Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Plus Four, Supersport & Plus Six (CX & CXV Generation Vehicles) Plus Fours suspension

May have been asked before, but has anyone got information on a suspension upgrade for the Plus Four? I note Lebrands do coilover shocks for the Plus Six. I find the suspension of my Plus Four bouncy (as it is light) and it crashes a bit over potholes & bumps. I suppose any upgrade would invalidate the warranty.

Suggest contacting SSL Derek. They have suspension upgrades for all Morgan's. They are not supply agents but actually develop the upgrades themselves based on qualification and experience.

bro, you bought a Moggie
I would be petrified if it didn't bounce around

damn, that feeling of the rear axle jumping out of the Kleine Caroussel on the Nordschleiffe, damn, I felt like a real racing driver

Librands don't actually manufacture suspension upgrades, as Richard suggests talk to SSL

I am taking to Peter at SSL and though nothing is manufactured for Plus Four, he is on the case.

I asked my dealer about this, as I saw the Plus Six upgrade and I agree with the OP that the Plus Four suspension is too hard, to the point that it is detrimental to handling when driven on anything other than a smooth road (just my opinion).
I was told that they had met with SSL and they thought MMC had done a good job with the Plus Four and couldn’t really improve on it.

I'm amazed Adrian. Mine is comfortable and holds the road very well even on bumpy roads.

While Dan and Peter at SSL initially said that they did not think that the Plus Four suspension could be improved, my guess is that now that the cars have been on the road for a period faults are starting to emerge.

They went out of their ways to produce coil over damper units with adjustable spring platforms for our Plus Six Morgans - nothing was too much trouble! Now we have cars with great handling qualities. So get in touch with them directly at SSL.
Kerry

I have taken a Plus Four round track and agree, the roadholding is great. But for me personally the ride is not; it is too firm and crashes over bumps. Each to his own. For me, this is not a 'sports car', it is a 'gentleman's roadster'.

I think a lot depends on how new the car and particularly damping is. I was lucky enough to test drive a virtually new Plus Four and a several month old demonstrator Plus Six back to back. The wider tyres of Plus Six immediately gave the impression of heavier well planted car although steering was still light, however comparing both over a particularly bad pothole (not difficult to find) the newer Plus Four took it silently whilst the Plus Six crashed a little over same. Could have been the lesser tyre sidewalls contributing of course.

The SSL solution will likely be dual rate coil overs to give softer initial ride together with adjustable damping and maybe improvements to anti-roll on the front at least to compensate. This is where the Classic's sliding axle rebound spring scores providing built in anti-roll.

Errrr; someone didn’t get the memo???
https://www.amazon.com/Morgan-First-Last-Real-Sports/dp/0856140139

I see dales_plus_four is taking his Plus Four to Morgan for the suspension upgrade - can't find any info on it though - anyone else know anything?

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9JynTzowEK/?igsh=MWZlOTY0OHViajRodA==

Does anyone else think this when they see the topic title or do I need therapy?

No, it is impossible to find. The only thing I know is that the last PlusFours can be ordered with a handeling pack, with Nitro dampers and a rear anti-roll bar. But nothing heard of seen about something to be retrofitted.

That's a long link for a photo hosted on TM-IMG!
And no, I agree with your comment, however there's many persons who do not understand the apostrophe and how it is applied.

Back on topic.... dales_plus_four gave a (very)short reply to check the MorganWorks feed. I did and they refer to Plus Line improvements but any link they provided lead nowhere. So none the wiser. You can find Plus Line on the Morgan site but it refers to the new-new Plus Four cars (2024 on I think) and doesn't mention older CX-models. Happy to be corrected.

If anyone else finds anything please share it here

I would assume the new redesign Plus Four uses the same "platform" chassis assembly as its earlier model years, so maybe its a case of the new suspension being retro fitted to the older model year as Ruut says??

Have the Nitron Dampers fitted at the factory aftermarket.

