Suspension Upgrade Options
Discussion
Sitting doing nothing over the Xmas holidays can be expensive when it starts you thinking what you could spend money (that you probably haven't got) on the A110
Suspension is probably one of the areas that makes big changes but also varies between people's opinions and feelings and also what and where the car will be used
I did a trawl of the main kits available, and thought it would be interesting to get feedback if anybody has experience and pros and cons
Prices shown are RRP,a few places have offers at the moment so you can find some of these cheaper
In no particular order
KW V3 club sport £2895
KW V3 inox £2322
Nitron R1 £2160 +vat
Nitron R3 £3350 +vat
Life110 Bilstein £1400 dampers only
Life110 Ast £2500 coilover
Life110 R53 ???
Raceshocks Core Ace £5000 +vat
Raceshocks Core Ace R £5550 +vat
MP Rezeau P2S 1 way €3300
MP Rezeau P2S 3 way €5790
Are there any other set ups available?
Suspension is probably one of the areas that makes big changes but also varies between people's opinions and feelings and also what and where the car will be used
I did a trawl of the main kits available, and thought it would be interesting to get feedback if anybody has experience and pros and cons
Prices shown are RRP,a few places have offers at the moment so you can find some of these cheaper
In no particular order
KW V3 club sport £2895
KW V3 inox £2322
Nitron R1 £2160 +vat
Nitron R3 £3350 +vat
Life110 Bilstein £1400 dampers only
Life110 Ast £2500 coilover
Life110 R53 ???
Raceshocks Core Ace £5000 +vat
Raceshocks Core Ace R £5550 +vat
MP Rezeau P2S 1 way €3300
MP Rezeau P2S 3 way €5790
Are there any other set ups available?
Life110 have posted their preferred two ‘ideal’ road spec A110’s, one being more a Sunday morning car and the other more a daily GT longer trips car.
Our car is now more Sunday morning and fast road trips so I’m debating trying the S ARB’s at the moment, we don’t have the AST’s… yet, but I do like the sound of them.
Our car is now more Sunday morning and fast road trips so I’m debating trying the S ARB’s at the moment, we don’t have the AST’s… yet, but I do like the sound of them.
Ohlins are always considered sexy (mmm gold) but you run into issues with servicing - am not sure if there are many places that do this. I haven’t tracked it but last I discussed there was one place in the UK that kind of names their price - and good luck if you are at peak demand for race season time.
Nitrons also have click adjustment which makes it very simple to track where you are - I haven’t tried ohlins but have been told that adjustment is infinite rather than clicks - so great if you’re a race team but probably more complicated for everyone else.
I have Nitrons on my lotus and spoke to the factory before buying (they’re happy to chat on the sales line). They emphasised their level of experience and R&D that they do for each model.
I’ve been happy with the product in terms of performance / use but also the practical stuff - supply / availability of someone to talk to etc.
am sure that David (life) has also done his homework on the stuff he supplies.
Nitrons also have click adjustment which makes it very simple to track where you are - I haven’t tried ohlins but have been told that adjustment is infinite rather than clicks - so great if you’re a race team but probably more complicated for everyone else.
I have Nitrons on my lotus and spoke to the factory before buying (they’re happy to chat on the sales line). They emphasised their level of experience and R&D that they do for each model.
I’ve been happy with the product in terms of performance / use but also the practical stuff - supply / availability of someone to talk to etc.
am sure that David (life) has also done his homework on the stuff he supplies.
Edited by five50 on Wednesday 3rd January 11:43
It's getting on for 20 years since I bought Ohlins for my Elise, but they adjusted with clicks. They were easy to adjust. At the time, these were considered a better option than Nitrons. They were wonderful - I knew they were money well spent within seconds of driving away from the workshop.
five50 said:
Ohlins are always considered sexy (mmm gold) but you run into issues with servicing - am not sure if there are many places that do this. I haven’t tracked it but last I discussed there was one place in the UK that kind of names their price - and good luck if you are at peak demand for race season time.
Nitrons also have click adjustment which makes it very simple to track where you are - I haven’t tried ohlins but have been told that adjustment is infinite rather than clicks - so great if you’re a race team but probably more complicated for everyone else.
I have Nitrons on my lotus and spoke to the factory before buying (they’re happy to chat on the sales line). They emphasised their level of experience and R&D that they do for each model.
