ANYONE SOFTENED THEIR RIDE TO ACCOMODATE UK POTHOLES?

[Griffy]

This HAS to be of interest to RC pilots / carers....

Allowing damage / rapid deterioration of our much loved RCs due to governmental neglect in our roads whilst uttering things like 'Y buy a sports car if U are not man enough for hard suspension?' doesnt cut it with me

Do we have any specialists / members with suspension knowledge that can tackle this issue? - There is absolutely no need to run 19" + 40s + hard suspension on (in my case) 160hp FWD!!!!

I cannot put into words the feelings that go thru me when I finally fail to spot a monster hole (be it due to water, night or traffic demanding full concentration at that moment)

If this is indeed a proper club to support the Marque for decades to come, then we not only owe a duty of care to these fine cars, but also, I am certain, a majority of RC drivers would keep them longer, enjoy them infinitely more...if both they and their beloved cars are not smashed around as if hit by a cricket bat every few mins.......Its not 'Rocket Science'

Maybe someone with the right knowledge and time + initial funding can approach some suspension specialists, not to lower and stiffen (yawn..) for 'Stance' but to transform the car from underdeveloped for UK roads (built for smooth continental roads...on which the car is fabulous) to one where u can drive with infinitely lower tension and apprehension....and truly enjoy the car as intended...a Grand Tourer - Sure there are some who want to track the car and plough their own furrow, however many, incl older, female, infirm who presently drive with gritted teeth half the time.....

Lets pull together:

Names of specialists
Comfort all weather specific tyres (softer sidewalls and rubber etc)
Alternative Specs that will fit with minimal arch liner mods - eg 19x45 of various widths, 18x50 of various widths
Custom top mounts improve things?
Softer replacement rubbers throughout
Experiment with spring rates, particularly progressives
Custom modified and adjustable dampers
Can the apparent bump steer be tamed?

Personally, I dont care if the car leans more on its suspension (gives better feedback on public roads anyway)

Would love to try 225, 235, 245 x45 on 19s and 50s on 18" to start with (running lower pressures due to safer taller sidewalls)

Next, just change springs to progressives, starting at c 25% softer over initial compression, rising to -15% on full bump. Progressive rubber bump stops if possible too.

Leaving the fine art of adapting custom adjustable dampers to match

Investigate and reduce bumpsteer

Thoughts? - Please reach out across forum and outside into the motorsport specialists to see if we can 'put the icing on the cake'

 

[RCZIain]

I found all season tyres to make a difference.
I have them on my current car. Definitely takes the edge off going through potholes.

 

[Griffy]

I found all season tyres to make a difference.
I have them on my current car. Definitely takes the edge off going through potholes.

Having bought car in Jan, I currently have budget Summer Tyres, so swapping to all seasons with a reputation for comfort and quietness will be first consideration when speccing experimental width and sidewall on current 19"

 

[RCZIain]

Mine is on 225 40 18, and compared to a summer tyre they are so much quieter.

 

[Griffy]

Mine is on 225 40 18, and compared to a summer tyre they are so much quieter.

interesting

 

[Griffy]

....OK, let me kick start the subject of IMPROVING RIDE COMFORT:

Solutions?:

SUSPENSION OPTIONS:

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PEUGEOT RCZ (10 - 13) XYZ Super Sport Suspension Coilovers - XYZ Racing UK

xyz super sport full replacement suspension for rcz aimed at comfort, adjustable:



PEUGEOT RCZ (10 – 13) XYZ Super Sport Suspension Coilovers

£1,083.29

30 way adjustable XYZ Supert Sport Coilover Suspension Kit for the PEUGEOT RCZ designed specifically to eliminate any discomfort you may find from rough roads and lowering capabilities to give you a road and weekend track racing suspension setup.

