Suspension, TERRIBLE ride...

[soulstyledevon]

Yep not changing springs at all. I vaguely remember talking about anti roll bars but I don’t think I agreed to anything other than new shocks. He has a rather reassuring phone voice.
I will try and get a before picture.

Yes he’s very reassuring Steve.
Think long and hard about what you really want. Maybe it’s for you, possibly it’s not.
PM, if you want first hand experience of the CRS magic.
I won’t say anymore than that.

 

[66tim99]

Anyone reading this thinking of spec’ing a Cali, just get the Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC). You can stiffen the suspension (and weight up the steering) at the designers ride height at the touch of a button, for less money.
Also - Even Steve admitted to me (after he’d upgraded mine, one of the first off the line) that the MY2022 6.1 roll bars don’t need an upgrade.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Mine’s a MY2008, suspension never been touched in nearly 15 years. I’m taking a gamble that new Koni shocks can hardly make things worse. No lowering, same springs and 16’ wheels with Conti Van Contact tyres.
I’m hoping it might work out ok. Actually a little bit excited. I don’t change much with the van. New stereo here, some shelves there, stuck some led fairy lights inside.
I‘ll have half term tootling around Wales to feel if it’s worked.

 

[Californication69]

Mine’s a MY2008, suspension never been touched in nearly 15 years. I’m taking a gamble that new Koni shocks can hardly make things worse. No lowering, same springs and 16’ wheels with Conti Van Contact tyres.
I’m hoping it might work out ok. Actually a little bit excited. I don’t change much with the van. New stereo here, some shelves there, stuck some led fairy lights inside.
I‘ll have half term tootling around Wales to feel if it’s worked.

Steve is very accommodating though, he will change things to make sure you are happy with the new shocks.
I wouldn’t lower it though.
Standard ride height just works.

 

[B J G]

Mine’s a MY2008, suspension never been touched in nearly 15 years. I’m taking a gamble that new Koni shocks can hardly make things worse. No lowering, same springs and 16’ wheels with Conti Van Contact tyres.
I’m hoping it might work out ok. Actually a little bit excited. I don’t change much with the van. New stereo here, some shelves there, stuck some led fairy lights inside.
I‘ll have half term tootling around Wales to feel if it’s worked.

Depends on mileage as well as age but springs may be getting old and weak plus rear spring rubbers are probably in need of replacing. Front strut tops also.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Same! Booked CRS this Saturday, fingers crossed


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Can I ask what are you doing? Same as me - just Koni shocks?

Another fan of CRS here. My California ocean was terrible handling
Wallowy into bends, felt unstable on motorways and into roundabouts and useless in hilly or bendy roads like Lake District or Yorkshire dales
I was becoming a very nervous driver and not enjoying
They fitted Koni special active shocks, lifted the rear with washers to get better nose down and stop under steer and also H & R Arbs
I’ve fallen in love with the van again
Whatever your specific gripes, talk to CRS, real experts , no bullshit

hi
Would you say you were after good handling/stability rather than comfort?
I’m getting Koni shocks from Steve but not sure about anti roll bar. More keen on comfort than handling although they’re not exclusive.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Worth a watch…

 

[owen_h]

Recently had Koni Special Active shocks fitted to my Beach. (+ new bushings and top mounts). I had previously (6ish years ago) had -40mm H&R springs fitted so it wasnt stock to start with. Still on the 16" wheels fitted with 215 width CrossClimate tyres.
There was a very noticeable improvement in comfort levels. Broken & uneven road surfaces are dealt with much better and less crashing evident. Bigger potholes will still make their presence felt. Since having it done I have done ~ 700 miles, mixture of motorway and small lanes with 2 sea kayaks on the roof. Wish I had made the change ages ago.
Fitting was done by a local Transporter specialist. It was the first time they had fitted Konis. After the mechanic had done the test drive and returned the boss also wanted to experience the ride.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Recently had Koni Special Active shocks fitted to my Beach. (+ new bushings and top mounts). I had previously (6ish years ago) had -40mm H&R springs fitted so it wasnt stock to start with. Still on the 16" wheels fitted with 215 width CrossClimate tyres.
There was a very noticeable improvement in comfort levels. Broken & uneven road surfaces are dealt with much better and less crashing evident. Bigger potholes will still make their presence felt. Since having it done I have done ~ 700 miles, mixture of motorway and small lanes with 2 sea kayaks on the roof. Wish I had made the change ages ago.
Fitting was done by a local Transporter specialist. It was the first time they had fitted Konis. After the mechanic had done the test drive and returned the boss also wanted to experience the ride.

