Rover 200 & 400 Owners Club

Hi!

I have a '95 Rover 214 (XW) and I'm thinking of lowering it with H&R springs. I searched in the catalogue and I found that there are two models that possibly fit in my car: one for Honda Concerto p/n:29827 and the other one p/n:29827-2 for Rover 214/216/220.

There's no distintion in the catalogue of the engine in Rover's case and as you may know from the petrol K 1.4 to the 2.0 turbo there is a difference of about 100kg only in the front axle. So I'm afraid of lower the car and the front would become higher than the rear, because I have the 1.4..

As I think you also know is that the heavier engine of the Honda Concerto is the 1.6 (same of 216GTi), and it is not so much heavier than K series. In this case, I think that the probability of the front look higher than the rear will be reduced.
The only problem is to know if there is any difference in the springs design that can make their usage only for Concerto's and not for Rover XW and also maximum weight load per axle and other technical issues or differences between the two part number springs kits... Can you help me with this?


Sorry for my bad english.

Best regards.

I've not come across HR springs before.

In general in the UK springs are designed for the Honda and K series engines. And another version is available seperately for the 2.0 T series cars, (heavier engine).

So in the UK you commonly get
Part 123A Rover 214/216/218 petrol
Part 123B Rover 220

I'd ask them what the difference between the two is and go with the ones with the lower thickness/spring rate for the front springs (the rears will be the same parts I'm fairly sure).

Why lower the suspension when the car's suspension & ride is suitable for the best compromise of handling, acceleration etc by Rover? I just cannot see any point in lowering the suspension when the COG is already low! What will you gain in respect to cost relatively? Not a lot for your hard earnt cash eh!
Save your dosh for more important things like brakes, wheels/tyres, bodywork etc. Dave

Hi!

First of all, thanks for your answers. David, please let me know what you want to mean with COG? Is it center of gravity? (I'm portuguese and as it's spectable I don't know very well some abreviations )


Well, I'm thinking of lowering my car because I have to change ou refurb the struts (they are original and the car ran 100000 miles till now) and I would prefer look to my car a little bit lower.
I'm not thinking in this change just for better performance and I like "ship" handling and moderate bodyroll when cornering.

I sent an email to H&R support, they told me that this springs are for all XW's except diesel and 220 turbo. They didn't let me know anything about Honda Concerto's springs being or not the same. Probably they are.

Anyway, do anyone of you lowered a K-series? What springs and struts did you used?

Kind regards.

A lot of people in the UK use GMAX springs and shocks are they are cheap and give good results. Not too low and not too hard.

The next step up is adjustable ones from Koni or Spax, but they are considerably more expensive.

And do they wont have problems specially in K-series with the front taller than the back?

The GMax ones are designed for the K series.

If you fit them to the T series then you end up with a lower front than back.

Understood, thanks!

Kind regards.

Hi, yes, COG is centre of gravity. The Rover is set up well for this and lowering the suspension will not amount to much! It will sit "nice" but infact will not drive or handle much better. The COG of the Rover is optimised! However, I know a guy who lowered the suspension, had an expensive body kit fitted & the wheels would not clear the wheel arches when cornering, accelerating or braking causing body kit parts to fly off. The Rover as standard will corner quickly, hold the road and steer well. Ride comfort is excellent. Are you running on 14J steel rims or 15J alloys? You don't state what you expect to gain by lowering the suspension! Good luck anyway, David

David, my Rover is this one:


It has the 15" alloys, same of Rover coupé 1.6 (Honda engine).

I'm certain that when comparing the lowering kit with a genuine new suspension replacing kit the gain is near to zero. It may cause less bodyroll that many people understand and feel (wrongly) more secure.

I only think of lowering as a matter of appearance, just and only.

I do not agree with you that the ride comfort is excellent, mine, probably because of Recaro seats and 15" allows isn't so that comfort as you may think it is. I know, if I lower my car the comfort will be a little bit decreased, but I don't mind...


Kind Regards.