|
C30 / S40 & V50 '04-'12 / C70 '06-'13 General Forum for the P1-platform C30 / S40 / V50 / C70 models |
Information |
|
Our cars 'handling' in generalViews : 1247 Replies : 27Users Viewing This Thread : |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
Aug 7th, 2018, 15:49 | #1 |
Premier Member
Last Online: Sep 14th, 2021 17:03
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Market Harborough
|
Our cars 'handling' in general
What do most people think of the way S40/V50/C30's handle generally?
Personally I think although my S40 handles and grips generally well it doesn't feel like it wants to? the steering feel was always documented on these models as being below par and that's certainly still the case. On motorways the car gets unsettled in crosswinds too easily, on rough surfaces the ride is too firmly sprung etc. Been thinking about polybushing the car as I'm convinced the bushings are contributing to a lack of feedback and a general 'lazy' feel to the drive; for example - steering inputs at speed seem to create a delayed reaction from the rear of the car, which would make sense if the bushings are flexing too much.
__________________
2005 S40 T5 SE - Manual. Bilstein B4's. (For Sale) 2010 Citroen C4 1.6 HDi (bizarre Gearbox model). 2010 Renault Twingo (refreshingly simple) 2018 Infiniti Q30 1.6T Business Executive (what's this button do?) |
Aug 7th, 2018, 16:01 | #2 |
Member
|
I Powerflex polybushed the front end of my old S40 T5 and it increased the feel of drive significantly. The steering felt a little more precise and roll was controlled a little better too.
My only criticism is that they tend to squeak a little if the stereo's off and the windows are down. I never got round to polybushing the rear.
__________________
Present: 2009 Volvo V50 1.6D DRIVe SE Past: 2004 Volvo S40 T5 SE |
Aug 7th, 2018, 16:30 | #3 |
Premier Member
Last Online: Sep 14th, 2021 17:03
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Market Harborough
|
Did you literally just have the main lower wishbone bushes changed, nothing else?
I'm thinking the main culprits for too much play in the sussy must be the lower rear wishbone bushes on the front end and the rear control arm bushes.
__________________
2005 S40 T5 SE - Manual. Bilstein B4's. (For Sale) 2010 Citroen C4 1.6 HDi (bizarre Gearbox model). 2010 Renault Twingo (refreshingly simple) 2018 Infiniti Q30 1.6T Business Executive (what's this button do?) |
Aug 7th, 2018, 18:26 | #4 |
Member
|
I did all front bushes.
__________________
Present: 2009 Volvo V50 1.6D DRIVe SE Past: 2004 Volvo S40 T5 SE |
Aug 7th, 2018, 20:27 | #5 |
Premier Member
Last Online: Apr 24th, 2024 21:26
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: birmingham
|
i have been told by my friendly volvo dealer mine has the "comfort" suspension
i am taking that to be "its not as harsh as the non-comfort" options, predictable would be the 1 word id use to describe it comfy,, yes to a point, feed back, yes to a point, capable, yes, but not in a sporty way its not as "waft along" as the 940 i had,but this doesnt have ninvomats so,, its not as "sporty" as the S40(phase 2) with factory sports suspension (and it was LOW far lower than other s/v40s with std factory suspension,) the 940 was a lot less affected by crosswinds than the V50 is, but i wouldnt say the V50 is a "blown all over the motorway" , the body seems to roll a bit when the cross wind hits it but tracks true with very little if any "wind sheer effect" (or it wasnt windy enough to find out )
__________________
940s - 2l / 92 < gone&missed s401.8 xs auto <gone >V50 2.4SE Geartronic aka "the new money pit" "skyship007 has now been successfully added to your ignore list. "." Last edited by andy_d; Aug 7th, 2018 at 20:30. |
Aug 8th, 2018, 11:45 | #6 |
Dave
Last Online: Sep 7th, 2023 11:33
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: East Yorkshire
|
I've done a fair bit to improve the handling of my car and on stock suspension it really did throw out and get a bit boaty at times.
