I have an 1996 855 Turbo. If I go with Bilsteins then would I also have to replace the springs as well? Will doing this make the handling go down the toilet?

Eric

The Bilsteins are OK (barely) with std Turbo (sedan) springs. The '95

Volvo factory sport suspension (sic) springs are way too stiff for anything

but police pursuit duty (complete with hundreds of pounds of equipment and

2 burly cops).

Handling with Bilsteins (assuming springs sufficiently soft for the Bs'

"2nd rate to come into play) will diminish if you try to drive the car like

a suspensionless go-kart (which is how my car was built/delivered); smooth

inputs will be greatly rewarded, however.

Bilsteins did not raise my car's ride height.

I've already said that Bilsteins are THE solution for these rough-riders.

- Dave; '95 854T, 101K mi

If I wanted to change out my springs (stock Turbo type) for softer springs, would I ask for the normal 850 springs, or is there some type of spring I should ask for?

Eric

Sorry, I'm unsure; I only went from way too stiff (Sport Susp [sic]

springs) to too-stiff (std '95 Turbo springs).

I'm not sure if the GLT/plain models' springs were softer that year or

not.

It does seem, however, that the light finally came on over Volvo's head

and later model years' springs were softened somewhat.

It would be nice if one could obtain the actual spring rate specifications,

but Volvo isn't always nice like that...

The Bilsteins are occasionally pure magic over some pavement breaks, but

overall the suspension can still be rude sometimes; it's never mistaken for

"plush", or even "supple".

- Dave; '95 854T, 101K mi

Thanks Dave.  I don't really want a plush ride e.g. the old American land yacht ride, but I would like to smooth out the somewhat washboarded freeway that I drive every morning.

Thanks again for the input,

Eric

Eric,

Based upon your message, I'm sure Bilsteins are what you want; how well

they satisfy you will depend upon the spring rates.

nbci ate xoom, and my web site there disappeared; I have now redirected

those resources to another site (which had fallen by the wayside), where

you can again find my Sport Suspension (sic) page and Std Turbo Springs +

Bilstein experiences and thoughts in even more detail!

Good luck with your project (spring choice).

- Dave; '95 854T, 101K mi

What about KYB's? Does anyone here have any firsthand experience with them? They are pretty well regarded among Infiniti owners.