I have to haul around a lot of stuff all week so I was looking into what I could do to keep my car level. Someone told me these wagons came with a system called Nivomat. What can anyone tell me about this? What is it, how can I tell if my car has it, how does it work?

 

you can google Nivomat for an explanation. They are easy to spot - standard shocks are straight metal tubes - Nivomats are fatter. I wouldn't bother looking to add them in - but considering your car is 20 years old, you can consider replacing the rear springs. You can check out IPD USA for their rear "overload springs" for $129 a pair (great price) or replace your old springs with new OEM quality stock springs. YOu should also consider HD shocks

 

It looks like the Nivomat system is just shocks that self adjust. That's a neat idea. If I just need to replace them then OK, if I go with overload springs then the suspension is a lot stiffer when I take all the stuff out of the back. Still looking at all the options though.

 

It is neat, in that the shocks pump themselves up using suspension travel, so it's all self-contained. I've never had one so equipped. I suppose the shocks are so expensive that nobody converts a car to Nivomat, but that would be cool. The old fashioned adjustable solution in the USA at least was air shocks. You could adjust them, but it takes a little time. I don't know if anybody makes an air adjustable shock that would fit it.

 

I started out looking for air adjustable shocks but they are hard to find. I found this site that lists the Nivomat shocks. I tried to call them but no answer yet.