Hi all,

I'm looking for suspension advice for the 1973 142E. I need to restore more quickly than expected as I might be moving north to the Adirondacks this winter.

A little background: I plan to keep the car (the little green number in the post on alternators) close to stock and, while I don't race, I enjoy driving assertively. Right now I have stock springs, shocks and anti sway bar. I've looked at all bushings and other parts and am replacing what is worn. I'll probably end up with heavy duty snow tires on the steelies and go with a touring tire on a 14 or 15 alloy in the summer.

The car feels tippy and rolly to me in normal driving, a bit soft, the usual excessive roll at stops and, certainly, in corners. I don't particularly want the car lower, though I realize that may help the ride by lowering center of gravity.

Last time I did this - I ended up with too stiff a ride - I put my 87 240 wagon on sport springs, with ipd sways and Bilstein tourings...too much for a comfortable rural ride. It cornered like mad though...

My question:
Plan A-stay with stock anti-sway, add progressive spring set from VPD (see: http://www.v-performance.com/products.html) - progressive in front, single rate in back
OR
Plan B-go with ipd anti-sway bars and keep stock springs?

Is it six of one half dozen of the other? The springs sound very appealing... And yes, I guess there's a chance of ending up with it all (springs and sways) but...where to start in order to achieve an effective, enjoyable result without spending too much?

In either case, I am then faced with the shock decision. Bilstein touring was my first thought but they are costly for 140's. What about Bilstein HD on the front and something softer on the back (given the relative light weight of the rear )? I can make this decision after driving for a little while with whatever sway/spring choice I make.

Appreciate any advice - especially based on what others have used on their 140s.

Thanks!

Kelley