Ride quality - what to expect from a BX?

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mds141
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Re: Ride quality - what to expect from a BX?

Post by mds141 »

I've got 'comfort' spheres fitted to the XM and it really does float along. Once I'm on the twisties the Hydractive kicks in and it's a nimble sports saloon. Ok those last two words might be stretching it somewhat. :lol:
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citsncycles
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Re: Ride quality - what to expect from a BX?

Post by citsncycles »

I have been told that GS spec spheres are the same as BX14 ones. I found the 14 I had was slightly stiffer than the GS, which I put down to a combination of the front suspension design and the fact that it weighed over 200kg less than the GS. I never did anything with the spheres for the 14 as they seemed fine.

The suspension on Timex is quite a bit stiffer than the GS, for which I think there are several reasons. As well as the different suspension design compared to the GS I know that the front struts are slightly sticky. Despite the work that both myself and Ian before me have put into this vehicle, it does show a few signs of neglect, which would do nothing for the ride quality. Although the spheres were recharged or replaced as necessary last year, I believe that estates may have been fitted with stiffer spheres.

I had a quick ride in Electrokid's Estate at Gaydon, and commented on how soft the ride was compared to Timex. He replied that he had fitted a set of standard fit spheres that (IIRC) had come from AEP, and that he believed they were a softer setting than the originals.

For now, I'll be keeping Timex as is, but at some point in the future may well look into fitting some softer spheres in the hope of getting it somewhere close to the ride of the GS.
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Melchior
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Re: Ride quality - what to expect from a BX?

Post by Melchior »

As my BX ownership progresses, I am noticing more quirks and wonder if others notice the same:

- the ride is MUCH better when there's more weight in the car. With 4 people, it rides so much better than it does with just me in. The crashyness is almost totally gone away and bumps are absorbed as I would expect, nice, smooth, almost silent.

- ride better as weather gets warmer. Must be due to the LHM being more runny as it's not so cold?

- less creaky front struts, again maybe due to weather? I have also been doing quite a lot of Citrobics and varying the height at which I park up when leaving it for a few days which might be helping.

- No idea if the previous owner(s) ever moved the lever much, it was pretty stiff and is loosening up gradually especially between normal and low. High and top are stiff but still better than they were.

Incidentally and off topic but I have discovered that I am the 9th owner!!
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Re: Ride quality - what to expect from a BX?

Post by Melchior »

Anyone got any thoughts on the above weather related questions?
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APK (Dutch MOT) failed in May 2013, sold to a member of the Dutch Citroen forum. His thread can be found here: http://www.citroen-forum.nl/forums/viewthread/221870/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Tim Leech
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Re: Ride quality - what to expect from a BX?

Post by Tim Leech »

I'm having new struts fitted Friday to my TZI, can't wait to see what difference it makes !
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Re: Ride quality - what to expect from a BX?

Post by MULLEY »

When its warmer the lhm isn't so viscous, i think that adds to the general softness, so in winter it does feel a bit firmer.
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Melchior
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Re: Ride quality - what to expect from a BX?

Post by Melchior »

What about it feeling more comfy when it's loaded up? 4-up I find it is much more wafty/floaty (what I'd expect) than just with me in it.
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APK (Dutch MOT) failed in May 2013, sold to a member of the Dutch Citroen forum. His thread can be found here: http://www.citroen-forum.nl/forums/viewthread/221870/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Ride quality - what to expect from a BX?

Post by Way2go »

MULLEY wrote:When its warmer the lhm isn't so viscous, i think that adds to the general softness, so in winter it does feel a bit firmer.
Interesting theory Mulley but its not the LHM that provides the springiness (you can't compress a liquid) but the Nitrogen the other side of the membranes. :)
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Melchior
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Re: Ride quality - what to expect from a BX?

Post by Melchior »

But the LHM moves around as the car rides up and down though, right? So if it's less viscous in warmer weather, it will flow around the pipes easier and give a smoother ride. Or...? :)
Dutch 1991 BX 8v GTi. 280,000km
APK (Dutch MOT) failed in May 2013, sold to a member of the Dutch Citroen forum. His thread can be found here: http://www.citroen-forum.nl/forums/viewthread/221870/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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michaelr
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Re: Ride quality - what to expect from a BX?

Post by michaelr »

Melchior wrote:But the LHM moves around as the car rides up and down though, right? So if it's less viscous in warmer weather, it will flow around the pipes easier and give a smoother ride. Or...? :)
You are getting close to right there!

The spring is indeed supplied by the gas and the compressibility and pressure of that varies little with temperature, but the damping is supplied by the LHM. The fluid is forced through the restrictive damper valve located between the cylinder and the sphere. Naturally as the fluid becomes less viscous with rising temperature it gives less damping effect and when cooler the ride will feel stiffer.

The same applies to the conventional hydraulic dampers in conventionally sprung cars.
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Tim Leech
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Re: Ride quality - what to expect from a BX?

Post by Tim Leech »

New struts are on and no more creaking!! Suspension is lovely but doesn't ride like a Mk1.
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Re: Ride quality - what to expect from a BX?

Post by MULLEY »

That'll be because the MK1's front suspension has a load of extra bearings that resemble rear arm bearings, so it should be nicer :)
2002 C5 2.0 HDI Estate - Jasmine - Now SORN
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1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
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1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN

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Tim Leech
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Re: Ride quality - what to expect from a BX?

Post by Tim Leech »

The tzi had wider tyres and different spheres I believe.
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1992 TZD Turbo Estate - SORN
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1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
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1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN
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Re: Ride quality - what to expect from a BX?

Post by MULLEY »

Probably a combination of nicer front suspension & softer spheres & narrow tres on MK1's means they are more floaty :)
2002 C5 2.0 HDI Estate - Jasmine - Now SORN
2011 Mini Cooper D Clubman - SOLD
2016 Mercedes A180D Sport - Auto refinement
1992 TZD Turbo - Bluebell - My daily
1991 Gti 16V - Blaze - crash damaged, will get repaired.
1990 Gti 8Valve SOLD - looks like it's been scrapped
2002 Mini Cooper S - SOLD - i miss this car
1992 TXD - Scrapped in March 2014
1988 CX 25 GTI Turbo2 - SORN
1996 - AX Memphis 1.5D - Dream - SORN

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Tim Leech
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Re: Ride quality - what to expect from a BX?

Post by Tim Leech »

I think the late Mk1's changed from bearings to bushes im told, even so both of mine really do ride beatifully.
Lots of Motors, mostly semi broken....
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