Suspension and flat spot

[Dave Cyrus]

Hi everyone. So I've finally got my 200 and it certainly needs a few bits doing. I can deal with that, but need to know my best plan of attack. The 2.5k flat spot sucks. Is there a way to combat this, and if so then how?
Next - the suspension has been lowered by previous owner. I know nothing about mechanics so not sure if it's been don't properly etc or if it's just been chopped down but the ride is awful due to it. Getting thrown all over the road with any kinda uneven surface, causing my foot in the throttle to jump which results in me kangarooing everywhere. So any advice on this would be great too.
Please speak in idiots terms as I am after all, an idiot. Besides that - wow they're quick

 

[Sean197]

Flat spot - having the ecu remapped is the only way to get rid of it. RS Tuning in Leeds would appear to be the closest to you and are highly recommended by many, me included.
Harsh ride - could be the springs and shocks are mismatched, highly unlikely the springs have been cut. You'd need to see what colour the springs are to see if they're aftermarket and which brand.

 

[Pav]

as above..thanks Sean

 

[Dave Cyrus]

Thanks guys. Not too sure why, but from my initial viewing and inspection etc - I'm really disheartened with it at the moment. Not sure what I expected tbh. my own fault for rushing in though lol. Right now though I just feel like selling

 

[Sean197]

They take a little while to get used to, especially the lack of low down grunt, but a remap works wonders. As for the suspension, it sounds like you may have h&r springs which some have found harsh. You could easily sell them on for £100ish and fit standard or something less harsh like eibachs.

 

[Dave Cyrus]

They take a little while to get used to, especially the lack of low down grunt, but a remap works wonders. As for the suspension, it sounds like you may have h&r springs which some have found harsh. You could easily sell them on for £100ish and fit standard or something less harsh like eibachs.

Any idea how much a remap costs? It's horrible kangarooing all the time. Feel like a learner driver again when in reality it's a combination of the harsh ride throwing my acceleration foot around and flat spot where there's just no power.
How easy is it to get hold of standard suspension and what would a garage charge?
And lastly, if all else fails, how much do you think I'd sell it on as for a very quick sale? Not bothered about getting what I paid for. Just out of curiosity

 

[Sean197]

Any idea how much a remap costs? It's horrible kangarooing all the time. Feel like a learner driver again when in reality it's a combination of the harsh ride throwing my acceleration foot around and flat spot where there's just no power.
How easy is it to get hold of standard suspension and what would a garage charge?
And lastly, if all else fails, how much do you think I'd sell it on as for a very quick sale? Not bothered about getting what I paid for. Just out of curiosity

Around £350 from rs tuning I think. Also remember they run a cold ecu map as standard, which limits power until the engine is warm. If you let it warm up for a few minutes before driving the kangarooing is lessened.
Full suspension change is around 2 hours labour. Keep an eye in the For Sale section in here, or stick up a Wanted thread.
No idea on price I'm afraid.

 

[Dave Cyrus]

Not what I had planned after spending 5 grand though. Probably suits someone else perfectly but for me I'm just not sure. Looking on eBay and auto trader - can't see 200s going for under 4500 without being cat d or cat c so may get most of my money back rather fast if that's the route I take. Thanks for the help lads

 

[john_walker74]

I have a pair of cup rear springs if you go that way. All I'd want is postage, but the trouble will be getting the front springs as they often snap so quite rare used.

 

[nickisokay]

Feel sorry for you! Hopefully the more you drive it the more you'll like it... seems a waste to 'give up' so soon!

 

[Jimmy]

Such a shame that you haven't gelled with the car, Dave. They are cracking little motors, however I can understand you not enjoying it with the issues you've had - we either learn to love them for their quirks, or it drives us mad! Hopefully you'll change your mind, but if your heart's not in it then sometimes you have to make a call.

 

[wattson]

Hi there,

I bought my first 200 a few weeks ago and wasn't very impressed at the beginning but the more I drive it, the better it gets.

I'd say give it a couple of thousand miles before putting up for sale, quite possible that you'll begin to like the car by then! You won't be kangarooing around once you get used to the engine and gearbox anyway.

Mine has the stock cup suspension and it's really, really firm. Aftermarket springs must be even firmer so reverting back to stock should improve the ride quality.

 

[Marsch]

I know about that kangarooing or bunny hopping as we call it as I'm driving the Cup suspension with H&R springs. It's something one has to deal with. I know it may look arkward from outside but who gives a fart about that? Most roads aren't that bad that it's much of an issue. If it happens just take the foot of the pedal an let it roll.

If the hopping happens shortly after start-up it's a different issue as Sean has already mentioned (cold start). Just let it idle for about a minute and let the RPMs settle down first.

 

[Matt Scarbro]

I don't think I can help too much, but since buying mine I've found a number of problems that have cost time and money to sort out properly.

I'm doing everything properly though and even though it's costing more than I had expected initially, I know it will be worth it.

They really are cracking cars to drive, they just feel special.

 

[Doogle]

Its worth checking the dampers too, if its got Cup dampers itll be hard. Even just replacing these with some new standard 200 dampers would help. Any car thats done over 80k without a damper change will have knackered dampers, even if they are not leaking. This will add to the harsh crashy feeling. Check tyres pressures, mine with Michelin PS3's seems to be comfortable at 29psi back and 30psi front without being under or over inflated. Some people swear 33-34 psi all round which will give a harsher ride. On the kangarooing, when starting up leave it literally a minute or two. The revs will drop and it'll be easier to drive. As above, a remap will sort it and the flatspot.