Hey Guys,

I just found out that Volvo offers a lowering kit for the V50 T5.
I'm not sure whether you need the sport package or not, and I don't know if the car must be a T5.
Anyways, the European Volvo Sport suspension package includes springs that lowers the car by 20mm (0.8"). I have ordered the springs and should have them in a couple of days. I will let you know how the car sits and handles. The part number for the springs is: 30664-2562.

Hope this helps,
~Andy

 

That isn't much of a drop. Are you in the states? How much did these cost you?

 

The price is $560CDN ~ $490US list price, and I think that 0.8" is ok for every day driver. I'm not looking to drop the car super crazy, I'm pretty happy with the stock height, just a tad lower would be fine. THe springs should be a little stiffer too

 

1.5" isn't an agressive drop. And it is fine for a daily driver. I had a 1.6" drop on my 95 850 n/a, and it was fine for everyday use.

Now I don't know what companies if any make lowering springs for your car. However most of them will be cheaper then what you paid.

http://www.ipdusa.com
http://www.eurosporttuning.com
http://www.shox.com

 

Got the Car dropped.

Can't begin to describe how pissed I am. After installing the springs, we lowered the car and I was shocked to see that the back end was dropped about 1.6" and the front barely 0.5" the car looks like crap. Also, the front left spring is making noise ... something that will have to be looked into. The front has settled a bit after a few days, but it looks like you have something heavy in the trunk.

Regardless of this, the car has become noticebly smoother and faster in turns. Perhaps, the front/rear weight bias has been fixed. My speed around the corners is just as fast now, (snow tires) as it has been with allseasons. On Harsh bumps on the highway, the car soaks them up better, and yet the spring rate is stiffer.

Anyways, overall I am not happy with the way the car looks, but it handles better than before. I will take those springs off and bitch at volvo. I'm hoping at least to get credit for my purchase so I can put it towards something else. Anyone think I will succeed? anyone had experience w/Volvo and their CS? The springs clearly don't do what they say they would (lower the car by 20mm) and my argument will be that they upset the balance of front/rear weight bias as well as aerodynamics.

I'm open to suggestion of aftermarket spring sets.

Regards,
~Andy

 

Like I said look into these springs.

-IPD ( http://www.ipdusa.com )
-EST ( http://www.eurosporttuning.com )
-B&G ( http://www.shox.com )
-H&R ( http://www.shox.com )
-Apec Suspension Systems ( Type this into a search engine)

Take it that they might not have anything for your car, but check them out to be sure.

As for Volvo Customer Service (CS), I have had good and bad.

 

Ok, some update on the springs.

It seems like the front has settled down a little, and the back remained (or even has risen) to 1.3" drop.
The front now doesn't look so rediculous after a couple of days. The handling is pretty darn nice. the car has more of a neutral feel to it now. I would like the front to settle a little more however. Evolvecars.com are working on a coilover kit (or it might be a lowering kit w/spring shock combo, I will wait for that and then put it on). I hope its Bilstein shocks though.

Got some other goodies too, watch for post w/pictures.

 

Fixed the spring rattle. It seems the spring was not sitting properly, and some kind of "nipple" that hides into the hat assembly was rotated 180 degrees the other way. The car is a dream to drive now, very very nice. And the Euro look (back lower than front) has begun to grow on me. Because the shocks are compressed, and the springs are stiffer I get the dip-and-no-bounce attitude on highway dips. The car feels much much nicer now. Will keep updated on other stuff when I get it.

 

Rattle is back, so is a new problem:
Seems that Volvo needed their suspension specialist to come in and take a look at my problem.

I got the part number for the springs from someone, but this is a part number for a NON-AWD model!!!
So I'm getting a rubbing noise from front left because I have the wrong part. At the time of sale, no one from Volvo cared to notify me that I am getting a wrong part. The shimmings for the power steering are rubbing something somewhere because the geometry of the spring has changed it. Frankly, I don't know how, or why.

I've ordered a set of springs from EVOLVE and hopefully I can resolve this crap!!!

If anyone wants a set of lowering springs for a V50 T5 (non-awd) I'll let them go for $100US. shipping incl. (if the shipping is around $20 or so).

Laters.

 

i'm definelty interested in how it goes.. i'm looking into lowering my v50 as well but was curious as to what the ride is like.. rather the differences between the manufacturers.

 

With a 1.6" drop, do you have to go slower over speed bumps, or minor pot hole's or anything?

 

I didn't, I mean I took them slower on purpose. But I don't think it made a difference.

 

1998 V70 T5 Turbo
H&R's
Koni yellows in the back
Monroes up front

I love it.