I’ve been happy with the product in terms of performance / use but also the practical stuff - supply / availability of someone to talk to etc.
am sure that David (life) has also done his homework on the stuff he supplies.
I used Nitrons on a Caterham previously, serviced by Meteor Motorsport/RaceShocks, but the recommendation for 2 yearly (or annual for heavily tracked cars) becomes quickly tiresome and expensive. Of course you could not bother, but then why fit upgraded suspension at all?Nitrons also have click adjustment which makes it very simple to track where you are - I haven’t tried ohlins but have been told that adjustment is infinite rather than clicks - so great if you’re a race team but probably more complicated for everyone else.
I have Nitrons on my lotus and spoke to the factory before buying (they’re happy to chat on the sales line). They emphasised their level of experience and R&D that they do for each model.
I’ve been happy with the product in terms of performance / use but also the practical stuff - supply / availability of someone to talk to etc.
am sure that David (life) has also done his homework on the stuff he supplies.
Edited by five50 on Wednesday 3rd January 11:43
Having recently acquired an A110S which had only been bumbled about (to replace an S2 Exige - sore bum and fillings falling out) I was disappointed when I first took it on track in October. Nothing like the test drive I had 3 years earlier: significant understeer, prejudicing turn in on fast corners, washing out and unstable at high speed. Luckily there was another 110S owner there who suggested contacting Life 100. Through that I found Spires in Warwick who did a suspension alignment using the most sophisticated equipment, took less than an hour, and was reasonably priced.
Thought I have yet to go on track the handling was transformed even on public highways - much more precise. I strongly recommend you get this done first. (It was hinted that my test drive had been in a car set up by then - Alpine remains a customer.)
Where to go next? Not sure until I have been out on track again. Engine mapping for more power? No - it invalidates the warranty. Revised suspension? The arguments for asymmetric springs and coil over dampers make theoretical sense but they come at a cost - I'll need to speak to Spires again who have no vested interest in selling something they do not do themselves. I am assured that all options work also on public roads. Uprated brakes? Perhaps - they feels soft on circuit, but coming down from 150mph to 40 is a tall ask. Add a £1000 quid aerodynamic extension to the boot to plant the car at high speeds? But that will only increase drag.
I've just started on this with the twin needs of keeping it a more or less comfortable and the best I can make it on track. Any thoughts or help would be appreciated.
Thought I have yet to go on track the handling was transformed even on public highways - much more precise. I strongly recommend you get this done first. (It was hinted that my test drive had been in a car set up by then - Alpine remains a customer.)
Where to go next? Not sure until I have been out on track again. Engine mapping for more power? No - it invalidates the warranty. Revised suspension? The arguments for asymmetric springs and coil over dampers make theoretical sense but they come at a cost - I'll need to speak to Spires again who have no vested interest in selling something they do not do themselves. I am assured that all options work also on public roads. Uprated brakes? Perhaps - they feels soft on circuit, but coming down from 150mph to 40 is a tall ask. Add a £1000 quid aerodynamic extension to the boot to plant the car at high speeds? But that will only increase drag.
I've just started on this with the twin needs of keeping it a more or less comfortable and the best I can make it on track. Any thoughts or help would be appreciated.
I had the Life remap, variable rate springs and Bilstein dampers fitted and the track/fast road geo, made a great difference to the handling and at a reasonable price. Awaiting the fitting of braided brake pipes but unsure about the S arbs.
Great improvement for road and track without being too firm and jittery.
Great workmanship from Matt.
Great improvement for road and track without being too firm and jittery.
Great workmanship from Matt.
Ironass said:
Having recently acquired an A110S which had only been bumbled about (to replace an S2 Exige - sore bum and fillings falling out) I was disappointed when I first took it on track in October. Nothing like the test drive I had 3 years earlier: significant understeer, prejudicing turn in on fast corners, washing out and unstable at high speed. Luckily there was another 110S owner there who suggested contacting Life 100. Through that I found Spires in Warwick who did a suspension alignment using the most sophisticated equipment, took less than an hour, and was reasonably priced.
Thought I have yet to go on track the handling was transformed even on public highways - much more precise. I strongly recommend you get this done first. (It was hinted that my test drive had been in a car set up by then - Alpine remains a customer.)