This is correct. You can't however fit the anti roll bar as the rear subframe is different to accommodate it.

A friend has just had a dealer quote of £3600 to supply and fit the new Nitron suspension (don't know if it includes the anti-roll bar) per the factory option for new P4 cars. Sounds expensive but may be worth it.

Personally, I would want to drive mine then a new one back-to-back on the same test route before making that sort of commitment.

It may be worthwhile if intending to stick with the existing car for a good few years, similarly the Crazy Horse stage 3 tune. Probably better value for money that changing the car and suffering further significant asset depreciation.

So 2990 GBP by Williams, I think (hope) the anti-roll bar is included in that price.......

Hi Ruut,
where did the photo with the offer for the upgrade from Williems come from?

Miscellany MSCC Magazine

I was told by Dan at Morgan that the ARB could only be fitted to the latest model due to chassis changes. Only the shocks/springs can be upgraded to the Nitrons on the earlier Plus Fours.

That makes it even less attractive. As an option from the factory incl ARB it is around 2000 GBP. So this 3000 GBP is very stiff. It means that the PlusFour from Spencer Bentley (Dales_Plus_Four), who is very positive about his upgrade, also doesn't has the ARB......! Let's ask him. I will post something on Instagram, what is pref his medium!

Good idea Ruut and do let us know his opinion. I still think it would be worth doing even without the ARB - the standard shocks are not the best and the Nitrons could potentially transform the car for those who like to press on. That and a remap would be pretty handy I reckon.

I posted the question for him on Insta, and will let you know if I have an answer!

Just read Miscellany and the Williams advert is interesting - 8’ wide wheels feel the arch!!

Just curious:
1) Where will I be able to buy 8’ wide tyres?
2) Is feeling the arch quite legal in 2024?

typo? “Filling the arch” maybe?

They also talk of a Plus four ECU reflash but in reality don't have a product yet.

No reply from Spencer AKA Dales_Plus_Four regarding the ARB yet! I'll keep trying.

I was wrong, have to say sorry to Spencer, but he did reply on my Insta question yesterday, I couldn't find it. Today he reposted his answer. The antiroll bar cannot be retrofitted. The upgrade consists of the Nitro dampers, other coilsprings and another set-up! It's a stiff price, but can be worth it. They can adjust the ride height, I think I like it! Thinking.........

Here is the answer from Spencer Bentley, copied from Insta, with his permission:

" dales_plus_four 3u • Auteur @rutgertbianchi and they really do make all the difference. I am struggling to covey just how essential this upgrade is if you like driving. It's night and day. The more I drive it the more convinced I am that this is what Morgan wants the car to drive like but was reluctant to factor it into the base price lest people be put off by the higher cost. In my view, the upgrade is essential and in 3 years time selling a used Morgan without the upgrade will be a challenge. As word gets out and people feel the difference no one will buy one used without it, and if they do they'll have to factor in the price of the upgrade. The car both needs and deserves this improved suspension.

dales_plus_four 3u • Auteur @rutgertbianchi feel free to copy and paste my reflection to the TalkMorgan crew if you'd like. If it would help any of them. "

Hi Ruut,

thank you for your information about this upgrade.
What I didn't understand, is the upgrade only available from Williams or can all MMC dealers offer it.

I haven't driven a Plus Four yet. I don't know if the original suspension would be enough for me. However, I have done a lot of fine-tuning so that I really like the suspension of my 4/4. It was rather the other way around with the later 4/4s, which were much too soft and bottomed out. I don't want to compare apples and oranges.
But I am surprised that a relatively expensive car like a Plus Four doesn't get decent suspension from the outset. Sorry, with any other brand, this is seen as a core element of driving pleasure. Of course, there are people who tinker with every car of every brand, but often unnecessarily. Imagine a Porsche or even an MX5 with such unpleasant suspension that the owner has to find an expensive remedy immediately. In my opinion, MMC is saving in the wrong place with the Plus Four when it seems that so many of you are looking for an improvement.

