Leaderboard

The Bilstein B8 dampers were installed today, to accompany my existing H&R Super Sport springs. If you wanted to do the whole shebang, you could buy the Bilstein B12 kit, which consists of B8s with Eibach lowering springs. At the same time, lower arm Superpro poly bushes front and rear were installed, as well as Superpro lower control arms, adjustable toe controls and Whiteline anti-roll bar drop links front and rear. It also got a full laser alignment. By the way, I ordered the Bilsteins last October and they only just arrived this week. Be prepared for a long wait. Abbey did the usual superb job and threw two technicians at it, so it was all completed by early afternoon. Ride quality is firm but fluid. You certainly know that you're no longer on stock dampers, but at the same time it remains supple and always in control. There is no bounce, especially over large undulations. There is certainly no crashing or harshness. It's just firm. But that leads to... Roadholding. Goodness me, this is different! In the damp conditions driving home, and off motorway as much as I could, the level of grip and control around bends and coming off corners and roundabouts is on a different planet. Being able to put down a goodly amount of supercharger power and not have it scrabbling for grip is amazing. No, I didn't sneak a set of 255s on the wheels, they're still 235 PS4s. However, I am not used to being able to give it so much pedal so early coming off a corner. It really is a new kind of fun. Was it worth it? I think so, as the investment in a good boosted setup is wasted if you don't pay as much attention to the chassis, and stopping, as it needs.

It's not just cheap 95RON fuel. I've had the crickety fuel pump forever, and the car has been run on V-Power or Momemtum-99 almost exclusively - neither of which are cheap, nor 95RON. The only time it ever disappeared was when using Esso-97, which apparently how no ethanol. Now that Esso do a 99RON fuel to rival V-Power/Tesco Momentum, and my nearest fuel station is Esso, I've switched to using that. Since then, no crickets.

It's been interesting commuting to work on the motorway these last two weeks, in damp to fully wet and cold conditions. Dropping to 5th to overtake, I've several times heard it over-rev as traction breaks, just backing off the pedal a little to regain grip. It's actually done it in 6th a couple of times, too. The BRZ is incredibly stable and hasn't wagged its tail at all. The 235/40 PS4s are very predictable, too. Got to be careful with the supercharger sometimes!