AP Coilovers yes or no?

jarrus

Pro Tuner
Points
337
Location
West Midlands, UK
Car
Suzuki Swift Sport
Thought about getting some for the 205,

Are they any good? Wasn't actually looking to get coilovers but thats all they do, they are well priced and carry a 2 year warranty.
They are supposed to have some KW parts in them also.
http://www.apcoilovers.com/ap_coilover_details.php?id=308

If they are actually a pile of crap (from your expiriance) then what else can you lot recommend?

40mm drop max springs and dampers or a different set of coilovers, will used on a road car driven everyday and will probably never see a track day but will probably see plenty of b roads.

Cheers

J
 
Never have had anny kind of coilovers. Just for first information untill someone with egsact experience see your question.
Supossedly AP coils are egsact like KW var. 1, but made out of another materials. On various forums there is a lot of people satisfied with that product. Another type of coilovers which are made with KW specs are DTS. DTS coils are even less money and almost had buy one set - but import dutys in my country stoped me.
Both are made in Germany.

(i'm settled now with Koni yellow and -40mm Platimex springs. Very satisfied. Firm but not harsh ride. Reminds me on friends BMW coupe with M package suspension. Guess that is something good to compare. :) )
 
Last edited:
I got Koni yellows on my 306 and have been very pleased with them. I actually bought the kit with the Koni springs as well, just the front springs as the back uses torsion bars, Ive set all the dampers on the middle setting which is fine but a little bouncy sometimes, probably cause I've set them too high but it's no big deal as the ride is still good, definately firmed up but not uncomfortable, I would just buy the same for my 205 but didn't want to spend another £450, plus I'd like something that doesn't require me to take the take the dampers off the car to adjust them, a major let down of the Konis....
 
Possibly word "bouncy" have diff meaning in my head, but if not then bounciness is there 'cause dampers does not dump the springs on rebound just enough. In my case another quorter turn towards "hard" eliminated bouncines. Maybe you will benefit aswell.
Koni recomend to increase stifness of schocks untill you feel it right and than turn back just a little.
My fronts are now 1 + 1/4 turn towards hard and rear is 1 turn towards hard. I feel rear end need just a little more toward hard to become perfect.
Fronts are on theire third setup. First was on 1/2 turn and it bounces alot. than I increased it for 1 turn and it was noticable more control, but with some oversteer. After going back for 1/4 turn it is perfect for my local roads and my driving. Maybe after setting rear end I would need to make some more adjustment in front - will see.
 
Last edited:
They will probably be better than standard! Just find out exactly what is and isn't covered by the warranty as it's easy for them to wriggle out of it and without the warranty they are worthless imo...
 
@Zwaf Hmmm... I'm not sure to be honest, I don't know a lot about suspension, Turbo Diesel engine tuning and turbo chargers are more my thing.

My logic in it would be that the dampers are rebounding too quickly causing bounce, but then again, the rear doesn't seem to have the same problem so maybe I'm wrong....
Any one care to clear this up for me? Or even suggest another suspension kit? The dampers don't even have to be adjustable, just so the ride isn't hard and it improves handling and keeps the body roll in check...
 
They will probably be better than standard! Just find out exactly what is and isn't covered by the warranty as it's easy for them to wriggle out of it and without the warranty they are worthless imo...
Well yeah, in terms of performance, but I'm also thinking of longevity, The reason I ask is that some of these low priced suspension kits don't last long, ok you get what you pay for but you'd still expect them to last at least, say 25,000 miles. I for example I've heard loads of people have had problems with FK kits blowing the seals in the shocks and corrotion.

Weitech do a sports fixed kit for about £350 which looks good and it's also owned by KW, so is temping.
Any others worth a look? £400 is my very maximum limit.
 
I only bought them because the price was amazing and as a stop-gap until I decide what suspension to get but my KW V1's are excellent. Car changes direction much more quickly, rides a lot nicer and is much flatter just need the geometry re-doing now as it's all over the place lol. Very very nicely made with stainless bodies too. Win win really.

My mate with the red Evo has destroyed a set of BC Racing coilovers and now one of the top mounts on a HSD orr HSR or whatever they are kit. He's just changed one of the collars be because it keeps working itself loose and making a racket. By his admission he wishes he had kept the standard setup, or would upgrade to some Bilsteins if he had the extra money. You do get what you pay for.
 