Hi Clemens,

I really don't know, was planning to ask Louwman in Holland, which is my dealer. I assume they all can do it. In Germany I suspect MorganPark should do it, as they are very active in offering several upgrades, more than other dealers.

If it's width, then yes you can fill the arch, you cannot protrude beyond

However we've all seen those pimped 4X4's and builders Ford 'trophy' pickup trucks running naughty widths and never seem to get pulled

I have 26000 km on my plus four . I find the suspension very confortable and enough for a normal driving style . I have to be carefull when passing over a speed bump. I have made a drifting course with an racing pilot as instructor . He doesnt complained about the suspension. I dont think that adding more options will increase the value of the car to be sold or not . The regular customer doesnt look at that.
I had avo rutherford and a sport exhaust on my 4/4 sport . She was sold the same price as without but the cost of the sport exhaust was 2500 euros .A plus four from 2020 could be sold 85000 , 90000 euros in Belgium , a new plus four is 120000 euros . For the price difference you could tune as you like a 2020 plus four and it will be less expensive than buying a new one.

Hi Clemens, Louwman says they do the upgrade, they will give me an offer next week, I'll keep you updated!

There have been some good write ups on the CX owners bulletin board on the MSCC website. It will be interesting to get your views.

Greetings all, I’ve seen a few posts and had some questions from forum members about the upgrade. I shared over on the car club forum and will paste here as well should you be interested in my reflections. My car is a late 22 Plus Four.

I’ll copy and paste some of my reflections from various instagram posts on the new suspension since I got mine.

“First impressions of the new @nitron_suspension on the Plus Four is that it is an essential upgrade for existing Plus Fours and required option if speccing new.

I never minded the old set up and often really liked it, but there was a certain wallow and lack of predictability to it, particularly over the ruts and bumps which make up a large portion British roads.

I’ve not had a real chance to push or play with the new set up as it was bucketing rain the whole 180 miles back from the factory, but over familiar roads around the house, the ones that always make me cringe a bit as I shudder over them, the car felt so planted, composed, and put together. The CX platform is vastly impressive and I suspect it was somewhat underserved by the old set up. No longer.

There is some lovely calibrated body roll in the corners that feels predictable, and measured. Very excited to lean into it a bit more soon.

There is also a tautness without a tightness. They really deliver a more sporting and purposeful feel without any of the harshness one might worry about with a more driver focused set up.

There is also room to calibrate them further, but I think I’ll hold off on that till I’ve got a better sense of how they run up here along the b roads.

Like I mentioned at the top, the difference is significant. I don’t know what the standard set up on the Six I’ve had is, but going from that into the newly set up Four, the Four felt more driver focused. Six is still wildly powerful and planted, but there seems to be an intentionality to the new set up on the Four that just makes it feel more like decisions are being made about how the car will feel as opposed to inherited by the components on hand.

Obviously more to come though as I spend more time with it on some of my familiar and favourite drives up here.”


…

“ Plus Six vs. Plus Four reflection:

Their are, I’m sure, applications where the Six would be the more desirable car, but I think at the present moment (apply all caveats and in my humble opinions here) the Four is the better drivers car.

The Six impresses with sound and fury. It has a striking and assertive presence. It is a muscle car in fancy British dress.

But the Four has more to offer, more to play with, more to engage you in its drive. The smaller engine means more engine engagement more of the time. The smaller wheels and bigger sidewall mean more play on the road The smaller footprint means there’s more road with which to play. The Four, I think, accomplishes more of what it means to be a Morgan. More of what it means to be a sports car.

Driving the Four today with a little more push I found myself literally saying, “Wow” a number of times. No, it’s not the rocket that the Six is, but then if you want a rocket there are any number of EV’s out there that will launch you at literal rocket speeds. In my view cars are for driving, and right now the Four is the drivers’ car.

