 | Home > Puma (Tdci) > New Suspension - Alive Comfort + Fox versus Urban + Bilstein |
 
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| Bazarre13 Member Since: 31 Aug 2022 Location: London Posts: 21   
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Hi all
I have read loads of helpful posts and experiences on the Alive + Fox setup but have struggled to find any direct comparison to the Urban + Bilstein setup and would appreciate any advice. My 2016 110 XS SW has original suspension on it and done 125,000km over some rugged terrain. I’m a Defender newbie and will be taking it on road trips but nothing serious off road and am based in London so 95% on road. Has an ARB deluxe steel bull bar with winch on front which is being changed to Spectre front so a weight saving but will have roof tent and usual camping load in rear on road trips (side question - best place to sell ARB)? Trying to decide between the 2 setups and will have full Superpro kit installed at the same time. Also justifying Alive £540 + Fox £770 versus Urban £450 + B6 £316 so £1310 versus £766 - huge price difference. Admit Foxes are beautiful but advice/experience needed!? Thanks very much. Bazarre13 Learning to live with a Defender in London MY2016 110 XS SW Black Pack in Indus Grey |
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11th Apr 2023 7:36am |
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| camelman Member Since: 27 Feb 2013 Location: Peak District Posts: 3372
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What are you looking for out of the suspension over and above genuine?
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11th Apr 2023 8:01am |
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| kenzle8a Member Since: 12 Feb 2020 Location: None Posts: 1074 
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I did 20k miles with the Bilsteins mostly on road and off on tracks on the farm in my 110. They were pretty harsh and could have been better imo.
Given the choice again I would pay the mega extra go Fox with remote reservoirs from Prolinx as they are the distributor. https://www.prolinx.biz/Catalogue/Shock-Ab...ver-Shocks |
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11th Apr 2023 8:36am |
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| Linds Hanson Member Since: 16 Jan 2021 Location: Cornwall Posts: 486
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Fox give a better ride qaulity than Bilstein and are rebuildable similar handling
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11th Apr 2023 9:28am |
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| Bazarre13 Member Since: 31 Aug 2022 Location: London Posts: 21
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Thanks for the comments.
Camelman - as I have no real frame of reference on Defender 'handling' I am simply looking for the best on-road handling available which is still very good for the odd bit of off-road (which I wouldn't imagine to be too extreme). I think the roll-bars on mine are also original (OEM?) as they look pretty thin in comparison to some HD ones I've seen pictured i.e. on Urban (H&R ones with the springs and B6s for their handling pack) which also seem heavier than the Alive Eibachs. Really just trying to buy the best handling combination I can afford and (hopefully) not have to revisit it too soon or regret it later. Thanks for the link lord-haggis and comment Linds. All very helpful. Bazarre13 Learning to live with a Defender in London MY2016 110 XS SW Black Pack in Indus Grey |
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11th Apr 2023 10:00am |
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| ashcurrie Member Since: 26 Jan 2017 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 60 
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Hello, PM inbound RE the ARB bull bar! 1992 Defender 90 SW 200Tdi
2008 Defender 110 USW |
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11th Apr 2023 10:33am |
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| Nickellese00 Member Since: 23 Oct 2022 Location: Wilsthire Posts: 5 
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I updated my original suspension at the start of year to Alive standard height comfort springs, the Fox shock package plus the super pro bush kit.
I was desperate for some ride comfort as I purchased it with twisted 18's on lowered springs, fine for handling but uncomfortable for everything else. I would say it has been improved but not necessarily night and day. I suppose what I'm saying is, based on my limited experience, I wouldn't expect to be able to 'feel' a big difference between the two options. Having said all that, I drive a 90, perhaps more weight from the 110 would make the difference more pronounced. |
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11th Apr 2023 11:37am |
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| Linds Hanson Member Since: 16 Jan 2021 Location: Cornwall Posts: 486
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Forget larger rear roll bars if you intend going off road at all even just bumpy farm tracks
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11th Apr 2023 2:29pm |
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| andy2111 Member Since: 17 Oct 2021 Location: Kent Posts: 365 
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I am booked in at Alive in May for a GTB450 upgrade and new springs/shocks
When I spoke to them they recomended standard height comfort springs and Bilstein shocks for my 110 HT - but said we could discuss in more detail and decide when I drop it off. This surprised me as everything I have read suggests Fox (apart from the price) and I can even see someone from Alive in an old forum post recommending Fox. Like the OP, I am 90% on road with occasional light greenlaning/offroading. TD5 hardtop to Puma inspired Poptop - my build thread 2002 110 TD5 Hardtop ¦ Full Puma interior ¦ Carpathian grey / Santorini black ¦ X-Vision-X poptop |
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11th Apr 2023 3:09pm |
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| Bazarre13 Member Since: 31 Aug 2022 Location: London Posts: 21
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Noted on the rear rolll bar thanks Linds.
Appreciate the experiencial advice, Nickellese00 and steveww. andy2111 I have had a few very helpful discussions with Alive including at LRO Peterborough and while most people generally referred to Fox as the best, Alive suggested Bilstein or to wait for their tuned version of the Bilstein, which I see became available recently at a price-point of £630 so relatively close to the Fox price and now back-order. Somewhat contributing to my confusion. I think I am going to go the route of SuperPro throughout, Fox (they are just too beautiful) and springs subject to further research but can't be yellow so tending to Alive standard height, to be fitted all at the same time (maybe by me if I trust myself enough  ).
Continued thanks everyone. Bazarre13 Learning to live with a Defender in London MY2016 110 XS SW Black Pack in Indus Grey |
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11th Apr 2023 3:38pm |
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| andy2111 Member Since: 17 Oct 2021 Location: Kent Posts: 365
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I'd not noticed that Alive released their own shocks.. their website is a bit light on detail and they say they are meant to sit "between Bilstein and Fox" but, as you say, the price is much closer to Fox so I'm not sure if I'd risk saving a few quid given how much I'm spending on the overall job.. TD5 hardtop to Puma inspired Poptop - my build thread
2002 110 TD5 Hardtop ¦ Full Puma interior ¦ Carpathian grey / Santorini black ¦ X-Vision-X poptop |
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11th Apr 2023 5:29pm |
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| kenzle8a Member Since: 12 Feb 2020 Location: None Posts: 1074
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I wonder how close they are too these
https://www.4x4proyect.com/parts/bilstein-...ock-kit/en |
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11th Apr 2023 6:44pm |
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| Bazarre13 Member Since: 31 Aug 2022 Location: London Posts: 21
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Thanks lord-haggis, I haven’t seen those before, very nice and now part of the research!? Bazarre13
Learning to live with a Defender in London MY2016 110 XS SW Black Pack in Indus Grey |
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12th Apr 2023 6:49am |
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| jst Member Since: 14 Jan 2008 Location: Taunton Posts: 8032 
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Or for o erland8ng try std springs and old man emu shocks. Cheers
James 110 2012 XS Utility 130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper 90 2010 Hardtop 90 M57 1988 Hardtop |
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12th Apr 2023 8:39pm |
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