For the last year, I have been living in Boston, and for all those of you familiar with the roads up here (and those not) it pains me to drive around (both literally and figuratively).

The roads just kill me and the car with all the hard jarring jolts and the like. So what I would like to do is replace both the shocks and springs to give me a bit of a softer ride.

From what I have been reading, the Bilstein touring seem to be a good choice for softening things up a little, but does anyone have any recommendations for a softer set of springs?

Now I know all you purists and racers might give me some flak about not being able to corner as hard or lose the original sport feel of the car, but I have to do something. I think both me and the car are soon going to be shaken to death.

Can someone else offer up and recommendations for a set of springs, or something else to soften things up a bit? Many thanks. -Mike

One possibility to soften up your ride is to go to 15" tires w/ a taller sidewall. Just a thought.

I have a 1995 850 turbo with 181,000 miles and just did the entire front suspension. I went with the Bilstein touring class and living in Chicago, I can understand your pains regarding Boston roads -- we are in our construction season now! If I had to do it all over again, I would have stuck with the original Boge struts. The Bilsteins are very nice and handle well, but the Boge's are a smoother ride. While you are there, change the A-arms that have the integral ball joint, upper strut mounts and connecting links. All the rattles will go away, but the traditional Vlovo "harsh" ride of the 850 will still be there. I kept the original springs.

Have a sister in your area and she swears by Dalzalls Volvo for service.

good luck

The 70 series has a softer ride then the 850s (my wife has an 95 850 GLT
and I have a 98 S70). I'm wondering if shocks and springs from an S70 could
be used? I don't know the answer to that. If you could drive around in a
98/99 S70 loaner that might tell you if the idea is worth pursuing.

What is your current suspension setup? BTW, I live in North Attleboro, and all the roads in Mass seem to be horrible! If your current suspension setup is stock the Bilstein Tourings are stiffer ride than stock setup, not as stiff as Bilstein Heavy Duty. So, If your setup now is stock and if you're looking for a softer ride again, and like you said sporting intentions are secondary than quality OEM replacement might be best.
--
If you already have Bilstein HDs or Konis I'm sure you could shop around for a softer setup, like the Bilstein Tourings.
--
Matt in MA, '93 854 GLT, 118k, matto815@aol.com

I believe the entire suspension set-up to be stock. So I suppose yes, I am looking for something a bit softer than the stock set-up. For reference, I drove around last weekend in a friends LS430, and wow did it handle all the bumps and holes with aplomb. If I could get something that "luxurious" I would be a happy happy man.

Like Ray N. said above, the 850s ride even stock is more on the harsh side, not at all like your friends Lexus. My friend's Lexus IS300 is towards the sporty end of the Lexus/Toyota line but still soaks up these MA roads.
-
I think if u want to make a compromise between handling while having a better ride to go OEM, with Boge struts and shocks. You can find them almost anywhere, IPD comes to mind....as well as places like TireRack.com. You could go to a softer setup but might get even more body roll in corners and less sporty handling.
--
Matt in MA, '93 854 GLT, 118k, matto815@aol.com

Id think that with the driving that I do, body roll on this car would be pretty negligable, even if I had pillows for suspension. (I hate to admit it, but I kind of drive like a pu$$y. A lot induced by the fear of crushing my car on one of these Mass holes)

So yeah, Im thinking of going even softer than stock. Any suggestions?

I too am in mass. (worcester county) and there are days when I wish I still had my old plymouth grand voyager around, either for its all wheel drive, or for the beefier tires and more compliant suspension, or just the cargo space... even my roommate's honda civic has less jarring yet still sporty suspension...

I too need to consider a suspension change in the near future on my '93 850glt...
--
-- current ride: '93 850 glt