Thanks v helpful

 

[mr_waxdope_noodle]

Recently had Koni Special Active shocks fitted to my Beach. (+ new bushings and top mounts). I had previously (6ish years ago) had -40mm H&R springs fitted so it wasnt stock to start with. Still on the 16" wheels fitted with 215 width CrossClimate tyres.
There was a very noticeable improvement in comfort levels. Broken & uneven road surfaces are dealt with much better and less crashing evident. Bigger potholes will still make their presence felt. Since having it done I have done ~ 700 miles, mixture of motorway and small lanes with 2 sea kayaks on the roof. Wish I had made the change ages ago.
Fitting was done by a local Transporter specialist. It was the first time they had fitted Konis. After the mechanic had done the test drive and returned the boss also wanted to experience the ride.

Thank you!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Best video I’ve seen so far

2:20 for back to back test. Yes, he’s a salesman.
For £1k definitely worth a punt. Big fan of the word “plush”!!

 

[66tim99]

Best video I’ve seen so far

2:20 for back to back test. Yes, he’s a salesman.
For £1k definitely worth a punt. Big fan of the word “plush”!!

Plush roooide!
How much for 4 fitted to a Cali?

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Plush roooide!
How much for 4 fitted to a Cali?

“£795.00 set with £175.00 for us to fit them”

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Before and after CRS trip.

So he raised the rear about 25mm with spacers. This can be confirmed when I measured when I got home. Oddly the bubble on cooker lid seems more level in the afterwards picture !?

I can’t say the results are night and day. The van feels more stable and settled and less boat like which gives you more confidence. Steering a little heavier which I like. But replacing 15yr old shocks, of course it would be better. They said my springs and bushes looked ok.

I think I will reserve judgment on the ride until after half term. M1 not the best place to make a comparison.

 

[Corradobrit]

I would just get uprated ARB's fitted first and then decide if you need further work.

(We uprated the ARB's on our 2012, switched to 17" Davenport inch rims with Conti van contact & had a remap...now drives like a dream with no wallow in corners)

So far I like the ride on the factory installed stiffer ARB's. Still a plush ride on 17" 235 55 tyres but with minimal body roll unless really pushed into the corners.

 

[soulstyledevon]

Looking at picture 2, you’ll be sleeping like a bat in the roof.
Dear ohh dear…

 

[Lambeth Cali]

I’ll order some 25mm chocks!

 

[Nand0]

View attachment 104823

Slightly off topic, but looking at your van, at least based on these pics, and if it's indeed 15yrs old, it looks fantastic! Here's hoping I can keep mine for many years to come, and you give me hope . Although I'm running VB Air, and I'd be very surprised if I don't have to do something major with those within that time frame.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

Slightly off topic, but looking at your van, at least based on these pics, and if it's indeed 15yrs old, it looks fantastic! Here's hoping I can keep mine for many years to come, and you give me hope . Although I'm running VB Air, and I'd be very surprised if I don't have to do something major with those within that time frame.

Thanks very much. 2008 which I bought in late 2009. I give it a serious wash with toothbrush and jet wash once a year. Waxed it probably twice in 14 yrs. Only used for holidays and day trips. I didn’t used to like the metallic wheat beige but now I love it. It’s a fantastic machine. I don’t think we’ll ever sell it. Nobody borrows it. Ever.

 

[Lambeth Cali]

I said I would rate the change after going to CRS and getting the Koni Active shocks fitted.

After a few days riding upto and around Anglesey I formed these opinions. The van on the motorway feels more planted, firmer at the corners and generally less wallowy. At around 70mph it feels more secure but with no loss of comfort. I liked that a lot as we do lots of motorway miles. At 50mph on dual carriageways it was the same but when I got to a roundabout it was much more secure and flatter a bit like what I imagine having a thicker anti-roll bar would feel like. A lot less roll. This is pretty much what the ‘active’ Konis claim. Firming up when going faster.