Fast Road Suspension Kit Performance for the PEUGEOT RCZ 10 – 13 – OK for 2014=> ?​
XYZ Racing Super Sport Complete Front & Rear Adjustable Peugeot RCZ Suspension Kit The XYZ Super Sport range are designed specifically to eliminate any discomfort you may find from bumps or rough roads. Our easy to install and replace coilover kits enable you to easily adjust the ride height from anything up to 100mm – 120mm using a top mount 30-way dampening adjustment tool (provided)*. Installing this kit can enable you to lower your RCZ suspension to look and handle awesome, or you can raise it to increase the ride comfort of tough roads. In other words, your RCZ with this coilover system can be adjusted to suit all types of road conditions. The XYZ professional grade high performance damper adjustment system can also be also used for fine tuning your RCZ for both weekend racing and for daily road use.
The XYZ Super Sport PEUGEOT RCZ Suspension Kit Features:​
	Set of four (front & back) high quality sport dampers, designed and engineered by racing professionals.
Lightweight aluminium bottom mount and a mono-tube design.
Larger piston with a diameter of 45mm, shock absorber body 51.5mm.
Direct replacement kit for your existing suspension, no additional components needed.
Fully adjustable up to 120mm for ride height/lowering. *
30-way adjustable top mount dampening, suitable for fine tuning with road use and weekend racing.
All units are fully tested and verified at the factory and come with a one year limited warranty (T&C’s apply) for a defective strut.
Professional Grade Coilovers Without The Price Tag​
1 – XYZ Racing Super Sport Top Mount The XYZ Racing strut design on our Peugeot RCZ shock absorbers in the Super Sport (SS) range are McPherson struts, which come with pillow ball upper mounts. If your car has wishbone struts then the super sport kit will come provided with aluminium top mounts. If your RCZ does not have a suspension system with holes in the top mount then you will need to use your existing OEM upper mount. If you have a vehicle where it is possible to install a pillow ball or aluminium top mount then you can opt to change it from the default XYZ recommended and supplied top mount for a small fee. Check the bottom of this page to see what top mounts are supplied for both front and rear for this model of RCZ. Please Note: With our pillow ball top mounts it is also possible to adjust camber degree, the positive effect of this is that you tune your suspension setup and increase the stability and handling of your RCZ by 10%, however the downside is that the pillow ball may be susceptible to creating a slight noise when driving over big bumps, this noise is not a defect and is not covered by our warranty.
	2 – XYZ Racing Patented Mono-Tube Design We opted for the mono-tube design in this super sport coilover system as it offers outstanding responsiveness and retains stable shock absorber damping for a comfy ride over uneven roads, pot holes and bumps. The super sport damper with its enormous piston diameter of 45mm can also be fine-tuned using our adjustable damper system for to allow you to easily change the suspension setup for weekend racing as well. This type of design offers you a big brand coilovers system for your RCZ without having to pay the price tag and is what makes our product so unique that it stands out from the rest. 3 – XYZ Racing Fully Adjustable Lower Mounts We use aluminium material to in our lower mounts to reduce the weight of the kit, the lower mount is moveable so that both pre load and ride height can be adjusted by via the bottom mount. For a McPherson bottom mount we use steel (SPHC-C) to maximise the strength which avoids 4 – XYZ Racing 30-Way Adjustable Dampening System Using the supplied needle valves XYZ super sport kits offer 30-way dampening to allow you to get the most out of your new RCZ suspension kit which give you flexibility for best performance on all different types of road conditions and surfaces. The shock absorber needle valve gives you linear damping adjustment at each and every level. 5 – XYZ Racing Anti-Rust Manufacturing Process We want to provide you with long lasting suspension kit you can always be proud of, so all of our threaded parts are manufactured with a coating of fluorine to prevent corrosion or adherence. Our bottom mounts are anodized at the factory to provide the same level of protection 6 – XYZ Racing Coil Springs 99% of our super sport coilover kits come with a pillow ball upper mount to give you an experience of direct control from your suspension. Our Super Sport damper is equipped with hi-tech springs that have been designed and tested by racing professionals and tuned to the most perfect spring rates in accordance with a stock PEUGEOT RCZ car. Unless you have extremely modified your RCZ we recommend leaving our professionally tested spring rating as standard, however for a small fee we can adjust the spring rating for you at the factory, to view our supplied kit spring ratings for each and every model please click here
7 – XYZ Racing Lightweight Aluminium Bottom Mount As well as aluminium’s excellent quality of being able to dissipate heat, the bottom mount is also manufactured in aluminium to reduce weight of the super sport kit – This is another unique feature which makes XYZ Racing stand out from the crowd 8 – XYZ Racing Spring Bearing The Super Sport kits are designed for comfort in mind, for those that with to slam their vehicles as low as possible an important feature to consider when choosing your kit is that our spring bearings on an XYZ SS kit are Teflon bearings, which will eliminate strange noises found in most aftermarket kits and will give your RCZ a smoother ride whilst turning.
* The lowering height stated is a generic stated value which may not be specific to the super sport suspension for this Peugeot RCZ, 99% of our vehicle application have a maximum adjustment of 100mm-120mm however in some applications such as but not limited to: rare and classic vehicles, or vehicles where this maximum drop is not possible due to body shape, wheel and wheel arch design the maximum adjustment levels may differ slightly from the amount stated.
PEUGEOT RCZ (10 – 13) XYZ Super Sport Suspension Coilovers Top Mounts​

