GS ride height vs 4200

Delmonte

Member
Messages
878
Quick one. Does the GS sit lower than the 4200?
If so is it just on different springs to cause this? Or any other suspension differences?
I have half a mind to lower my ride height a bit.... would like springs anyway as mine a bit rusty (05 face-lift)
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
Quick one. Does the GS sit lower than the 4200?
If so is it just on different springs to cause this? Or any other suspension differences?
I have half a mind to lower my ride height a bit.... would like springs anyway as mine a bit rusty (05 face-lift)

If you order new spring now, you get the same for 4200 or GS. They harmonised with the facelift I seem to recall from last time I looked at this. The difference will be the preload on the spring platforms. There is a guide somewhere on the difference in height.
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
Found it.

4200 Front 162mm Rear 180mm (measured from the centre of the mounting bolt for the lower wishbone)
GS Front 152mm Rear 170mm.
 

Delmonte

Member
Messages
878
If you order new spring now, you get the same for 4200 or GS. They harmonised with the facelift I seem to recall from last time I looked at this. The difference will be the preload on the spring platforms. There is a guide somewhere on the difference in height.

So is the pre load on the platforms something that's adjustable then? Or are different components involved between the 2 cars
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
It’s an adjustment on the spring platforms, no different parts. You need spring compressors, c spanners, a swear jar and some plasters / bandages / first aider.
 

spkennyuk

Member
Messages
5,930
Quick one. Does the GS sit lower than the 4200?
If so is it just on different springs to cause this? Or any other suspension differences?
I have half a mind to lower my ride height a bit.... would like springs anyway as mine a bit rusty (05 face-lift)

Iirc the facelift sits lower than the pre facelift 4200. However either way the GS was lowered by 10mm front and rear from the original 4200 settings.
 

maseratimike7

Member
Messages
364
Just jumping on this thread, do the standard 4200 shocks have any adjustability like a C collar or is it a fixed seat height for the springs?

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,654
Just jumping on this thread, do the standard 4200 shocks have any adjustability like a C collar or is it a fixed seat height for the springs?

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk
yes...but anticipate that the collars are rusted pretty solid !
 

maseratimike7

Member
Messages
364
yes...but anticipate that the collars are rusted pretty solid !
I was looking to buy new ones, adjust the height and put my new GS springs on as one of my shocks has failed on the GS.

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
I was looking to buy new ones, adjust the height and put my new GS springs on as one of my shocks has failed on the GS.

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk

Sadly, Skyhook shocks aren’t available new I understand.
 

maseratimike7

Member
Messages
364
Sadly, Skyhook shocks aren’t available new I understand.
ES said they can get the standard 4200 shocks as I want fixed damping with the GS ride height. This is why I wanted to ask about a adjustable collar on the standard 4200 shocks as it will provide an option over buying coilovers.

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,654
Little bit confusing ; I read standard 4200 struts and assumed Skyhook
If it’s non Skyhook, why go with over priced Masersti struts at all..?
KW V3s are surely a much better option for the money. A known, quality option. Fully adjustable and serviceable. . ( I haven’t looked at ES price list but can’t believe Masersti oem is good valu , honestly....:().
Or Ceika have an offering....?
 
Last edited:

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
ES said they can get the standard 4200 shocks as I want fixed damping with the GS ride height. This is why I wanted to ask about a adjustable collar on the standard 4200 shocks as it will provide an option over buying coilovers.

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk

Ah, I see what you are driving at. All UK cars came with SH as standard, so when you said standard, I assumed you meant SH.

No, they don’t have adjustable spring platforms. If you want that, you are best going with Tim’s suggestion.
 

rockits

Member
Messages
9,167
Voicey did this for me on my 4200 to match GS specs. Always felt the stock 4200 sat too high a d too much gap in the arch above the tyres.

No parts needed just the right adjustment. It can be done on the car if you are lucky but Voicey had to take a couple of mine out to adjust them I think. Looks so much better after IMHO.
 

maseratimike7

Member
Messages
364
Little bit confusing ; I read standard 4200 struts and assumed Skyhook
If it’s non Skyhook, why go with over priced Masersti struts at all..?
KW V3s are surely a much better option for the money. A known, quality option. Fully adjustable and serviceable. . ( I haven’t looked at ES price list but can’t believe Masersti oem is good valu , honestly....:().
Or Ceika have an offering....?
No standard I meant the basic 4200 not the skyhook GS or later 4200 variant.

I have never had a good experience with coilovers on other cars so have been looking at any other OEM alternative to be honest.

It's looks like there is a real lack of options on the GS so will probably have to go with coilovers in the end.

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
No standard I meant the basic 4200 not the skyhook GS or later 4200 variant.

I have never had a good experience with coilovers on other cars so have been looking at any other OEM alternative to be honest.

It's looks like there is a real lack of options on the GS so will probably have to go with coilovers in the end.

Sent from my Pixel 6 using Tapatalk
As said, all uk supplied 42/GS had adjustable spring platforms with skyhook dampers.
I could be wrong but thought all had adjustable spring platforms if not necessarily skyhook dampers as an option in other markets.
If this is your case, I don't believe there is any option for an alternative damper only, other than an alternative coil over assembly.
 

Zep

Moderator
Messages
9,110
As said, all uk supplied 42/GS had adjustable spring platforms with skyhook dampers.
I could be wrong but thought all had adjustable spring platforms if not necessarily skyhook dampers as an option in other markets.
If this is your case, I don't believe there is any option for an alternative damper only, other than an alternative coil over assembly.

I’m petty sure pictures I have seen for non-SH dampers had a fixed platform, they list different spacers, I assume to adjust the ride height.

In the parts diagram, you can see the threads on the SH damper.

104325

But not the non-SH.

Not that scientific I know!104326
 

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,696
Speak with ASM and see if they do these for a 4200.