Nicebiscuit

The real silliness is the discrepancy between touch screens on different devices.
 
Given how crap the Toyota interface is, one of the most dangerous things you can do in the car is try change from iPod to Radio 4... . Far worse than clicking 'yes' when the phone says 'I've found a better route - want to use it'
 
 
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I think the big dealer groups are more powerful than the distributors, yes. It's the only explanation for some of the crap.
 
We have decent Ford, Toyota, BMW, Jag and Peugeot dealers locally. All small chains or family run. Coincidence? No - don't think so.
 
All the garages that have lied or provided terrible service to me have been large groups. Lesson learned.
 
 
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I'm finding the same trouble is with many groups selling multiple brands have they got over confident thinking if you want a certain car you have to come to us?

The real silliness is the discrepancy between touch screens on different devices.
 
Given how crap the Toyota interface is, one of the most dangerous things you can do in the car is try change from iPod to Radio 4... . Far worse than clicking 'yes' when the phone says 'I've found a better route - want to use it'
 
 
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So worth the wait ... 

Well, as I've got the version without the starter button I have a little more room. So I use it for my phone, a small suitcase, back issues of National Geographic 1977-1982, and a portable barbecue. And there's a bit at the back I sub-let to a lodger.
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Well, as I've got the version without the starter button I have a little more room. So I use it for my phone, a small suitcase, back issues of National Geographic 1977-1982, and a portable barbecue. And there's a bit at the back I sub-let to a lodger.
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Well, as I've got the version without the starter button I have a little more room. So I use it for my phone, a small suitcase, back issues of National Geographic 1977-1982, and a portable barbecue. And there's a bit at the back I sub-let to a lodger.
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Well, as I've got the version without the starter button I have a little more room. So I use it for my phone, a small suitcase, back issues of National Geographic 1977-1982, and a portable barbecue. And there's a bit at the back I sub-let to a lodger.
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Mines a very motley selection

VW1300

Metro GTA

Ford Ka

VW Golf

Ford Puma

Audi A3

Skoda Fabia Estate

Ford Focus

Saab 900 convertible

BMW 1er Coupe

Saab 900i
Abarth 500

Citroen Berlingo (x2)

Saab 9-5 Aero

GT86

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Mines a very motley selection

VW1300

Metro GTA

Ford Ka

VW Golf

Ford Puma

Audi A3

Skoda Fabia Estate

Ford Focus

Saab 900 convertible

BMW 1er Coupe

Saab 900i
Abarth 500

Citroen Berlingo (x2)

Saab 9-5 Aero

GT86

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A lot of people here seem to go with Tein coilovers, and with good reason, but I thought I might try something a little different, as perhaps I was looking for different results.

First thing is that my car is most definitely a road car. I'd like a play on track in due course, but the main reason I own a car like this at all is that I live of the edge of the Peak District. So I want a b-road rather than track oriented set up.

As such I found the stock spring rates not too bad, but never been that impressed with the damping. It seemed both unnecessarily jiggly at low speed, and not that controlled at speed on lumpy surfaces. The other thing is ride height. A bit lower is ok, but it wasn't a priority or even that desirable as the car has to negotiate car parks kerbs and speed jumps.

So I considered just swapping out the dampers (Bilsteins again probably) until I realised this coilover set could be had for very little extra. The JDM crowd may not approve of the choice of German suspension but I would gently suggest they check the decals on the side of pretty much any Toyota works rally car since the mid seventies

This B14 set are priced right between the Tein Flex Z and Flex As so are a straight choice cost wise. I probably would have gone for the Flex As. So why these? Basically a different set of compromises that I thought might suit my requirements better.

These are non adjustable - the damping is how Bilstein think it should be and that's your lot. That's the first difference. (If you want adjustable damping there is the B16 set for a fair bit more cash). This didn't bother me particularly.

They certainly appear high quality - monotube dampers in rather nice stainless steel (bit of a waste you can't actually see them )

For my purposes, the key difference is a decent spring length and near-stock travel, combined with progressive spring rates. This seemed possibly a better set up for our godawful roads.

RRG fitted them - they reuse the stock mounts - and got a bit of camber on the front with camber bolts. I've got the ride height dialled right up for now. Bilstein say 10-30mm drop, and they haven't settled yet but 10mm seems about right. As noted above I don't really want it lower, just BETTER.

So having had chance for a blast over to Buxton I can now say without shadow of a doubt these hit the spot. Disclaimer - I haven't driven a Tein suspended car so I can't compare, but these are my impressions .