Front​
	Somethings are best left kept as they are, so the design for these coilover kits are to use the top mounts which came with the manufacture of your vehicle. No top mounts will be supplied but don’t worry! You will still be able to connect our XYZ kit to the original top mounts that came with your car

Rear​
	Our solution for rear top mounts on the back two coilovers is to use the original mounts supplied with the car

 

[Griffy]

KW ALTERNATIVE:

KW Variant 2 (V2) Coilovers are premium, height-adjustable suspension upgrades featuring 16-click adjustable rebound damping. Designed for fast road use and light track duty, they allow drivers to dial in body control, handling, and ride compliance to match their driving style and specific wheel/tire setups. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Key Features

Adjustable Rebound Damping (16 clicks): Fine-tune how quickly the damper extends after compression. Turning the knob firms up the ride to reduce body roll and improve high-speed stability, or softens it to ensure comfort over rougher B-roads.

Height Adjustable: Allows you to lower your car’s center of gravity and achieve an aggressive, balanced stance. The TÜV-approved lowering range typically varies between 30mm and 90mm depending on your exact vehicle.

INOX-Line Stainless Steel: Built with durable, corrosion-resistant stainless steel strut housings and dirt-resistant trapezoidal threads, ensuring the coilovers will not seize and can be adjusted easily for years—even in UK weather.

Vehicle-Specific Tuning: Dampers are pre-set and custom-valved for your specific car model, thoroughly tested on the Nürburgring and on KW's 7-post dynamic rig. [1, 2, 3, 5, 6]

Target Audience & Use Case

The V2 is considered the "sweet spot" for enthusiasts who daily drive their vehicles but want a sportier, more direct feel and the ability to personalize their suspension. If you want individual lowering and the ability to tweak rebound firmness—without the added complexity of compression (bump) adjustment found in the Variant 3 (V3) line—the V2s are the ideal choice. [1, 2, 3]

For a look at what you get in the box and how the rebound settings are adjusted:



Purchasing & Installation

Prices typically range from around £1,400 to £1,800 depending on your car's make and model. Professional installation and a full wheel alignment are highly recommended after fitting. You can check fitment and pricing for your specific vehicle through trusted UK retailers like ML Performance or CLP Tuning. [1, 2, 3]

 

[Griffy]

TOP MOUNTS:

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or the Peugeot RCZ, Peugeot OE (Original Equipment) is generally the better and safer choice for top mounts and bearings, though Febi Bilstein is a highly respected aftermarket brand. [1, 2]

The decision comes down to the critical role these parts play in the car's handling and steering precision:

1. Peugeot OE (Original Equipment)

Why it wins: The RCZ is a driver's car with a tuned suspension. OE parts guarantee exact factory specifications, proper rubber durometer (stiffness), and seamless integration with the strut assemblies.

The downside: It will cost more and must typically be sourced from a Peugeot main dealer or specialist. [1]

2. Febi Bilstein

Why consider it: Febi is known for producing OE-matching quality parts. Their top mounts are often significantly cheaper and more accessible through independent automotive suppliers like GSF Car Parts or Autodoc.