Last edited:
@Zwaf Hmmm... I'm not sure to be honest, I don't know a lot about suspension, Turbo Diesel engine tuning and turbo chargers are more my thing.

My logic in it would be that the dampers are rebounding too quickly causing bounce, but then again, the rear doesn't seem to have the same problem so maybe I'm wrong....

You're logic is good! If you harden dumpers rebound you decrease the speed of rebound.
About suspension - just a few people are really specialist for suspension as far as you ask me! I am not one of them, but when you read with understanding who posted then you can separate tons of semigood and crap opinions obout almost everything. Theory about rebound speed is not mine - I found it on some racing forum long time ago from guy who is racer not ricer.
About you're knowledge for turbo diesel engine and chargers - I'm full with envy because I would like to know more but I guess it is too late for me to go to coledge.
 
O yeah KW's are very good, and very good quality also, just expensive, I actually wanted some V2's for the 306 but they were £1000 and didn't fancy spending that much.
Weitech are owned by KW.
 
You're logic is good! If you harden dumpers rebound you decrease the speed of rebound.
About suspension - just a few people are really specialist for suspension as far as you ask me! I am not one of them, but when you read with understanding who posted then you can separate tons of semigood and crap opinions obout almost everything. Theory about rebound speed is not mine - I found it on some racing forum long time ago from guy who is racer not ricer.
About you're knowledge for turbo diesel engine and chargers - I'm full with envy because I would like to know more but I guess it is too late for me to go to coledge.

I have been to college many times mate, but never to learn about Automotive Technology, it's purely studing in my own time and my own understanding, it just comes natrually to be, (yeah i know blowing my own trumpet but it can't explain it any better) I just understand it all,

So a harder rebound will slow the rate the dampers return to there "normal" position?
I do remember reading somewhere that a kind of ideal is that you would incially set your rebound to half of your bump rate as a good starting point and then adjust accordingly.
 
My mate with the red Evo has destroyed a set of BC Racing coilovers and now one of the top mounts on a HSD orr HSR or whatever they are kit. He's just changed one of the collars be because it keeps working itself loose and making a racket. By his admission he wishes he had kept the standard setup, or would upgrade to some Bilsteins if he had the extra money. You do get what you pay for.

Ah yes, bilsteins I'd love, they even have started selling there supesion kits with eibach prokit springs.... the best possible road combination I reckon...

maybe then I've answered my own question there....but also again price will be high for that kind of stuff..... GGGRRRRR!!!
 
Well Jarrus, don't know about that, but when you got possibility to adjust dumpers it does not cost you much to try with incresing hardnes in steps of 1/2 turn untill you feel they gain control. Then (according to Koni recomendation) pull back just a little.
Trial and error aproach but if you don't know egsact spring rates and don't know egsact bound and rebound speeds of your schocks even the best formula can not help you to make bullseye within first attempt.
In my humble opinion that is why many peops are not satisfied when they change just one part or combine different manufactures. With kit you got springs and schocks made for each other in a way how manufacture think it should be. With coilovers it is even more pronounced.
Imagine you got some KW v.3 or Bilstein PSS9 (think that is right name for product I have in mind) - you got possibility to set your suspension just perfect for your driving style and roads in your living erior, but if you mess things up you will end with something really bad for driving regardless of the fact you got some of the best suspension products money can buy.
Determine spring rate first, than you determine bound - increase it in small steps untill you feel the ride become harsh. Then back of just a little.
Then determine rebound - increase it in small steps untill you feel bouncing dissapear and weight transfer is under control - then step back just a little.

That is general recomendation from Koni, not me. :)
 
Last edited:
Thought about getting some for the 205,

Are they any good? Wasn't actually looking to get coilovers but thats all they do, they are well priced and carry a 2 year warranty.
They are supposed to have some KW parts in them also.
http://www.apcoilovers.com/ap_coilover_details.php?id=308

If they are actually a pile of crap (from your expiriance) then what else can you lot recommend?

40mm drop max springs and dampers or a different set of coilovers, will used on a road car driven everyday and will probably never see a track day but will probably see plenty of b roads.

Cheers

J

I've heard only good things about APs from the BMW world. The only thing that would sway me against them is that they don't offer full adjustability.
 
