FTO aftermarket suspension question

[dblack]

I've recenetly had a child and dont really want to get rid of my FTO. The car itself isn't the problem, but the suspension is. It's aftermarket (tein I think) and it's like driving on scaffolding poles. Fine for me, but the wife is really concerned for the well being of the child.

Is there any way I can get it changed over to something less harsh, or wound a bit higher to make it a bit softer. Not a lot of cash and im aware that as the suspension hasnt been touched in my ownership it may be stuck solid and no longer adjustable.

Any suggestion has to be better than the garage I took it to gave me, which was that raising the car would make it stiffer, not softer. Sounds daft to me.

P.S. low on cash so could do with cheap solutions so I dont have to part with my car.

[d_dan]

you may be able to change the dampers... rising the car is also another option. i'm sure you would get cash your way & standard suspension for you tiens

[dblack]

I dont mind raising it but could do with a reliable specialist near sheffield huddersfield area if anyone has any suggestions. Not able to do it myself. Could they be freed off do you think?
Priced up new standard suspension and it's out of the question as it ran as much as new coilovers all together.

[AaronM]

Also take in to count what size wheels you have, if you have say 18" then you have small tyres = harder ride. So going back to 15/16" will soften the ride.

[dblack]

I've got 17's with spacers to fill the arches, Bronze Rays that really suit the purple car. Not a huge amount of sidewall but certainly not rubber bands. The rears are stretched, the fronts arent as it was giving handling issues. the rears are due for renewal soon but with the wheels as they are I dont think unstretched will fit. Im sure they are something like 9 inch wide on the rear.
Have a friend with standard wheels might be worth a try. See if it helps enough. Didnt think of that to be fair. Could put the other wheels in the shed for later.

[and_some]

You might find Apex springs a bit softer than the Tein's.

[dblack]

Does anyone have any standard wheels with rubber for sale. Normal five spoke 15's or 16's as a set. Just in case I cant try my friends on. He's in Burnley and Im in scisset near Huddersfield.

[gary_gr]

Don't worry about it mate!! When my daughter was first born I had a mk2 golf gti lowered 100mm on coilovers ! The bumpy ride used to send her to sleep!!

[spaceboy]

whereabouts you based. I've got a second hand set of Koni shocks with Apex springs fitted and its a really confortable ride + you'll be able to keep it lowered. TEIN suspension are pretty much the firmist out there. (even when adjusted to soft it's rock hard in my experience)

Any shock absorber change you do will soften it up.

[spaceboy]

whereabouts you based. I've got a second hand set of Koni shocks with Apex springs fitted and its a really confortable ride + you'll be able to keep it lowered. TEIN suspension are pretty much the firmist out there. (even when adjusted to soft it's rock hard in my experience)

Any shock absorber change you do will soften it up.

[dblack]

Im inbetween Sheffield and huddersfield. How much would a setup like that cost and are there any garages around yorkshire that would be up to tackiling it that know fto's.

[RichardB]

I live in Rotherham, I will swap you for a standard setup, and I will swap them all over for you.