Nitron Streets

[StiflerMR2]

Hey all,

I'm considering purchasing a set of Nitron Street Series 2 for my S1 elise:

http://www.elise-shop.com/nitron-street ... anguage=en

I currently have the S2 bilsteins fitted and tbh, they are fine for my use but they are starting to feel tired (they have been on a while). I actually like how they perform on track and I always get a little worried when things are 'adjustable' as that just means more ways for me to mess up how the car behaves! I probably do about 6-8 track days a year with the rest road driving.

I'd be grateful to hear of anyones experience regarding the NSS2's and if they feel they were a step up from billies as well as how they get on with them on track (if they bother changing settings etc!).

TIA

-Mark.

[captain]

These are what I've got on my honda s1, they replaced a set of knackered original Koni's so i cant comment on how they compare to Billies.

Talk to Craig, he recommended them to me (and might be able to get you a better price). The added benefit for a conversion is that you can set ride height to get the rake right with the extra weight in the back.

[BigD]

Mark, I fitted the street series over the winter. I set the car (S2 but still had the billies on it too) to 120mm front, 125mm rear ride heights which was just slightly lower than stock. I didn't want it so low that it grounded everywhere as the front splitter already catches as it is.

Anyway the change to street series made a huge difference. On the road they were set at 20 clicks from hard (I think there's 35 in total) and this felt better than the billies, much less crashy but also more composed with much less weight shift (bodyroll) on cornering. Feels way better on the road without being harsh.

At Croft the other day which was the first chance I had to adjust them and I went 10 from hard front and rear (some suggest the rear being softer so will try that in future) and compared to the last time at croft on the billies it felt much, much better. More confidence through the high speed direction changes etc. Vast improvement I'd say.

[Dominic]

Billies are refurbable. I had mine done a few years ago, and refitted made the car feel tight again. I am quite happy with them.

Have driven cars with Nitrons and don't entirely get what all the fuss is about. Also put off Nitrons by the need for an annual service on them. IIRC correctly Woody has them, did not use his car for a year and the Nitrons started to leak with the car just sitting on the driveway.

If I was looking to replace the Billies I would be looking to get some reviews on Quantams and other alternatives. I know there is a lot of love for Nitrons though, so will probably get shot down now

[woody]

Billies are refurbable. I had mine done a few years ago, and refitted made the car feel tight again. I am quite happy with them.

Have driven cars with Nitrons and don't entirely get what all the fuss is about. Also put off Nitrons by the need for an annual service on them. IIRC correctly Woody has them, did not use his car for a year and the Nitrons started to leak with the car just sitting on the driveway.

If I was looking to replace the Billies I would be looking to get some reviews on Quantams and other alternatives. I know there is a lot of love for Nitrons though, so will probably get shot down now

Not strictly true Dom. One started to leak after 13k of road use, rather than being on the car while laid up. Not sure if I'll refurb or go Quantum.

[BigD]

I didn't specifically go for Nitrons, just they came up in a group buy. Would've been equally happy with quantums too but the GB was a bit cheaper.

You should try my car Dom it's much better than it was on the billies. On the road you maybe don't notice the big difference, although I did, it's much more composed.

[woody]

I didn't specifically go for Nitrons, just they came up in a group buy. Would've been equally happy with quantums too but the GB was a bit cheaper.

You should try my car Dom it's much better than it was on the billies. On the road you maybe don't notice the big difference, although I did, it's much more composed.

Dom has bilstein LSS from the 135R, they're quite a bit stiffer (certainly in feel) than the standard billies. Had them fitted on my car pre NSS.

Scuffers is, IIRC a Quantum guru.

[BigD]

I didn't specifically go for Nitrons, just they came up in a group buy. Would've been equally happy with quantums too but the GB was a bit cheaper.

You should try my car Dom it's much better than it was on the billies. On the road you maybe don't notice the big difference, although I did, it's much more composed.

Dom has bilstein LSS from the 135R, they're quite a bit stiffer (certainly in feel) than the standard billies. Had them fitted on my car pre NSS.

Scuffers is, IIRC a Quantum guru.

Got ya, probably less of a difference on the road then.

[StiflerMR2]

Thanks for all the feedback chaps.

Had a quick chat with Craig as well and will most likely take a punt on the nitrons

[Scuffers]

my only comments are:

1) quantums don't need re-building, their service life is several years between being looked at (ie. even the very early ones sold are still not being returned for service and that's back from late 2009, ie. they last better than OEM Bilsteins and way better than Nitrons.
2) road performance wise, I would rate Quantum Zero's way above anything else, yes, I am biased, as I must have spent several hundred hours of road testing to get them right, but don't take my word for it, ask people that have them.

Yes they cost, but it's a one off cost, not a recurring one, they are made in the UK in-house by Quantum using the best material spec's and CNC's, their return rates are in single digits (and of the returns, less than half are actually at fault).

[StiflerMR2]

Thanks for the feedback, my mind is not made up yet so definitely something to think about!

I'll go and have a search for some reviews on the quantums.

Thanks again!

[Dominic]

Billies are refurbable. I had mine done a few years ago, and refitted made the car feel tight again. I am quite happy with them.

Have driven cars with Nitrons and don't entirely get what all the fuss is about. Also put off Nitrons by the need for an annual service on them. IIRC correctly Woody has them, did not use his car for a year and the Nitrons started to leak with the car just sitting on the driveway.

If I was looking to replace the Billies I would be looking to get some reviews on Quantams and other alternatives. I know there is a lot of love for Nitrons though, so will probably get shot down now

Not strictly true Dom. One started to leak after 13k of road use, rather than being on the car while laid up. Not sure if I'll refurb or go Quantum.

[j2 lot]

I had Nitrons on the Europa and I loved how they felt when they were first fitted but they did need serviced to keep that feel & that was a bit of a fouter for me

[KevD]

Recently got nitrons after a service at cmc spotted corroded springs and a damper well on its way out. Noticeable difference compared to old bilsteins ( which were proper old). More settled is probably the best description I can give, still not given them a serious outing but plenty of confidence in them

[woody]

my only comments are:

1) quantums don't need re-building, their service life is several years between being looked at (ie. even the very early ones sold are still not being returned for service and that's back from late 2009, ie. they last better than OEM Bilsteins and way better than Nitrons.

Yes they cost, but it's a one off cost, not a recurring one, they are made in the UK in-house by Quantum using the best material spec's and CNC's, their return rates are in single digits (and of the returns, less than half are actually at fault).

This is what's key for me and why I'll probably go Quantum.