Where to go next? Not sure until I have been out on track again. Engine mapping for more power? No - it invalidates the warranty. Revised suspension? The arguments for asymmetric springs and coil over dampers make theoretical sense but they come at a cost - I'll need to speak to Spires again who have no vested interest in selling something they do not do themselves. I am assured that all options work also on public roads. Uprated brakes? Perhaps - they feels soft on circuit, but coming down from 150mph to 40 is a tall ask. Add a £1000 quid aerodynamic extension to the boot to plant the car at high speeds? But that will only increase drag.
I've just started on this with the twin needs of keeping it a more or less comfortable and the best I can make it on track. Any thoughts or help would be appreciated.
I would say pretty straightforward subject to your personal thoughts on the latter two points, 'more or less comfortable' and 'best I can make it on track' are very personal in terms of what is an acceptable balance ?Thought I have yet to go on track the handling was transformed even on public highways - much more precise. I strongly recommend you get this done first. (It was hinted that my test drive had been in a car set up by then - Alpine remains a customer.)
Where to go next? Not sure until I have been out on track again. Engine mapping for more power? No - it invalidates the warranty. Revised suspension? The arguments for asymmetric springs and coil over dampers make theoretical sense but they come at a cost - I'll need to speak to Spires again who have no vested interest in selling something they do not do themselves. I am assured that all options work also on public roads. Uprated brakes? Perhaps - they feels soft on circuit, but coming down from 150mph to 40 is a tall ask. Add a £1000 quid aerodynamic extension to the boot to plant the car at high speeds? But that will only increase drag.
I've just started on this with the twin needs of keeping it a more or less comfortable and the best I can make it on track. Any thoughts or help would be appreciated.
Life110 will give you a all of the above, just explain to David how far you want to go.
- geo done and agreed a no-brainer from my experience
- you've got the S so no need for a re-map
- you've got the stiff ARB's so no need to change those
- brakes, albeit I have not done it yet upgraded pads, hoses and fluid seems a very easy improvement for low cost and no downside.
- springs and dampers, probably the toughest choice and one you can spend a few £ on, but I'm sure David would explain that you will see significant improvement (particularly damping quality) without too much sacrifice in road comfort. He does a road and track spec AST kit. If you are really keen on a dual-purpose car then the Tractive set up with semi active/adjustable valving may be a good option, not cheap and I think only one A110 done in the UK so far but they are gaining popularity in the industry and looks a very clever system. The stock OEM dampers are pretty cheap/basic so improvements are significant in this area.
- aero, I can't talk from experience but you'll still see big improvements without it, depends how serious you are about lap times as I see it ?
- wheels & tyres, ditto the above, not saying they don't make a difference but personally I'd do the other stuff first ?
neil-g8km6 said:
I had the Life remap, variable rate springs and Bilstein dampers fitted and the track/fast road geo, made a great difference to the handling and at a reasonable price. Awaiting the fitting of braided brake pipes but unsure about the S arbs.
Great improvement for road and track without being too firm and jittery.
Great workmanship from Matt.
Exactly the same here, pleased so far and likewise uncertain about the ARB's. Your thoughts on the map would be appreciated, I just can't help be nervous about any downsides however irrational I'm being !! Great improvement for road and track without being too firm and jittery.
Great workmanship from Matt.
I'm thinking of getting the Life110 geo settings done on my car via Spires. I have only heard positive feedback so far, and with no downsides. It would seem to make sense to also fit the Life110 titanium rear track rods whilst I'm at it. But are there other upgrades worth considering whilst I'm at Spires? I will at some stage probably get the 300 PS re-map but not at the moment.
I don't and will likely never track the car. I use the A110 (LGT) as a sporty GT for the occasional spirited drive and for road trips. Hence, whilst I appreciate good handling, the car will never be pushed to the edge - and I'm no Driving God anyway. So I prefer comfort and do not like hard suspension or high road / tyre noise. Hence, I figure investing in expensive suspension upgrades (or bigger / wider wheels) would be counter-productive and a waste of money. However, I am open to tweaks here and there which may improve handling but with no detriment to comfort. Given my preferences, are there any tweaks out there I should perhaps consider?
M.
https://life110.co.uk/collections/alpine-a110-tuni...