Again, that’s not to say there are not applications for the Six, but I’m just not convinced it’s the drivers car that the Four is.

Of course a notable caveat here is that my Four now has the factory installed @nitron_suspension upgrade. Which shouldn’t really be an option for anyone now getting a Morgan. The more time I’ve spent with the new set up the more convinced I am that it should simply be standard. It really needs to be considered an essential upgrade. Excluding the new suspension set up it’s a toss up between the Four and Six I think. But going forward there really shouldn’t be any Fours being specced without this ‘option’.

All that said, mine is not the final word and @morganmotor is always working on the next iteration and development. I suppose at a basic level, whatever Morgan you have or are considering, it should be a comfort and encouragement to all of us that the company is moving convincingly in the right direction. This new suspension upgrade on the Four is a testament to that drive and I for one cannot wait to see what they come out with next!”

…



“ Further suspension reflections.

Was driving home in the dark from a meeting earlier this week and the roads were empty. It was a lovely drive but I wasn’t pushing it by any stretch.

When you know a car and know a road you have a feel for how the two interact and are usually pretty familiar with what a given speed feels like. I was watching the road and not my speed but was fairly confident based on experience and feel in the car that I was right around or even a bit below the 60mph limit. Well, my eyes happened to slip down at my speedometer and, I’ll be honest, I had to really hit the brakes.

The way the new @nitron_suspension affects the car is staggering. The confidence, body solidity, wheel rebound, and as a result road holding and overall driving feel are so improved I’m going to have to relearn what the cars normal now is.

I kid you not here, as I finished the drive my first thought was something was wrong. I convinced myself that the speedometer must be off as there was no way the new suspension set up could make this much of a difference. I watched my speed the whole way home and genuinely wondered if the car would have to go back to Morgan to have the speedo recalibrated. In the dark without the exterior context cues you’ve got a much clearer sense of the sound and feel of the car for speed.

I drove at the limit or below the rest of the way home and I just couldn’t shake how relaxed and effortless the drive was compared to the shudder and wallow before. With the new dampeners and setup, it’s so seismically improved it really does deliver speed like a different car. A much better car. The car I suspect @morganmotor wants to be making and is making for those specifying this option (which really should not be an option).

I’ve seen a few responses in forums and in comments from people who don’t think the upgrade is necessary. Completely their right to think so, but I suspect they don’t know what they are missing. A car is attached to the ground at four points. Those wheels are attached to the car through the suspension. The suspension that is coming standard was, I am convinced, not designed for or by Morgan. The new one is.”

Thank you 👍

I have mine booked-in for the Nitron suspension upgrade. The additional power from the tune really highlights the handling as a limitation so I’m hoping this will sort it. Brakes next :-)

Dave I would love to get feedback on how it goes. I planned to upgrade after the ecu upgrade as I felt the wrp4 showed the need.

Making a Malvern mini-break of it from 3-5 Nov with the Memsahib and the hound. Doing a Factory Tour courtesy of Krazy Horse while we are there as well. Will certainly report back.

Thanks for the info Spencer.
Now we know what to do again.

Stefan

Just got back from a nice couple of days in Malvern. We did a factory tour, ate far too much in the cafe and spent far too much in the shop LOL!!



We drove up from Exeter entirely on A and B-roads, so the occasional bone-shaker experience on some surfaces was fresh in my mind when I picked the car up with the Nitron suspension newly fitted the next day. The difference was immediately obvious even on the 5 minute pootle from Pickersleigh Road back to our hotel in the town to collect our luggage. The drive home was a revelation … finally the car behaves as it really should with the modern bonded aluminium chassis. Highly recommended. It is exactly as @DalesPlusFour described in detail above.

I find it a bit perturbing that the high price of new CX Mogs still need 'upgrading' with better handling packs

Granted it was a bit of a must do with Trads, but CX's, really !