Firstly, low speed ride if anything is better. Firm but not jiggly. The faster you go the better it gets.

The balance of the car hasn't changed, the tail is still playful, but the main difference is the car is so much less nervous on rough Tarmac. Turn in much better (suspect the Yokohamas have a lot to do with this) and then the car remains adjustable, leaning on its back outside tyre like it always did but now uncorrupted by bumps.

Basically the car is so much faster on a B road now just because of the additional control. It doesn't wriggle or squirm unnecessarily on poor surfaces. I make it sound boring, but it isn't. It's still alive and steering feel is lovely, just more capable. I now feel I can use all the car all of the time. In short I absolutely love it.

So would I recommend? Yes - I couldn't be happier, and if you want something primarily for fast road use these work really well. They feel stock but much better - if Toyota did an 'S' model it would feel like this. I can't imagine they have as much scope as the Teins for track suspension though, or if you like to tweak your settings.









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The wheels are great. And you've got to go with that colour on a Subaru, haven't you.
As for the suspension, I had camber bolts fitted when the coilovers went on and the car just doesn't understeer any more.
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Spotted a red Primo in Stafford today, he blanked me and Keith.

Agree about the lack of the 'three flashes' on the indicator. That's annoying and a weird omission. I'd also add the annoyance of having to press a button to fold the mirrors whilst the ignitions still on.
The back seats are perfectly serviceable though and make all the difference. Can you think of another sports car under £30k that you can fit your kids in? I couldn't - which is why I own one. They might be tight - but I'd have to put them in the boot of an MX5!
So there's the niche. People who quite fancy a Caterham, Elise or even a secondhand Cayman but have a family! Not all Dads covet a Q7 ;-D
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Another thought - I have my phone mount (used for nav etc) on top of the dashboard just above the vent there. There's a spot where it doesn't actually block any vision just your view of the pillar.
I had it mounted by the vent before and it annoyed because I either lost use of the vent or it was blasting hot/cold air at my phone.
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Agree about the lack of the 'three flashes' on the indicator. That's annoying and a weird omission. I'd also add the annoyance of having to press a button to fold the mirrors whilst the ignitions still on.
The back seats are perfectly serviceable though and make all the difference. Can you think of another sports car under £30k that you can fit your kids in? I couldn't - which is why I own one. They might be tight - but I'd have to put them in the boot of an MX5!
So there's the niche. People who quite fancy a Caterham, Elise or even a secondhand Cayman but have a family! Not all Dads covet a Q7 ;-D
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I noted with interest the news on the Gazoo Racing Yaris this week. That'll give Riceburner something to sell to the front wheel drive brigade...
Looked promising...
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From Wikipedia...
"Toyota 86 in Asia, South Africa, North America (from August 2016), South America and Australia;[1] GT86 in Europe; both of the preceding names in New Zealand; FT86 in Nicaragua and Jamaica;".
...and Thailand apparently...
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My Panda is on proper Alpine rated M & S four seasons Good Year Vector tyres.
Pretty much unphased by anything other than really slippery rocks.
Lockable 4WD, hill descent control, electronic diff locks, underbody protection & so on.
Winter pack gives you volcanic bum warmers, a proper heated screen & washer jets.
We had a Mk1 Panda 4x4 too. A pre - FIRE version.
Great car but chalk & cheese as the Cross is built extremely well & even standard kit is generous.
It's a tough, loveable honest little car that does everything really quite well

Hmm - that cat back is tempting to compliment the rest of your exhaust bits on my car...
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Good for them :-). Doing the right thing I think...
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Thanks for the warm welcome, I know the car has some history and others have had issues with the HKS kit. Frankly any car with nearly double the stock horse power is a gamble, I know that, it's the game we are in.
Anyway....
Took some pictures the other week I thought I would share, I will start my own thread soon.

Well they haven't yet - it's still in the showroom - give them a chance...
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Only saw one from a distance... I'll have another look then.
I did like the current Prius in the metal. It's unusual and interesting in a way Citroens used to be...
Even the GT86 is better in real life then in photos - can look blander in print.
Anyhow - who cares if I think it's pig ugly - beauty in eye of beholder and all that. I have a crush on the Citroen C4 Cactus and the BMW i3 so I'm no one to talk...
It's certainly not boring - that's for sure. If it appeals to you you should go for it
(Not helping am i?)
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