Heinz: As you know I have had some particular problems with suspension because of the lower profile tyres fitted to the Plus 4 that gave me too low a ground clearance. My springs front and rear have been replaced to try to resolve this problem. I now have heavier front springs and the older 5 leaf springs at the rear. Ground clearance problem resolved but at the expense of a harder ride. For this reason I was particularly attracted to the idea of fitting the new rising rate front suspension (which in addition to giving a better ride has adjustable ride height) and I have had several discussions and some correspondence with the designer of the system. I have the adjustable GAZ dampers front and back, the same as fitted to the Plus 4 SS, and they give good results but I am now convinced that they can never be as good as a specifically tuned system which can give entirely different characteristics.

I have ordered a set of the rising rate springs which, as mentioned above, come with the Bilstein dampers. Sooner or latter I will again replace the rear springs with a set of good quality 4 leaf springs, which do give a less rigid ride than the 5 leaf, and at that time I will probably fit a set of Bilsteins to the rear in order to have a matched set of dampers all round.

My understanding is that the adjustable dampers give a linear rate of damping whereas well designed non adjustable dampers can have a rising rate of damping that varies with the velocity and amplitude of the defection.

It is quite possible that my non-professional comprehension of the concept is wrong and, if so, I am sure there is someone who can better comment on this.

Peter

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