The first modification I made was an uprated rear anti-roll bar, this did improve the body roll in bends and make the car a little less unwieldy, I could certainly push it through the corners a bit more. Then I polybushed the wishbone rear bushings as mine were shot, pig of a job on the first set I did, but I then found a really efficient way to do it without drilling or marking the outer case - quite simple really, use a propane torch to heat the casing for about 5 mins, this breaks the rubber bond to the inner wall, then you need to crack it loose from the rubber with a screwdriver, should be moderately stiff then go, if it doesn't budge then more heat required. Oh, and you'll need a 10 tonne press to get the buggers in. Performance wise - much perkier response through the wheel and less dive on braking, plus they'll never go again! Coilovers - Mine are Bilstein B14s and the difference is night and day compared to standard suspension and lowering springs, control is much sharper, feeling of being on rails springs to mind. Can be quite bumpy on uneven surfaces but you eventually live with it, so can be tolerable for long journeys on the motorway. In terms of handling improvement I'd say that moving to coilovers had by far the biggest improvement but along with all of the modifications I've made the car can be somewhat twitchy but predictable, definitely feels more alive! But rest assured the confidence of the car being planted means (along with good tyres) that if you must, you can throw it around without the fear of massive oversteer, wobble, and a break in grip. In addition I found my braking performance improved as well. There's a few good options for coilovers but getting a good brand is highly advised - premier options are Bilstein, BC Racing, and KW.
__________________
V50 D5 'Thor' |
Aug 8th, 2018, 15:12 | #7 |
Premier Member
Last Online: Sep 14th, 2021 17:03
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Market Harborough
|
Great responses so far, very interesting thanks.
__________________
2005 S40 T5 SE - Manual. Bilstein B4's. (For Sale) 2010 Citroen C4 1.6 HDi (bizarre Gearbox model). 2010 Renault Twingo (refreshingly simple) 2018 Infiniti Q30 1.6T Business Executive (what's this button do?) |
The Following User Says Thank You to Welton For This Useful Post: |
Aug 8th, 2018, 23:26 | #8 |
Junior Member
Last Online: Feb 16th, 2019 10:38
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Swindon
|
I find I can push my V50 T5 harder than I should given its weight and size. The feedback isn’t great, but it seems to be quite capable. Ride is firm but not crashy, given it’s on 18” Medusa wheels too. It’s an SE Sport (whatever that means!)
My other car is a bmw M3, which has insane grip, feedback and corners like it’s on rails. The V50 stands up very well for itself in that company. |
Aug 9th, 2018, 09:44 | #9 |
WowIcanwriteAnythingHere!
Last Online: Mar 26th, 2024 16:05
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Dublin/Meath
|
I dont really like the way my car handles but its far from saying it handles badly. I find it really understeering on tight corners and roundabouts and wouldnt mind if it was a bit stiffer but its my personal preferences. I think the problem is partially due to being AWD and higher than it should, and partially due to oem setup (someone decided to order SE SPORT version with COMFORT suspension from factory). Have driven S40 T5 R and it had much nicer and stiffer suspension but was even more understeering due to FWD so I guess its a loose-loose situation.
All in all I think it mostly depends on factory setup option and driving style. If (JUST) polisbushing can make a difference, I might look at it in future, also uprated ARB apparently makes night-day difference, but its all "in the future if possible". for 98% of times its a highway cruiser so that it does perfectly
__________________
2005 V50 T5AWD M66, Stage1 Hilton tune E-focus torque mount, E46 bi-xenon retrofit v2 , (also available in PDF form), DTSC fully-off mod, Brembo discs+ATE ceramic pads |
Aug 9th, 2018, 10:07 | #10 | ||
Master Member
Last Online: Mar 14th, 2024 16:24
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: South
|
Quote:
Quote:
If it's R-design you mean, as far as I know, they didn't make any suspension changes from the earlier models, just gave the bumpers/lights/interior bit of a facelift (I could be wrong though!).
__________________
2006 Volvo S40 T5 SE Sport
|
||
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|