Pro kit fitted...what next?

[speed]

Had the pro kit fitted a few weeks ago so went to have a 4 wheel alignment done yesterday. They checked whatever it is they check and i was told all was fine and no need to adjust anything. One thing he did mention was to have the camber on the rear wheels checked / adjusted. He wasn't the first person to mention this to me so should this be something i look into getting done?
I'm still not 100% happy with the way the car handles, at times it feels as though it has a mind of its own. What i mean by this is, sometimes when taking a bend the car will sharpen up the line or seem more difficult to turn in. I don't think this is down to tramlining but its possible. What i want to know is what i can do to improve the handling a bit... new shocks, bushes etc. Any suggestions would be helpful :)

[uberbmw]

how many miles have you done since fitting the springs?

[Aaftab]

Had the pro kit fitted a few weeks ago so went to have a 4 wheel alignment done yesterday. They checked whatever it is they check and i was told all was fine and no need to adjust anything. One thing he did mention was to have the camber on the rear wheels checked / adjusted. He wasn't the first person to mention this to me so should this be something i look into getting done?
I'm still not 100% happy with the way the car handles, at times it feels as though it has a mind of its own. What i mean by this is, sometimes when taking a bend the car will sharpen up the line or seem more difficult to turn in. I don't think this is down to tramlining but its possible. What i want to know is what i can do to improve the handling a bit... new shocks, bushes etc. Any suggestions would be helpful :)
When i had my pro kit fitted i had my alignment checked a week later but there was no need for adjustment either. My cars done 19k

[speed]

how many miles have you done since fitting the springs?

Probably done at least 500 miles, alot of them on b roads so the springs should have settled by now.

[lumus]

what tyres are you running? they make the most difference.

[Stock323iSaloon]

maybe upgrade ARB & bushes?

[peppernick]

Yep, what tyres? How many miles have your car done and do look into the front lower wishbone rear bushes and rear trailing arm bushes.

Edit: TBH, it's unlikely to be tyres because it is unlikely they grip intermittently. Check out your bushes.

[speed]

The car's done 67k so would probably benefit from replacing the bushes. Should i have the camber checked out or is this something that won't have been affected much by lowering the car?

[uberbmw]

Where did you go to get the alignment done mate? maybe try a different some other place?

[lumus]

Yep, what tyres? How many miles have your car done and do look into the front lower wishbone rear bushes and rear trailing arm bushes.

Edit: TBH, it's unlikely to be tyres because it is unlikely they grip intermittently. Check out your bushes.

I'm on 73k on the clock. i should have sorted the bushes when having the springs fitted probably, but forgot. have you got any idea how much it would cost for all the bushes from a dealer?
also, I wou'dnt have a clue where to look for the bushes (being the noob i am), let alone how to tell if they're shot.

[CA Automotive UK]

hi Lumus

I am sorry to say whoever did your 4 wheel alignment did not know what he was doing. 4 wheel alignment by definition INCLUDES checking camber front and rear, so how on earth can he tell you nothing needed adjusting then in same breath declare you may need rear camber aligned ???? !!!! He could not have done the KDS check at all.

I hope he did not charge you anything.

Go elsewhere that will do a correct alignment check, this is the first requirement.

It is unlikely the tyres are at fault if they are the same ones you drove on prior to the springs being fitted.

Get a garage to check the suspension bushes up on a ramp, a visual inspection will not be sufficient.

At 73000 mls your rear top shock mounts may well be worn and will contribute to the symptoms you describe and be exagerated by the stiffer rate of the new springs; suggest you opt for Rogue uprated bushes at £75 a pair . Likewise Nick's advice on the rest of the bushes is spot on, and i suggest you opt for uprated Powerflex items which you can see on our website.

all the best

[lumus]

hi, It wasnt me who had the rather iffy check, it was speed ;). I'm letting my springs settle a little more before getting mine all checked out.

i expect my mounts and bushes to need replacing, or at least, to benefit greatly from replacement. I'm getting a clicking noise from the rear on hard cornering, which isnt great. The car has got a comprehensive and strong warranty running, any chance that lot would get replaced under it? I like the sound of the uprated stuff though.

[speed]

I went to kwik fit to get the 4WA, wouldn't normally use them for anything but fell out with the indy i usually use after they repaired a stripped thread on my strut brace with liquid metal and didn't even tell me :mad: Kwik fit didn't charge me so nothing lost there, just need to find myself a decent local garage that does 4wa.
Might as well give the suspension an overhaul so i think i might have the following replaced and fitted when i get the 4wa done :
powerflex bushes, rogue rear shock mounts, eibach rear camber arms and front top mounts.
In addition to having the above fitted would it be worth replacing the shocks. I vaguely remember seeing something called an x brace which is fitted under the car at the rear, does this improve anything by much?

[lumus]

arggggg, kwikfit. what a horendous outfit. they've screwed me over before.

no offense to anyone who may work there.