Unfortunately, I was refused an offer for the Nitron upgrade by my German dealer

Clemens, try SSL https://www.suspensionsupplies.co.uk/morgan

Jon, as I understand SSL, there is only one solution for the PlusSix but not for the PlusFour.

SSL claim suspension upgrades for all Morgan's.

As yet they have not done an upgrade for the Plus Four but I believe it could be on the cards judging by comments on the MSCC CX Forum posts.

They are devloping the P4 Richard. It isn't on sale yet.

I met Dan & Peter last weekend and we chatted about lots of stuff including the highly overpriced Nitron dampers

Lets just say they haven't lots of spare time to update the website, BUT it is definitely worth contacting them as even one-offs can be made

Thanks Jon... that is helpful information 👍

Does a MY23 Plus Six need upgraded suspension, or had MMC learned from feedback and implemented changes by then? I feel I should know, but I don't want to go down a rabbit hole without some basic information. Thanks.

It's a personal thing I would imagine HH and very dependant on your driving style and needs. Some are willing to pay for marginal gains. In most cases though SSL upgrades provide noticeable gains from the instant you set out with new kit, the oft repeated comment being "this is how the car should have handled".

SSL being suspension specialists are quick to identify shortcomings in our cars and offer solutions. Suggest you speak to either Peter or Dan.

Just a happy customer BTW.

I have a 2024 Plus Six and have had the SSL suspension upgrade fitted and it still transforms the car.

Thanks Richard & Ian. Something for me to save up for!

I can't make any comment about the CX PlusFour but I am a fan of Peter and Dan's work. It certainly improved my trad Plus Four.

The thing I do find interesting is the number of different comments about the CX PlusFour suspension. It almost seems that there is no consistency to what is fitted at the factory. In my case, in 2012, what was fitted was a mess.
The car suffered from day one from the horrible sagging rear springs. I should not have accepted delivery (I was at the factory) and back in Italy they were eventually changed under warranty for the older 5 leaf springs, but that made the rear very hard. The front springs turned out to be Roadster springs and they too were changed under warranty, but were still not satisfactory.

In the end I got to know Peter Ballard and was a fairly early adopter of the improved front suspension system and, as soon as it was available, the rear 5 link suspension. Within the obvious limits of the trad chassis they both work well.

I would describe the suspension of my PlusFour as good to very good.
I think most owner of a PlusFour ask themselves whether it could be improved a little bit ... and if so the price is worth it.

The car is flat floored by shims. My understanding is mmc don't do this the dealers do at pdi. When Krazy Horse checked mine it hadn't been done and the difference was very noticeable

What is involved in 'flat flooring' - and what is the objective? Is it similar to tracking, but in a vertical plane? thanks

It is 4 wheel tracking & getting the chassis level. KH told me £300 or less depending upon how far off the car is.

Or indeed how far out the car is......:)

I had a brief email exchange with Dan, and plan to drop in to SSL for a chat next time I'm in Chesterfield (we love the Peak District and base ourselves in Chesterfield when visiting). I don't think I will touch the suspension until after the warranty has expired, which is October 2025, but Dan did say when I asked whether it was worth changing on a MY23 Plus Six:

"Whilst some changes have been made, there are some fundamental approaches to suspension set up which have remained the same and which we have addressed.

As our system involves only the suspension units themselves and the drop links, it is not a ridiculously expensive change. And, can be fitted by a competent amateur mechanic.

Retailing at £1720.00+VAT Although we always recommend a dealer does the fit.

Most UK Morgan dealers now have experience.

Please feel free to contact us at any time."

I don't mind tinkering within my competence, but as this is a safety issue, I would always leave this to the experts.

Well, the Nitrons you can certainly not do by yourself. My dealer did need more than a day, complete wheel alignment with camber and caster adjustment.They also installed a Pinnacle fuel cap to replace the fiddly original one, see below!

Ruut, looks fabulous! I am very curious how the suspension upgrade works out for you. The le mans style petrol fuel cap looks great.
Cheers,
Bert

There seems to be some storage space below the fuel filler cap.

