Are the stock Bilsteins on Legacy 2003 GTB adjustable?

[marjonz]

Sorry, noob here. Just bought a Legacy 2003 GTB (or is that GT spec B?), and it's supposed to come with Bilsteins fitted and 18" wheels. Driving it in the open road is very nice, but we live in the outskirts of West Auckland, so driving it around here, we can feel every bump/rock/pebble on the road. Is there a way to soften the suspension a bit so the ride is not too uncomfortable?

[funkytown]

nope not adjustable. change to non bilstein shocks or soften the sway bars.

or swap to 17" wheels with wider profile tyre.

[gazzy2000]

so thats a BP i take it? if its a BP5a.. they are renound for having a harsher ride, i.e. stiffer damper, later revisions (B C) were indeed softer but the downside was more body roll.

I just tell the missus its a sports car.. deal with it lol

i guess a fix to try is to watch out for and buy later model suspension (from a B or C) otherwise yud be stuffing around with the unknown wasting $$ trying to get it right

[DacerX]

I didn't think it was that bad on gravel and that was a bp5a

[marjonz]

Thanks for the constructive suggestions. I think I'd rather stay away from adjusting the sway bars. If I switch shocks, which ones would you guys suggest? Looking for a decent compromise between a bit softer ride and still handle decent enough not to give too much roll on the corners. Not planning to race this, just as a daily commute car.

Also, I understand swapping to 17" will give me a slightly softer ride, but is that a better option that swapping the shocks?

[GC8E2DD]

You could always offer to swap struts with anyone who owns a non B-Spec GT. I'm sure someone would be happy to oblige. Swap wheels with them at the same time.

[gazzy2000]

 GC8E2DD said:

You could always offer to swap struts with anyone who owns a non B-Spec GT. I'm sure someone would be happy to oblige. Swap wheels with them at the same time.

thats not silly either, coz if you dont like them you can swap back, but yea.. quite a few ppl will like the harder ride so you maybe able to find a couple of ppl interested.

I believe the later ones have atad more body roll.. but nothing to make you car sick lol

[marjonz]

so you guys would suggest swapping the Bilsteins over swapping to 17"s?

[DacerX]

Or just go for a softer spring from the 20r....

[GC8E2DD]

If you can find some 17s for free or cheap that have tyres with the same OD, then try that first. Even better if you can just borrow some for a week and see how that feels.

[DacerX]

If u want to sell your bilstens and rims let me know

[marjonz]

 dacerx said:

If u want to sell your bilstens and rims let me know

Thanks will keep you in mind. Seriously considering switching over to 17". Ride is a bit harsh specially coming to where we are staying now. Have to go really really slow (like 10-20kph) so that it doesn't hurt too much.

[gazzy2000]

 marjonz']

[quote name='dacerx said:

If u want to sell your bilstens and rims let me know

/quote]

Thanks will keep you in mind. Seriously considering switching over to 17". Ride is a bit harsh specially coming to where we are staying now. Have to go really really slow (like 10-20kph) so that it doesn't hurt too much.

u cud find a club member near you and swap out the 17" wheels as a test to see if the ride is better

i reckon the BP's cud look alright on v7 STI gold rims

[gotasuby]

 gazzy2000']

[quote name='dacerx said:

If u want to sell your bilstens and rims let me know

/quote]

Thanks will keep you in mind. Seriously considering switching over to 17". Ride is a bit harsh specially coming to where we are staying now. Have to go really really slow (like 10-20kph) so that it doesn't hurt too much.

u cud find a club member near you and swap out the 17" wheels as a test to see if the ride is better

i reckon the BP's cud look alright on v7 STI gold rims

Tbh I don't like silver bp on gold v7 wheels. That's what I have atm and they look wrong

[DacerX]

Needs to be an 18-19 really

[mondo]

You'll get used to it, If you change to a softer setup you'll be back on here complaining it now handles like shit.

[D-Style]

You could always get the shocks rebuilt, they can adjust the shims for the valving to make it softer....

[DacerX]

Springs would be the far cheaper option

[gazzy2000]

I hv read It's the damper on bp5a shocks that are ridgid, not the springs..

[DacerX]

its not that hard really about the same as the standard ones

[marjonz]

Now I'm really confused on whether to change the shocks, springs or wheels.

[DacerX]

lots of choices

[gazzy2000]

 marjonz said:

Now I'm really confused on whether to change the shocks, springs or wheels.

just see if you can borrow some 17 wheels and start from there...

[funkytown]

 gotasuby']

[quote name='dacerx said:

If u want to sell your bilstens and rims let me know

/quote]

Thanks will keep you in mind. Seriously considering switching over to 17". Ride is a bit harsh specially coming to where we are staying now. Have to go really really slow (like 10-20kph) so that it doesn't hurt too much.

u cud find a club member near you and swap out the 17" wheels as a test to see if the ride is better

i reckon the BP's cud look alright on v7 STI gold rims

Tbh I don't like silver bp on gold v7 wheels. That's what I have atm and they look wrong

pics for general population.

[gotasuby]

couldn't be bothered going out in rain so sorry about shit photo lol