Broken Spring Club and coupe spring compatability

[Elvo]

Hoping this should be a pretty straightforwared one for a Newb.

Im looking at a spring only lowering kit and the number of coupe ones is far greater than for the saloon. Im interested in the FKPE015 model, which is for the coupe. On this site they are about 70 quid cheaper than most other sites - http://www.nicedeals.co.uk/index.php?cP ... _1568_2147
FK do list a kit for the saloon, but not thte V6 varient. I'm thinking there is a difference because of the weight of the engine. Problem is im having someone else fit them, as its in the garage due to both fronts snapping while parked on drive (yes, another member of that club) and so i dont want any messing around, having to return parts cos i ordered them wrong etc and taking up more of someone elses time than i have to.

So, my question is will i be ok getting these ordered as they are listed for coupe v6, not saloon? i know apex do a kit, but i prefer the 35/40 drop as to 30/30 apex do. My searching of Coupe suspension took me to a thread titled 406 coilovers. And re comment "Yes they will "fit" - the suspension is more-or-less the same, the real question is if the car will sit & handle ok." -
i just need to know if that is a definate, and i didnt want to hijack on first post.

Admins feel free to move / add to that particular thread as seen fit.

And , finally , just wanted to say Hi from sunny leeds. On my second 406 v6. First was written off after 3 crashes in one month. 2 not my fault, and resulting in my brand new custom exhaust becoming consetinered, the second resulting in an insurance pay out. As i had not long since paid for the exhaust i bought another v6 and put the exhaust on that. Recently the car has become a collection of unfinished jobs and now i have vowed to get them sorted out. I have used this forum for about a year and always found it really helpful and there's lots im planing to do from ideas i picked up from the forum so thanks.

EL

[lozz]

Hello Elvo,

welcome on in mate,

[Elvo]

HI lozz,

suppose you cant help with the question? I'm pretty desperate for an answer as i need to put an order in. Due to both springs snapping the car is pretty much unmovable at the moment. Strange and lucky how this seems to happen more when the car is stationary rather than while hurtling down the motorway. Im thinking they must be the same and that the differences are rating because of the heavier engine in the V6, which the coupe would probably have more often than a saloon.
I have a couple of things i need the garage to look in to too but the springs need sorting before they can do the other bits.

[lozz]

No sorry mate,
carnt help with the spring question,

ijust use standard springs, and iwouidnt like to guess on springs.

406 is a big heavy motor, if iwas you iwouid just stay with Standard ones, sorry just being honnest,


Regards lozz

[steve_earwig]

Just quickly (because my car is going up on the ramps too in 25 minutes....) I see the 406 saloon springs on your link but it doesn't say which engine. The 2.1 and V6 share the same springs, if it helps. Other than that I'm with Lozz, I just don't know, as in the other thread, they use the V6 coupe springs in the saloon on a lighter engine and you might end up with the car pointing at the ground. I know it's a big problem, I don't know what else to suggest that won't end up costing you more money in the long run and it's probably too late to ask anywhere else. Standard springs, cheapest available, sell them on ebay once you've worked it out with the ride height you want.

Sorry about that.

Gah! Now 20 minutes....

[Elvo]

Thanks steve, i think that the easiest thing would be to give the company a call! (not open on saturdays or i would have done that) They list them for the saloon, and also for the coupe (strangly the saloon is more expensive). My thoughts were that the saloon would be up to 2l (or 2.1) and the coupe ones would all be up to v6, since there are more coupe v6s around. So was thinking about getting the coupe ones provided my theory is right and thats why i wanted to know if the springs are, baring loading, the same on the coupe and saloon.
WIll let you know how i get on,
Good luck with whatever you're doing today.
EL

[lozz]

Tbh elvo,

not nit picking here, but the springs in that link at that price, idont think they will of been through the full process of what most springs go through,
im not clued up on this, but my Brother n law works for a spring company,

Hes told me about the process good springs go through,

Shot peened, (Hardend)
Coated in a galv substance, & Baked
list goes on,

to get tough springs you wouid have to spend alittle more ithink, Companys like Apex list springs that Are Tuv approved, and have them specific for each vehicle,

as isaid Earlier, The 406 is a big heavy motor, you couid try the ones in the above link but id rather take a gamble at the Bookies if it was Me.

alot of these, Aftermarket parts on the Market are Made in china, be careful what you buy,

[Elvo]

no prob, i know its cheap, but its half the price i have seen them on most sites -e.g. http://www.europerformance.co.uk/pages/ ... category=1

my only concern is that neither the ones specified for coupe or saloon state which engine they take up to . . I called the sales people on the above link, and got the usual, fit the saloon - which didnt really answer my question.

Im going to do some more digging and will update.

[lozz]

Have you tried Amazon ?


Edit: Theres some saloon ones on there,

Company Name FK they come with the quality certificate, so they might be worth alook

[Elvo]

I did check Amazon, but not in stock
As for FK AUtomotive, they do appear sound, with all the quality checks and german made. Just my concern is that they dont list what engine derivetives they are rated against, simply one part for saloon, and one part for coupe.
Other kits seem to list the engine spec as well as body type.
Although, if Steve is correct, then the spring is the same on the 2.1 - so long as its tested against the largest 4 cylinder it "should" be ok. ?
I just like the idea of 35/40 split, to level the car out a bit. Other kits dont do this.
The site i posted first off have said to get the saloon ones for the saloon (er, makes sense!) and they price them at half the price of everywhere else.
Maybe the coupe springs are shorter OEM, so any lowering kit would have to be shorter too.

I have mailed FK AUtomotive , well from the contact details i can find online , and await reply.

[andyfoz]

here you go mate:

http://www.hamann-tuning.de/joomla_1108 ... Itemid=105

[Elvo]

well, the springs arrived a bit ago and have all been fitted. I should be picking the car up soon so will give an idea of what they are like if anyone is interested. The fact it has just cost me about 600 quid for the car picking up and fixing might put some of you off though. Needed 2 bearings and strut tops, anti roll bar links and brake hoses. Dont think the garage were too pleased since its not been starting for them either, so had to push it everywhere. I smiled when it started first time everytime for me though, although im struggling to muster a smile now. . . !

[Elvo]

ok, took the car out for a spin today.
The lowering springs make the car look a bit more planted, although the front is a bit lower than the back. This should sort when i have more than a fivers petrol in. I put some stuff in the boot for a tip trip and it evened it out a lot. This is not a bad thing, and serves to show that the ride will be fine with passengers in the rear - since the bags i had in the boot were dam heavy.
The car IMO looks better for having them fitted- much angrier from the front.
Importantly i can so far only report good things about the characteristics of the car since fitting. Much more assured through corners. Hardly any body roll at all and that s when trying to make it happen. Feels more like something designed for tarmac rather than the barge it felt like before. Not too unforgiving either, certainly not uncomfortable. It doesnt want to understeer so much and inspirese more confidence.
However, on familiar routes i have already been caught out by a couple of speedbumps. Lesson now learnt.
So far, for the cost of the parts , definately recomend and 50pc cheaper than anywhere else so far as i can tell on the site in post 1.