Cheers mate, they are a good price so were defiantly worth a look at least, problem with the 205 or pretty much any small Peugeot is that the rear uses torsion bars which for want of a better word is a railway sleeper with some hubs on it....
People have converted to turreted rear setup but it is costly and you have to skilled to set it up.
Front though is the usual McPherson strut affair so having adjustable top mounts and adjustable wishbones is possible and they are readily avaliable. It handles ok now but its gotten away from me a couple of times and slides nice, it just don't want to spoil it's character
 
I think for the price you can't go wrong. You'll only see an improvement as it's got to be better than the tired suspension already on it. I would probably get new bushes as well. Poly or OEM is up to you though.
 
im in the same boat...
ive been looking at numerous makes and models of coilovers and im having trouble deciding what to go for.
Im edging towards KW as it seems to be known as a good make and ive found a kit for all 4 corners for £577.51 delivered
Im in need of a replacement asap as my suspension currently consists of just 4 springs i think so....
 
im in the same boat...
ive been looking at numerous makes and models of coilovers and im having trouble deciding what to go for.
Im edging towards KW as it seems to be known as a good make and ive found a kit for all 4 corners for £577.51 delivered
Im in need of a replacement asap as my suspension currently consists of just 4 springs i think so....

Are we talking v1/v2 or v3s though?
 
KW are among the best coilovers money can buy but I personally don't have that kind of money to spend

KW are also Bilsteins re-branded iirc, that or parts of the KWs are supplied by Bilstein. I run HSD coilovers but I don't think they're available for you guys.

Spax are quite well known. Gaz are a good make but again unsure of availability for you guys (having a BMW brings so much choice for these things).
 
Spax RSX's are very good, GAZ coilovers are avaliable for the 306 and 205, as as AVO

KW's would be my pic though, I can get V1's/2's and 3's for the 306, i'd most likely buy 2's but I ain't got £1000 to spare at the moment and I quite happy with my Koni's, downside of them is everytime they require adjustment they need to be taken off the car and that's annoying...

I don't think the AP's are rebound adjustable, just height.
 
Are we talking v1/v2 or v3s though?

im looking at Variant 1s...

is it worth making the stretch and go for V2s? ~ £300 difference


Does anyone know what warranty they offer and how well they cope with pot holes?

I have to buy new tyres for the winter so thats going to set me back about £200
 
im looking at Variant 1s...

is it worth making the stretch and go for V2s? ~ £300 difference


Does anyone know what warranty they offer and how well they cope with pot holes?

I have to buy new tyres for the winter so thats going to set me back about £200

it depends on what you want mate,

How low do you want to go?

A softer setup will be beneficial in winter.
 
:lol:

Fair enough! I can't remember if the Spax are rebound adjustable or not. I think Gaz are but more expensive than the £500.

Is second hand out of the question?

Just looked at some GAZ fast road and track coilovers and they are £492 direct from them! Sounds like I'm on to a winner now and they are height and stiffness adjustable.

I did go on the HSD website and looked at the application list, could find any French marks on there at all, but then again they didn't list any BMW's either, but clearly they do them as you have them. They look like quality bits of kit.

EDIT: Gaz say that they will valve and suggest a spring rate for any application included in the price of there kits,
My 205 TD would require heavier springs that what is ment for the GTI for the heavier engine. However on the 306 it is the other way round, the GTI6 engine is heavier.
 
im looking at Variant 1s...

is it worth making the stretch and go for V2s? ~ £300 difference

Does anyone know what warranty they offer and how well they cope with pot holes?

I have to buy new tyres for the winter so thats going to set me back about £200

I think the v2s have more adjustability. All dependant on budget I suppose.

Just looked at some GAZ fast road and track coilovers and they are £492 direct from them! Sounds like I'm on to a winner now and they are height and stiffness adjustable.

I did go on the HSD website and looked at the application list, could find any French marks on there at all, but then again they didn't list any BMW's either, but clearly they do them as you have them. They look like quality bits of kit.

EDIT: Gaz say that they will valve and suggest a spring rate for any application included in the price of there kits,
My 205 TD would require heavier springs that what is ment for the GTI for the heavier engine. However on the 306 it is the other way round, the GTI6 engine is heavier.

It might be worth a look on Driftworks as they are the only distributor for HSDs.

I do know that Gaz provide a very good customer service and can customise your set up if needs be. I've only ever heard good things about them which is reassuring.
 

Similar threads


Please watch this on my YouTube channel & Subscribe.


Back
Top