Perhaps that's why the fuel tank capacity on CX's is so low

Fortunately the BMW-engines have a very low fuel consumption, so the range is still acceptable. A view liter more however was a bit more convenient! But coming from a 4/4-seater with the small fuel tank a moderate fuel consumption, the PlusFour means also progress in range.

Thanks, Bert!

Re the filler cap. Mine was a b###h to get off and replace. The dealer sorted it by a small filing away of a corner. It's now perfect.
As for the space beneath the filler cap, on my Plus Four you can't get at it. I have the spare wheel and the void beneath it is sealed off with a plastic panel. I had to remove this to access the wiring for the ". Cobra's head "high brake light wiring to mod it for a removable extension to fit onto a case on the rack. It was a tight fit and a fiddle.
In theory an access hatch could be made and that would help access or a tank extension to increase capacity.
The rule of thumb guide is to refuel at about 250 miles as there is still a safety volume in the tank. I've been told 70 miles when the warning light comes on but my guess is that's too close! I've done 290 miles and the gauge ( when steady on level-ish ground) was on empty. No coughs/splutters from the engine. I believe the Plus Six is similar. Long run? Brim the tank. Gauge only starts to drop after about 100 miles then a steady drop.Warning light
It is a bit like being in an EV with range monitoring/anxiety but easier refuelling!.

You're completely right. My consumption is about 1 litre per 17 kilometers. In September recently (made some photographs) I can see I managed 504,2 km with a calculated consumption of 17,567 liters pro km after filling up. (=41,4 mpg) At that point the warningt light is lit for more than 50 km. I mostly refuel somewhere between 400-450 km. Maybe it helps I've an EV too......!

Regarding the space, yes, I have that plastic panel under my spare wheel too. My Morgan is equipped with the "lockable space" in the rear board, just enough for some paperwork, and two safety vests. Not really worth the money...!
So you have to adept, but we are experienced Morgan travellers...!!

I collected the PlusFour with the Nitron upgrade (and the Pinnacle Fuel filler cap) last week. First drive home was mainly over the motorway and some B roads.Yesterday I took her for a spin through the Limburg hills, and yes, I can say something about the effect. Leaving the dealer I instantly noticed a different steering feel. Hard to describe, feels as more direct, but that's literal not possible. So we call it more precise, has something to do with the different setup. On the Motorway the Morgan was more calm, better damped after humps. On the little roads, and I did experience that yesterday when I had even some hairpins on my way, the Morgan feels much better planted, more precise handling and a more balanced, better damped body. I didn't hit any sleeping policeman underway, which was always a challenge before. So, with this relatively short period of experience, I feel very pleased with this new set-up. is it worth the price? That's for anyone to decide. The Morgan certainly wasn't bad before, imagine I came from a 1990 4/4! (which I still have and I can tell the difference, 4/4 with Koni's all-around!). I feel very lucky with it. The bonus is the Pinnacle cap too, which is a piece of art and so easy to use! Should be standard!

Good news then Ruut. I do love that filler cap

I'm pleased for you Ruut that you are happy with the Nitron update. I'm still thinking about taking the same step. However, my dealer has turned me down for this update.
I'm really looking forward to the test drive with your PlusFour in June. If it's positive, I'll find a solution.

Thanks for the great photos👍😎

My dealer told me to change the rear axle support and the arms to mount the stabilizer bar. The price was stratospheric!!

The stabilizer bar is left out in the regular Nitron upgrade, with nevertheless a huge improvement. Indeed, if you should do that the prize becomes enormous. The dampers, settings etc represent already enough money with min 10 hours labor alone for that!

Also thinking about the nitron upgrade for my MY22 PlusFour. Lots of positive comments inc from a Ruut and Spencer, but has any CX owner had the upgrade and thought it wasn’t a success or not a good decision. Any regrets or negatives (other than cost)?