If the '95 CSE were mine, I would do the following, in order;


1. 16" Wheels with 205/50/16s
Cost: $300-$500 for the wheels $325-$600 for tires
Upsides: Better braking, Better Handling, Wider Tire Selection
Downside: None

2. Lower Control Arm Bushings
Cost: $150
Upsides: Better Control, Improved tracking over broken pavement
Downsides: None

3. SAS Roll Bars
Cost: $300
Upsides: Less Understeer, Less Lateral Body Roll
Downsides: Slight Drumming over 70mph, Moderatley difficult installation

4. Koni Adjustable Shocks
Cost: $550
Upsides: Adjustable Damping, Long consistent life
Downsides: Moderatley difficult installation, Long Break In Period

*As an expert offroad motorcycle racer, I'm a bit of a suspension bigot. Motorcycle suspension is infinitely adjustable, so I have the opinion that fixed damping is, at best, a compromise. Koni fronts can be adjusted in 30secs. I've adjusted settings for different tires, number of passengers, etc. I suspect some of the fixed dampers, Boge, Sachs, etc are pretty good too but I'm fond of the adjustable nature of Konis.

You might find that you can stop right at this point and have a 9000 that handles well and has an acceptable ride quality. I have one in this state of tune, and it's probably the most reasonable overall.

5. Lowering Coils:
Cost:$250
Upsides: Lower center of mass, quicker handling
Downsides: The nose drags everywhere, Tires wear more quickly.
Bigger Downside: Ride Quality. Grown men will fight to death not to ride in the back seat.

*One of my 9000s has the BG lowering coils. 30mm lower in the front, 25mm in the rear. The handling is razor sharp. I can A-B this one against various Porsches & BMWs and the handling is very nearly as good. Less aggressive springs might be a good compromise here.

I did most of this when these cars were nearly new, so it was easier to rationalize the $$$. Well worth the time & money.

Good Luck


posted by 209.10.230...

• UPGRADE SUSPENSION, JOHN B. STANLEY, Thu, 15 Jul 2004 04:08:44
  • Re: UPGRADE SUSPENSION, AndyJ, Fri, 16 Jul 2004 14:36:01
  • Where you live makes a difference!, Noel, Thu, 15 Jul 2004 15:03:49
  • I have 3 9000s, each with different suspension settings, George, Thu, 15 Jul 2004 13:16:12 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Re: UPGRADE SUSPENSION, MikeH98CSE, Thu, 15 Jul 2004 07:37:03
    • Is the ride height the same as Aero setup?, Dag, Thu, 15 Jul 2004 09:25:33
      • Re: Is the ride height the same as Aero setup?, MikeH98CSE, Fri, 16 Jul 2004 14:59:05
      • In fact the Saab "sports suspension" kit as >, Bill Davies, Thu, 15 Jul 2004 12:18:58
  • Couple of other things..., Joe98, Thu, 15 Jul 2004 06:34:26
    • Comments on 91-92 suspension mods?, bstan, Thu, 15 Jul 2004 10:03:21
    • Any rubbing with 225/50-16?, Dag, Thu, 15 Jul 2004 06:56:22
      • Re: A bit, rear only, AndyJ, Thu, 15 Jul 2004 11:10:25
      • Slight..., Joe98, Thu, 15 Jul 2004 07:34:51
  • Sachs has a complete shock/spring set, Noel, Thu, 15 Jul 2004 05:44:53
    • Sportchassi, Pa Taket, Thu, 15 Jul 2004 07:11:28
      • Re: Sportchassi, John S, Mon, 19 Jul 2004 04:43:06
      • Re: Sportchassi, AndyJ, Thu, 15 Jul 2004 11:15:52
  • Sachs has a complete shock/spring set, Noel, Thu, 15 Jul 2004 05:40:55
  • bilstein/intrax..., gavin, Thu, 15 Jul 2004 05:07:40
    • Andy J, HF98CSE, Thu, 15 Jul 2004 12:34:07
      • Re: Andy J, AndyJ, Thu, 15 Jul 2004 18:24:07
        • Re: Andy J, HF 98 CSE, Fri, 16 Jul 2004 11:03:04
      • Re: Andy J, AndyJ, Thu, 15 Jul 2004 16:20:07

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