Smart Car Shocks/Suspension

[tpths1]

I have a 2008 smart fortwo passion . I love the car overall, but I'm not too happy with the suspension/shocks on the car. The front end has a tendancy to bottom out when hitting a bump in the road or on the freeway. It seems that the suspnsion isn't appropriate. Does anyone else have the same issue and any suggestions on how to make the suspension a little less stiff.

[ccdsmart]

Ya had the same issue. Went to larger tires and wheels and changed the suspension out to the brabus suspension. Not only changed the looks but the handling and ride of the car is totally different. there are different setups out there you can do. Go to Smartmadness.com and give them a call. Both Boris and Rachel can give you quite a few suggestions for different setups that can go on your car just depends on what you want to do and how much you want to spend. Have fun.

[John_H]

Do you think a less stiff suspension will reduce the bottoming out?

[Two Butts]

Yes, definately. Madness installed a set of KW coil overs on my car and the ride is much, much, better.

Combined with the 17" Genius wheels, the car's ride is like night and day from the factory components.

[dancote]

Originally Posted by John_H

Do you think a less stiff suspension will reduce the bottoming out?

John,

IMHO your smart is not bottoming out because you have a stiff suspension.

I too went with the Brabus suspension when I traded my '08 Passion for an '09 Brabus and the difference is like night and day. The Brabus suspension components are designed to give the car better handling and are much more compliant than the stock smart suspension.

Get a test drive in a Brabus and see for yourself.

Regards,

Dan

[Z06-LITE]

No to hijack this thread, but a quick question about the Brabus shocks. I looked at an early Brabus and the shocks had a decal from Billstien on the shock body. My Brabus coupe was built in April this year. Today, I had all four wheels off doing some stuff, and I did not see the Billstien decals, only Brabus decals. Are my shocks indeed Billstiens? Thanks, George.

[jwight]

Originally Posted by Z06-LITE

No to hijack this thread, but a quick question about the Brabus shocks. I looked at an early Brabus and the shocks had a decal from Billstien on the shock body. My Brabus coupe was built in April this year. Today, I had all four wheels off doing some stuff, and I did not see the Billstien decals, only Brabus decals. Are my shocks indeed Billstiens? Thanks, George.

George, going to give this a definite "probably" - here's a link to a photo for the 451 Brabus suspension kit and it shows both labels: Smart Parts Direct Limited

[Z06-LITE]

Originally Posted by jwight

George, going to give this a definite "probably" - here's a link to a photo for the 451 Brabus suspension kit and it shows both labels: Smart Parts Direct Limited

Thanks for the information, that's what I was looking for.

[smartcar_ftl?]

im going to have to look into some of this as well cause im not liking the way the car handles one bit. As far as diy on these cars is it a pain? I havent gotten to look over mine too much yet, it is too new to me.