Howdy people. I'm Grant. I'm a newbie Volvo owner. I just bought a 2000 S70 Sedan, and don't think I'll ever look back - I love everything about my new ride.

Although the factory suspension makes for nice highway trips, the thought of enhancing it to handle a little more sportily has crossed my mind.

I know that there's a Sachs performance Kit available for $1000. This is from the sanme people that made the stock suspension.

I also know that some people are putting Bilstien equipment on with various makes of springs and are liking the results.

Seems to me like the Sachs kit would be custom tailored for the car and have the most well balanced characteristics though...

I'm also wondering what wheel/tire combos would work well with an upgraded suspension that's 1.5" lower. I was thinking of replacing the 15"s with a set of 17"x7" Volvo rims...

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Right on guys. Great info, and some good points to keep in mind.

~grant

My opinion....I like the stock spring Bilstein combo. The the larger the wheel, the more jolts and more broken rims you will have. With 17s, you'll pay a big price. I have a T5. I actually moved backwards to 15 inch rims from 16 when I got the Bilsteins and that combo for the northeast is nice. This has no impact on vehicle height of circumfrance...bigger rims have a lower profile.

With lower springs, you will also have that volvo oil pan issue. That is one nasty repair job.

Which 15" wheels are you using?
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We have met the enemy and they is us. [Pogo] '99 S70 cop car : Rough Rider tires& suspension, Walmart fog lights, speakers by ebay, ambiance by Pall Mall, trim by Le Duc d'Tape

I had S60 rims...alloy...but sold them for $400. Tried stell...from them not as true round...so i bought a set of 1994 24 spoke alloy 850 wheels for $175(all 4) on ebay. I can't find more good buys there though. Someone is snatching up the volvo oem wheels now and trying to sell them for $100 each.

Grant,

Have a look at IPD's suspension products and speak with them about what you aim to achieve. I doubt that you will find anyone more knowledgeable in this field.

www.ipdusa.com I believe.

Good luck!

R

Amen to this advice. I would absolutely do the IPD sway bars 1st. Big difference in body roll. If you still want more, go for Bilstein HD shocks. With these two, my 96 854T5 has virtually zero body roll. I have never been tempted to mess with the springs after these two mods. A shock tower brace is also worthwhile, much less stress when you floor the pedal.

Good luck.