P6 3500: Which shocks/dampers are best? - What do other V8 P6 owners recommend?

mrtask

mrtask

Well-Known Member
Which shock absorbers are the best for my '72 3500? Koni are out of the question unless we can arrange an enormous group purchase, and that isn't going to happen. Spax tell me they only make shocks for the rear (a shame because Spax have a TÜV seal, which would make my life easier when I get as far as applying for my 'Historic' licence plates here in Germany). AVO list front and rear on their website, they're black these days too which I prefer to bright colours (Spax are bright yellow), having previously been available only in bright red. AVO are gas (not oil) filled, and are adjustable on-the-car with approx. 20 'clicks' from 'stiff' to 'soft'. Surprisingly they're cheaper than the blue 'original' Leyland items available from one of the more helpful P6 parts suppliers. I'll be fitting new ball joints and poly bushes all round. I'd like a comfortable but firm and responsive ride. What do other forum users recommend?
Furthermore, who can custom-make me a set of uprated and shorter springs? For sensible money. Any helpful advice most welcome.
 
Are there restrictions on use with the "german "historic" plates? I had that choice in Belgium, but went for the "normal" useage plates. The car had no problems going through the standard "MOT". I still pay very low tax based on age and the insurance is low as well (as not the main use car).

The only advantage to a "historic" plate for me was the lack of pollution tests. However the car passed those anyway - that small advantage was more than offset by not being allowed to be more than 50kms from the "home address" and not being allowed to take the car out of the country and so on.- Hence the "normal" licence plates.
 
"Not being allowed further than 50 km from home"! Crikey! Ridiculous beurocracy. I sincerely hope that seemingly stupidly prohibitive law doesn't apply here in Germany! I'm not certain what the new laws governing 'Historic'-licensed classic cars stipulate, but as far as I am aware, as of last Tuesday one can no longer drive in German inner cities in the newly-designated 'clean air zones' without a modern catalytic converter-equipped exhaust system and corresponding certificate. There is however an exemption for 'Historic'-licensed classic cars, but the car must comply with strict tests concerning 'originality'. To which end I hope to fit parts which the examiner will pass as compliant. Therefore anything with a TÜV symbol will make life easier.
Zebedee, what shocks are you using in your estate? Messrs. York, Engelsman etc. please pipe up, I welcome all advice! Thanks in advance.
 
At the rear I have Spax adjustable shocks - at the front ones that came with the car - totally encrusted with underseal and road grime and rust!!. As long as they pass the suspension test each year Im leaving them! I did however get recently some origina Unipart front shocks for the P6 which Im keeping in stock till neeeded.
 
The other alternative solution is to use Rover Heavy Duty / Police Spec shocks. I believe Ian (Rover-Classics) has some of these at the moment.

Can't comment yet on which I like - I have Heavy Duty, Koni Classic and Spax adjustables in stock at the moment to choose from, but of course neither of mine are yet on the road.

Both Ian and Alan Ramsbottom should be able to quote you for Road Springs. Alan will have a better knowledge of how to depart from standard. If you know coil numbers poundage and free length you want you could go direct to any spring manufacturer - I know Ian uses one in Sheffield but there are lots around including, no doubt, in Berlin. I'm personally very shifty of lowering the car - you lose out on suspension travel which is very important for normal road use. Alan reckons the P6 rides completely acceptably at up to +50% poundage, but that sounds a bit stiff for my liking. My Thai car is +25 and the English car +35. On a purist note I'm not overly keen in principle on the variable rate rears that are available. To get a truly satisfactory result needs a very comprehensive knowledge of the suspension design or a lot of trial and error and I'm not fully convinced that that level of knowledge has gone into their specification.

Chris
 
I'm not a big fan of Spax shocks, I guess it depends on application, but I had a full set on a Chevette and even at the softest setting they were rock hard. Also they rusted rather quickly. They are however one of the cheapest brands, so I guess you get what you pay for.
 
AVO produce the best shocks. They are easily adjusted and can be built to any specification, eg for racing, and can have coil over springs inserted for extra stiffness if required (we all need a bit of extra stiffness at times :;): )
Only downside is they are damn expensive, but they are servicable so if they break, you can rebuild them.
MONROE make OK shocks for the back but right now I am having trouble getting fronts in any brand. The common reaction when told the car is a Rover is to assume it is a RANGE/LAND Rover. Anyone here in Australia know where I can find some front shocks without getting a new set of AVOs? ???

Cheers

GUY :D
 
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