Suspension changes from 156 series 1 to series 2

[Anth73]

Hi All,

Was chatting with Damon at Lance Dixon during the week as I had managed to source a pre-loved set of front Koni Yellows for my 156. He commented that he beleved the series 1 cars handled better than the series 2 cars. The series 2 cars are the ones with the Guigario (sp?) front end.

I know that on the 147's they went to a "comfort" spring setting at the last update, does anyone know if the 156's had their spring rates or damper setting altered? My feeling is that the spring rates were always on the firmish side but the dampers were shite!

Cheers.

[Victor Lee]

We had the "crossover" model 156.  It was 2002 JTS model.  It had the newer interior, new 2.0 JTS engine but exterior unchanged.  (So is probably a series 1 car?)

We lowered the car and the ride became harsh (especially from the front passenger seat).  Also the turning circle got worse.  Didn't change the shockers though.  The harsh ride may have also been affected from the low profile tyres on 17" Simmons!

Ask Damon... he knows the car!

[Anth73]

Did you fit the Alfa sportspack springs or were they aftermarket jobs? After having my v6 now for almost a year, quality shockers are a must on the front-end!

[Victor Lee]

We bought the car from the then Alfa dealer John Blair.  They installed them onto the car before we took delivery.  Assumption is that they were an Alfa part!

[Anth73]

False assumption I'd say! Having seen photos of your 156 no way were they Alfa sportspack springs. I had my springs fitted yesterday (and Koni Yellow's on the front). Before and after measurements show a drop of only 10mm, though they will probably settle a little lower and my original springs had covered 100,000km.

On the Koni's has anyone fiddled with their adjustment setting on a V6 156? I've got them set at half turn firmer and they seem OK. You can now feel the shockers doing their job and the ride is far more controlled than before. Speed humps no longer result in the undertray scraping the ground.