The downside: While Febi is generally reliable, aftermarket mounts can occasionally result in a slightly different ride feel or faster degradation compared to genuine Peugeot parts. [, 2]

Summary Recommendation

If you want to retain the razor-sharp handling the RCZ is known for, or if you are pairing the mounts with upgraded dampers (like Bilstein B4s or OE shocks), go with Peugeot OE.

If you are on a tighter budget or doing a standard daily-driver repair, Febi Bilstein is a very capable and cost-effective alternative. [1]

Tip: Always replace the strut bearings at the same time as the mounts, as they wear concurrently. []

FRONT SUSPENSION STICKING AND PITCHING CAR SIDEWAYS IN A WADDLE FOR FRIST COMPRESSION OF THE DAY:

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The sensation of the car "pitching" or feeling loose on the first compression, which then disappears, is classically caused by stiction (static friction) in the front MacPherson struts, binding top mounts, or a sticking anti-roll bar link. [1, 2, 3]

The specific "first compression" behavior happens because the seals, fluids, and internal components settle while the car is parked overnight, especially in cold or damp conditions. When you first drive over a bump, the components are essentially "stuck" for a split second before breaking free. Once the suspension is warmed up and cycling, it moves fluidly. [1, 2]

The most common root causes and what you should check:

1. Dampers (Shock Absorbers)

The Cause: Internal seals and gas/oil can stiffen or adhere slightly when cold. If a damper is slightly bent or has worn internal valves, the piston will snag initially before moving smoothly through its stroke.

What to check: Check for any "misty" or oily residue on the shock body. Even if there is no heavy leak, weak or degraded front shocks (common on the RCZ) allow more body roll and wandering. [1, 2, 3]

2. Strut Top Mounts and Bearings

The Cause: The top mounts sit at the very top of the suspension turret. When they wear out or their integrated bearings rust and seize, the strut cannot pivot smoothly as you go over bumps or turn the steering wheel.

What to check: Listen for any clunking or rubbery creaking when the car is stationary and turning the steering wheel. If the bearing is sticking, it causes the spring to bind and suddenly release, which causes a pitching or snapping sensation on the road. [1, 2, 3]

3. Anti-Roll Bar (Drop) Links

The Cause: These connect your suspension strut to the anti-roll bar. If the ball joints inside these links wear out or lose their grease, they can bind under load, causing a delayed reaction when the suspension compresses.

What to check: These are a very common wear item on the RCZ. With the car safely raised, check for any play or looseness by pushing or prying against the link. [1, 2]

4. Suspension Bushes (Control Arms & Anti-Roll Bar)

The Cause: Rubber bushes dry out, crack, or perish. When cold, the hard rubber binds with the metal sleeves rather than pivoting silently.

What to check: Look at the front lower control arm bushes. Perished or split bushes will let the wheel shift involuntarily under compression, leading to an unpredictable, darting, or pitching feel. [1, 2, 3, 4]

5. Tyre Pressure

The Cause: An underinflated tyre has more sidewall flex, which can make the car feel squishy and induce rolling or pitching on initial turn-in.

What to check: Ensure your front tyre pressures are set correctly (typically around 2.4 bar for standard 18" or 19" wheels, depending on the exact model specification). [1, 2, 3, 4]

Recommended Action Plan:

Visual Inspection: Turn the steering to full lock and visually check your front shock absorbers for oil leaks, and inspect the rubber boots on your top mounts and drop links.

Professional Diagnosis: Because the RCZ uses a wider, lowered, and heavier-duty front track compared to a standard 308, suspension loads are high. Take the car to a local suspension specialist or garage to get the front end checked on a ramp for play.

Upgrades: If your shocks or springs need replacing, many owners opt for upgraded kits (like the Bilstein B12 or B14) to improve the RCZ's damping characteristic

 

[Pedro]

I'm changing all the mounts on the front suspension as its reached 60.000Klms its had 2 new springs & all strut top mountings replaced last MOT so this week weather permitting no upgrades no lowering just same bushes & as the speed bumps where we live are like miniature Everest humps I can easily chaff the exhaust if I don't drop below 10 MPH that's why its a waste of money altering what will go around a corner at 50+ MPH without moving an inch off course