Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 07:38 pm, by: Alex Campbell(Axe)
Do all V8 soarers come with air suspension as a standard or are there V8 models with the coil spring suspension? Also how much does it cost to replace the air suspension, in total. How much does it cost to replace the air suspension with coil spring suspension, in total too. Please keep responses relating specifically to V8 soarers.
Daniel Lee TryHard Victoria Soarer GT Limited UZZ31 V8
I do not personally know what it would cost to replace the air struts with coils because I have no interest in doing so. If you do not already have a Soarer, then buy a UZZ30 rather than stuffing up a UZZ31.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 08:05 pm, by: Alex Campbell(Axe)
thank you for your help, greatly appreciated, been looking at a few V8 soarers recently and am actually getting a little depressed because it seems impossible to find a well maintained one, the suspension is my main worry as i suspected it would cost a small fortune to replace if faulty.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 08:39 pm, by: Neil Griffiths(Aussiesc)
Get a 31...(So you have all the goodies) Then swap the Air Bags for Coils (JZZ30 ones) Then Manualize it.. Then drive the bastard HARD (While playing with the Touch Screen) heheheheh
Wednesday, January 11, 2006 - 10:14 pm, by: Mark Paddick(Sparks)
Seconded If you have the cash get all new airbags and a height controller. Contrary to popular opinion I reckon an airbag car does handle OK at the right height. Only the UZZ32 Active and UZZ31 airbag cars have all the goodies inside.
Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 03:30 pm, by: Don Bagnall(Baggs)
Excellent David.........we can now have on going V8 v. V8 debates
I've only driven a 31 briefly around New Plymouth, so don't feel qualified to give an informed opinion (specially after the cock-ups I made posting last night ), BUT I will say that our 30 fulfills ALL my requirements for economy, handling & gadgets.
But then again, I'm easily pleased.......feed me Bourbon, and I'll agree with anything!
Friday, January 13, 2006 - 12:31 am, by: Avin Luther(Lex_luther)
Hi Alex, Welcome to the club!
All of what has been posted above is correct in some sense, yet i assume, is helping little in your choices of a car. If you posted the question as you are worried about the possible future cost of replacing the suspension, then i wouldnt stress too much about the cost of new airbags.
There are a lot of 31 (airbag) models available, vastly moreso than the 30 (coil sprung) or 32 Active models. As such most that you look at will be 31's, and they will be in varying condition. If the airbags are of even height and stay as such after a drive, and have no oil appearing on the shocks, then there is a good chance that they will serve you well. If one perhaps did fail (leak and drop its height) then there are always second hand alternatives available for ~$200 on this forum. If the worst came to the worst and you wanted to change all 4 then you have a few choices. 1. Fit all new airbags at $900 per strur 2. fit a set of coilovers, Tein, Koni, Bilsten etc at between $1000 - $2000 3. Fit the coils off a TT soarer or 30 series V8 ~$400 second hand
Dont be scared off by the airbags, you may well pass up a fabulous car. Mine have served me well, and mine is sitting very low (more stress on the bags) and i drive it very hard on uneven road surfaces, and have done so for 2 years. Not many owners on here have problems with them failing, and not many have fitted all new struts all round. A few have changed to aftermarket coilovers, but none to my knowlege have changed from Airbags to TT or 30 series coils, so they cant be that great! (sorry PEN and DON) the 31 also comes with more features, and the aribags DO handle well and are convienient to raise and lower the car when spped humps, steep driveways approach.
Friday, January 13, 2006 - 12:41 am, by: Peter Nitschke(Pen)
Rob, define "out do". Apart from the time spent at the crash repairer (not my or the cars fault), the car has been off the road for a few hours for LCA bush replacement, a few hours for the p/s pump and alternator job, and a few hours for exhaust work. Add a few hours for a couple of wheel alignments and the simple mods and regular maintenance that I have done myself.
Maximum available drive time, minimum cash required and less toys. Which is exactly what I said.
Most of my driving is in the city. It's nice to be able to jump away at the lights with a wee touch of the throttle. I love driving my UZZ30.
Don't get me wrong, I admire the UZZ32, there is no doubt it has exceptional cornering potential.
I also admire the forethought in supplying lots of toys to play with while you are waiting for it to get going from the traffic lights or while it is off the road while you try to get the suspension to stop bouncing etc.
Different toys for different boys is all
Stephen Howlett TryHard victoria soarer/ 1992/tt auto & 1996 V8 & parts 4 sale
Previous
(While playing with the Touch Screen) heheheheh
), BUT I will say that our 30 fulfills ALL my requirements for economy, handling & gadgets. 
