If it helps at all dented_vts, welshpug runs a ZX 16v converted to a XU10 J4RS engine. Therefore pretty much the same suspension as your Xsara.

I'd have thought the springs feel too stiff because the damping is not good enough at the moment. I've had KYB inverted STi v5 struts before on a legacy turbo. They weren't bad at all.

In 306 terms i've had the experience of standard, koni yellows + eibach, Bilstein B8 + eibach and AST sportline 1 coilovers. They can all be good to be honest, but the konis need to be on at least medium setting.

Was very impressed by the B8 + eibach combo in CUJs rallye, similar feel to the ASTs on my car. I would seriously consider using your standard springs on a set of B8 gti6 dampers and a thicker rear ARB. Will be a well damped but compliant ride with brilliant turn-in.

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Thanks for the opinions- and a good point re the tires. But i only picked up the car for a couple of hundred and can't justify significant expense on it.

How much are the b8 at trade? i'm presume the sports bilstein listed on Eurocrapparts web-site are just the b6 variant?

I'm just running standard wheels with T1r proxes- car had a near new set on the back at purchase so i just bought a pair for the front(about 110). looked at conti sport contact 2 which are meant to be good in that size.

Handling in mine is quite good in the dry at medium speeds, but push on in the wet on a bumpy corner and it slides, alarmingly and the ride is shocking.

I'm still interested in the KYB ultra SR but they are more than twice the price of the Excel G version.

If you use the GTi6 front dampers as a replacement then ideally yes as your springs are 30mm shorter as standard iirc.

Fair enough on the tyres - i've been thinking about the contisports as well, but they are the same price as the PE2 and I know what they are like!

When I said 6+kg thats with a lightweight wheel and tyre, not just the tyre

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Well... not necessarily. PE2s are really really light. You pay for that in sidewall flex, but you can really feel the difference against an F1 for example.

My 15s with 195/50s come in at 11kg (I think it was - might have been 10.6...) per wheel/tyre with the wheels weighing 5.5 each.

The handling difference is very noticeable, sure you get a lot more grip with the wider wheels, but the change of direction is so much more immediate.

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I think its because the wider rim pulls the sidewalls out, meaning they wont flop about as much.

Similar to the argument that a 185 feels tighter on a 205 than a 195 wide tyre.

as to why he's on 55's, he's a cheapshkate like nearly everyone else in the 306/205 world

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need a part number? get on here - http://public.servicebox.peugeot.com

Bring on the Trumpets.

Loads, loads cheaper and the rate I go through tyres I need them cheap! Sure the speedo is out but as far as I'm concerned everything else is fine so quite happy to continue using them.

If I was that fussed about keeping it as god/higher power intended then i'd really need to sell it now and buy another one. I'm not entirely sure i've improved it, but its got shed loads more mechanical grip and the handling is pretty much the same (or was before the new engine) so can't be too bad.

I've tried my best to keep the brilliant standard ride quality and handling!

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No change all of them - the rears do a huge amount for the balance of the car even if you think they aren't. The difference was massive when I changed mine.

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Are OE front gti6 dampers worthwhile or is worth going to the ones supplied by ECP? as I believe there 10% firmer?

As I have just ordered some OE rears, currently running eibach pro springs upfront.

Many thanks,

Matt

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Team Astor Front Mounted... Hybrid turbo on it's way.

The Bilsteins sold by ECP are the same for all the 306 range- ie they are x percent stiffer than the dampers for the regular car, not the GTi-6. If i were you i would look at the KYB dampers at buypartsby and spend the difference on new top mounts and bushes.