As to the 30mph ride that seems more complex. I have said before that I actually thought my van rides quite well. It’s a 2008 with only 54k and CRS said the springs looked ok. I wouldn’t say the van rides better but subtly different. It feels more planted and bounces less when hitting bumps. Riding over broken tarmac on a country road at 40 it did seem to cope quite a bit better and dial the bumps out. It isn’t a big difference to comfort though. Not suddenly a limo.

So I was keen to improve the ride and was less keen about handling. I seem to have improved the van handling with a generally newer feel but not greatly improved the ride.

 

[B J G]

I said I would rate the change after going to CRS and getting the Koni Active shocks fitted.

After a few days riding upto and around Anglesey I formed these opinions. The van on the motorway feels more planted, firmer at the corners and generally less wallowy. At around 70mph it feels more secure but with no loss of comfort. I liked that a lot as we do lots of motorway miles. At 50mph on dual carriageways it was the same but when I got to a roundabout it was much more secure and flatter a bit like what I imagine having a thicker anti-roll bar would feel like. A lot less roll. This is pretty much what the ‘active’ Konis claim. Firming up when going faster.

As to the 30mph ride that seems more complex. I have said before that I actually thought my van rides quite well. It’s a 2008 with only 54k and CRS said the springs looked ok. I wouldn’t say the van rides better but subtly different. It feels more planted and bounces less when hitting bumps. Riding over broken tarmac on a country road at 40 it did seem to cope quite a bit better and dial the bumps out. It isn’t a big difference to comfort though. Not suddenly a limo.

So I was keen to improve the ride and was less keen about handling. I seem to have improved the van handling with a generally newer feel but not greatly improved the ride.

With the state of most of our roads you need to be careful that you aren't trying to achieve the impossible.

 

[Californication69]

I said I would rate the change after going to CRS and getting the Koni Active shocks fitted.

After a few days riding upto and around Anglesey I formed these opinions. The van on the motorway feels more planted, firmer at the corners and generally less wallowy. At around 70mph it feels more secure but with no loss of comfort. I liked that a lot as we do lots of motorway miles. At 50mph on dual carriageways it was the same but when I got to a roundabout it was much more secure and flatter a bit like what I imagine having a thicker anti-roll bar would feel like. A lot less roll. This is pretty much what the ‘active’ Konis claim. Firming up when going faster.

As to the 30mph ride that seems more complex. I have said before that I actually thought my van rides quite well. It’s a 2008 with only 54k and CRS said the springs looked ok. I wouldn’t say the van rides better but subtly different. It feels more planted and bounces less when hitting bumps. Riding over broken tarmac on a country road at 40 it did seem to cope quite a bit better and dial the bumps out. It isn’t a big difference to comfort though. Not suddenly a limo.

So I was keen to improve the ride and was less keen about handling. I seem to have improved the van handling with a generally newer feel but not greatly improved the ride.

Glad Steve sorted the shocks out.
Yes the Koni shocks are the best for what you wanted to achieve. Well done for not getting springs changed as that will keep the correct ride height.
Makes me happy that I can be secure in the knowledge my shocks should last 15 years.
That’s amazing going to be honest.

Just done 550 miles up and around the Lakes in the last week, and the 2023 shock and spring setup on the 4Motion was sublime, compared to the original MY20 FWD 204 setup.

 

[Corradobrit]

Just done 550 miles up and around the Lakes in the last week, and the 2023 shock and spring setup on the 4Motion was sublime, compared to the original MY20 FWD 204 setup.

No complaints here either. Pliant when needed with little body roll in tight corners. Seems to float at higher motorway speeds.

 

[andyinluton]

Just done 550 miles up and around the Lakes in the last week, and the 2023 shock and spring setup on the 4Motion was sublime, compared to the original MY20 FWD 204 setup.

Interesting that you say that, we were discussing at home yesterday how much better our 23MY 4 motion seems to ride than our previous 20MY 199 FWD
I measured the hight from the ground to the top of the wheel arch & its sitting almost 40mm lower than our previous van!

 

[pjm-84]

Worth a watch…

The only issue I have is tyre wear. 18in are lasting between 10 and 12k on the front. I understand 8k miles out of a 20in tyre offering is good.