How have you lowered your c30?

[Dervy]

Hey guys!

Still looking into the best way to lower my c30.
Was looking at 30mm springs h&r or eibach.
Or cheap pro sport coilovers.

Ideally i prefer the idea of the decent springs but i don't know if it'll be as low as i like at the rear.
I don't want it 'slammed'. Just a lot less arch gap.

So if i did go down the cheap coilover route, they wouldn't be set to their lowest setting.

Ideally, can some members please post pictures of their c30 that has been lowered on 30mm springs only and with 17" wheels to give me an idea. I'll be using 17" canopus wheels.

Or any long term review of the cheap coilover kits! I'm hearing mixed reviews!

[Sk8ir]

Mines on 17s, lowered 30mm on Eibachs. Just done a few weeks ago, so don't have many pics yet.

I wasn't particularly looking to lower it, but 2 of the springs needed replacing anyway for the MOT and the Eibach can be had for good prices - it was much cheaper than OEM would've been. I've had Eibachs before on other cars, and so knew pretty much what to expect from them.

I'm really pleased with the results - the huge arch gaps before, especially at the rear, seemed so out of place with the R-Design bodykit. The visual difference is great, but there's no worry with speed bumps, etc - it's certainly not "slammed", just sensibly lowered. I was surprised how much difference there was though - I thought the R-Design was lower to start with...

I've still got the OEM shocks on there at the moment - but when funds permit (probably next year!) I'll go for the Bilstein B4s.

Ride is fine - can definitely appreciate the slightly lower centre of gravity, and it's still perfectly comfy (although a bit less travel in the shocks of course, which is noticeable but seems fine to me for a daily driver).

Pics:

Before:


After:

[Dervy]

That's exactly what i was looking for thank you!

Mine is an r-design too. As far as I'm aware (correct me if I'm wrong) r-design springs were 10mm shorter than standard but the rear arch gap is too out of place!

Thanks for the reply and pics! Think I'll be going the same route as you. 👍👍👍

[domhart10]

depends what you are after as well, yes the Eibachs are nice still quite some body roll but obviously reduces that wheel arch gap a bit. I removed the Eibachs after a bit for some bilestein coilovers to get a bit lower, handling was incredibly improved ... ride a bit firmer but this is what I was after

[niggly]

Can I chip in on coilovers? My C30 suspension is standard except I fitted Bilstein B4s last year as I reckoned the 100k mile originals would be knackered. It is my comfy daily.

But I have a BMW MINI R53 S to mod and waste money on. I've been in a lot of cars with a lot of different makes of coilovers, road and tracking. Doesn't make me any kind of expert but I have done some sampling as it were.

If you know all this, do not read on!!

Basically cheap coilovers are an abomination. Dreadful, appalling, avoid, don't waste money on them. Set of H&R or Eibach springs much better.

In the MINI world 'decent' fast road/tracking coilovers new are sort of £800 upwards, depending on brand and adjustability. So the £1,000++ would probably have ride height, rebound, bump/compression and maybe come with their own built-in camber adjustable top mounts which will be 'pin-ball' - no rubbery dubbery. All coilovers offer ride height adjustment. Most people, unless serious trackers, just go with rebound adjustable. Strikes me that unless you are Jenson Button, how does the common man (i.e. me) know how to dial in/adjust all those options? Smack them on, adjust your height/stance to taste and off you go.

Having owned various marques it seems A) each marque is pretty tribal brand-wise B) different brands really do seem to suit some marques better than others.

So the best coilovers for the price I have ever come across are APs. Just height adjustable. Very comfortable on our broken roads, at least on a MINI. Designed to be so by those clever Germans at KW. They are made by KW Automotive, who also make ST coilovers. APs are KWs 'budget' offering - they are well engineered and good quality. I have just bought a used set for my MINI for £280. New the cheapest out there is £450.

For the C30 the AP Part Number is GF67-015. Europerformance have them for £558.62. May be cheaper elsewhere.
http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pag...7;car=volvoc30
That picture is generic, not what they would actually look like.

There may well be other brands that suit/are popular with the Volvo fraternity at that price point or less. Don't know. My 2p.

[marc]

I've had the H&R springs on my C30 for a few years now and can't fault them. Other than the obvious lowering the ride is slightly firmer but no too harsh, ideal for my needs anyway and the looks are much improved.

If you do go for H&R, be advised that they come in 2 ratings, there is a firmer rated set for the D5/T5 as the front end is heavier than the little engines.

[mikeyscott]

Just bought a C40 D4 as a daily and been looking at B12 kit option, we’ll see as it has been bought as a pure 80 mile commuting car.

Looks nice lowered, but i’m on 18s

[marc]

Originally Posted by mikeyscott

Just bought a C40 D4 as a daily and been looking at B12 kit option, we’ll see as it has been bought as a pure 80 mile commuting car.

Looks nice lowered, but i’m on 18s

It'll be fine, I'm on 18's as are many, many others.

[mikeyscott]

Originally Posted by marc

It'll be fine, I'm on 18's as are many, many others.

Will see what suspension is like in 10k time.

Picked it up today. However fitted a LSD to my other car or upgrading to a Cayman S.

[ricp]

Thread revival - just about to do the Eibachs treatment on my C30 as the OP did.

Apart from the springs, did anyone find they needed other consumable parts? Mine has 70k on it and has been well looked after so not expecting any horrors but want to get all the bits I may need before taking apart as I have free use of a workshop and ramp but don’t want to leave a stranded car there!

Also is camber an issue on the rear when lowered or is there sufficient adjustment for alignment?

Thanks in advance. R