Clementine's Garage
Clementine the Cat
 
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Yellow R4
 
Réparateur d'automobiles

Dampers, dampers...maybe the end of the neverending story.

Looks nice. What brand are they?
Have you driven with them?
Some more information would be appreciated;)
 
Are they R4 specific, or made for another car?
 
I ordered through DCPerformance, also in the UK, and as they are one of SPAX busiest distributors they were able to get them produced and shipped within a few days!
The SPAX part numbers, for a 4L - G406 and G614.
 
Angel, they are listed in the catalogue as made specifically for our 4Ls or vans, and installation was quick and with no issues whatsoever.

My first assessement is a bombshell, at least in my mind, in that the car is both much more comfortable as well as stable! I thought I would be trading some comfort for stiffness, but instead both are improving with each turn of the adjustment knobs...thus far.
I'll go up another 4 clicks today - still trying to find out at which setting it gets too stiff.
I've driven it for 2 days at the 10 position on all four; with a roof rack and tandem bike, and without, This morning I'll try the 14 position. Spax have a reputation for being on the stiff side [according to various forums], but I'm not getting the same impression.

I was equally interested in AVO dampers, but the longer build time put me off, even in spite of the lower price. Not AVOs fault, simply my own lack of patience! So I will ask anyone with AVO experience to join the discussion - it would be a big help to those who have been mulling over the choices but are not convinced that spending the extra cash is worthwhile.
RIght now, there are only a few alternatives being made for our R4s...and if the few manufacturers left get no orders, they'll be removed from the product list. The difference in safety, handling and comfort are dramatic, and if not AVO or SPAX, the price of 'custom' Viarouge, Bilstein, and others [often used for the 4L Trophy] are at too high [700 euros - 1200 euros].
I would no longer settle for the 'original' handling, when dramatically improved safety and comfort can cost just a bit more than DeCarbon/Delphi, Record, KYB, etc. I've had 4 kinds of dampers on my car, so I'm not speculating.
 
So with the settings at 14 clicks all around, I'm still happy and impressed! Wow! Petak, come take a test drive - 1.4 power and adjustable dampers...feels 'right' to me :)

I can imagine, at 14 clicks, that some would find the handling 'too much like a normal car' and stop there, or back down to 12 clicks all around. Our narrow twisty roads here are often a bit rough, and although 14 clicks stiffness feels solid on these rough roads, I might not go much or any higher for normal everyday driving.
 
I have AVO units on both my F4's. Have not played about with the settings as yet.
AVO are local to me as well. Quick service and I could go and collect.
 
I had several chats with AVO, and could have gone either way except for the longer build-time issue. What settings are you at with the F4s? What were your driving impressions when you first used them, as compared to originals?
 
Thank you @uaz04 that was some worthwhile reading.
I'll check out the link you've posted since Im looking for dampers myself
 
Price tip for anyone interested: Spax dampers are cheaper from DCPerformance than buying direct from the factory - 10 percent. DCPerformance also has a discount for AVO.
 
So looking at them they are about £90 each so nearly £400, am I right, after driving mine yesterday I think I need to replace them to reduce the body roll
 
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