 55 to 50 I thought I'd give a try. However they only lasted a week as, in addition to all the ride issues they created, they also significantly increased fuel consumption. On the 17" wheels the car struggled to achieve 40 mpg, in conditions when I would have got approx 45 mpg from my similar spec (except 16" wheel) V50. Changing to 16" winter tyres the following week improved fuel consumption to 43 mpg, despite the normal impact of the drop in temperature on economy.

It's now running 16" summer tyres and is the refined, efficient vehicle it should have been all along. Given my C30 experience and the road noise that my V50 suffers with it's original spec tyres I'm come to the conclusion that Volvo either haven't got much idea about speccing tyres, or they operate to very distorted parameters.

When was you in Germany the last time? The roads here are worse than in my home town in Britain And I was there last year on the 19"s Found it around Harwich a little harsh but along the potted A12 -> no worry at all

[niva441]

Originally Posted by Daim

When was you in Germany the last time? The roads here are worse than in my home town in Britain And I was there last year on the 19"s Found it around Harwich a little harsh but along the potted A12 -> no worry at all

2006, although I went to the posh bit, not the working bit!

[Daim]

Originally Posted by niva441

2006, although I went to the posh bit, not the working bit!

Big difference in that

My county is broke. The roads look worse than in some Eastern European place! If you drive say through Düsseldorf, then you are on the finest asphalt. If you drive through say Bremen you get the worst Belgian plaster...

[lmkcar]

I have 2.4 auto and the ride was abismal.

On 17 inch wheels I changed to 225 50 17 and it made big difference though they do touch liner on full lock.
Final improvement was using Koni Active struts all round ... fantastic difference .. firmish but compliant ... no crashing bangs! Comfort at last. Watch You Tube about struts.
Highly recommend them £500 well spent.

[lmkcar]

I have c30 2.4 auto and the ride was abysmal !!

On 17 inch wheels I changed to 225 50 17 and it made big difference though they do touch liner on full lock.
Final improvement was using Koni Active struts all round ... fantastic difference .. firmish but compliant ... no crashing bangs! Comfort at last. Watch You Tube about struts.
Highly recommend them £500 well spent.