I don't and will likely never track the car. I use the A110 (LGT) as a sporty GT for the occasional spirited drive and for road trips. Hence, whilst I appreciate good handling, the car will never be pushed to the edge - and I'm no Driving God anyway. So I prefer comfort and do not like hard suspension or high road / tyre noise. Hence, I figure investing in expensive suspension upgrades (or bigger / wider wheels) would be counter-productive and a waste of money. However, I am open to tweaks here and there which may improve handling but with no detriment to comfort. Given my preferences, are there any tweaks out there I should perhaps consider?
M.
https://life110.co.uk/collections/alpine-a110-tuni...
Hi M,
I have had the geometry done by Spires and had the titanium rod ends at the same time, just thought it made sense. I don’t track my car either so I think the changes above will be Ok for you. But……if you use the paddles in manual definitely worth getting the Life110 paddles too!
Jonathan
I have had the geometry done by Spires and had the titanium rod ends at the same time, just thought it made sense. I don’t track my car either so I think the changes above will be Ok for you. But……if you use the paddles in manual definitely worth getting the Life110 paddles too!
Jonathan
Geo & paddles an absolute must !!
Bigger wheels and tyres not necessary.
Upgraded suspension doesn't necessarily come at the cost of a loss in refinement or comfort, Life100 will provide you with a set up to suit road use, the most significant improvement being way better quality damping.
Bigger wheels and tyres not necessary.
Upgraded suspension doesn't necessarily come at the cost of a loss in refinement or comfort, Life100 will provide you with a set up to suit road use, the most significant improvement being way better quality damping.
Meonstoke said:
I'm thinking of getting the Life110 geo settings done on my car via Spires. I have only heard positive feedback so far, and with no downsides. It would seem to make sense to also fit the Life110 titanium rear track rods whilst I'm at it. But are there other upgrades worth considering whilst I'm at Spires? I will at some stage probably get the 300 PS re-map but not at the moment.
I don't and will likely never track the car. I use the A110 (LGT) as a sporty GT for the occasional spirited drive and for road trips. Hence, whilst I appreciate good handling, the car will never be pushed to the edge - and I'm no Driving God anyway. So I prefer comfort and do not like hard suspension or high road / tyre noise. Hence, I figure investing in expensive suspension upgrades (or bigger / wider wheels) would be counter-productive and a waste of money. However, I am open to tweaks here and there which may improve handling but with no detriment to comfort. Given my preferences, are there any tweaks out there I should perhaps consider?
M.
https://life110.co.uk/collections/alpine-a110-tuni...
Spires might be ideal for fitting coilovers, etc, simply because there's a lot of Alpine-specific stuff to remove and they do it all day every day. But for the geo you can use a good quality local place. I used TVR101 in East Hampshire, they have plenty of various GT racing history, so they treat geo settings very carefully. I don't and will likely never track the car. I use the A110 (LGT) as a sporty GT for the occasional spirited drive and for road trips. Hence, whilst I appreciate good handling, the car will never be pushed to the edge - and I'm no Driving God anyway. So I prefer comfort and do not like hard suspension or high road / tyre noise. Hence, I figure investing in expensive suspension upgrades (or bigger / wider wheels) would be counter-productive and a waste of money. However, I am open to tweaks here and there which may improve handling but with no detriment to comfort. Given my preferences, are there any tweaks out there I should perhaps consider?
M.
https://life110.co.uk/collections/alpine-a110-tuni...
The fast road settings have added significant directness and feel into the steering, I can highly recommend it.
I have a 2021 A110S with life 110 springs and life110 fast road geo. Its totally fine.
You are aware of the road surface but it is not transmitted to you in an inmpactful way. Have had some badly riding cars - 2007 BMW 335d on runflats for instance (back in the day) - going over a catseye was like being punched in the face.
Also had a Porsche Boxster on Sport suspension - driving across London was like getting punched in the ribs.
The Alpine is nothing like that - its totally fine. The Mrs wouldnt have a clue that it has modified suspension from the ride quality.
You are aware of the road surface but it is not transmitted to you in an inmpactful way. Have had some badly riding cars - 2007 BMW 335d on runflats for instance (back in the day) - going over a catseye was like being punched in the face.
Also had a Porsche Boxster on Sport suspension - driving across London was like getting punched in the ribs.
The Alpine is nothing like that - its totally fine. The Mrs wouldnt have a clue that it has modified suspension from the ride quality.
Edited by five50 on Saturday 17th February 17:35
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