Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Nextgen on 13 March 2007, 10:21:47

Title: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: Nextgen on 13 March 2007, 10:21:47
Hi all, great forum! i've been hanging about "elsewhere" on the web, but finally found this... with some old faces.

My question is fairly specific:

1998 MV6 Irmscher Estate: Has the factory lowered front end on it.
Are the shocks different (or is it the spring length or both)?

I'm after a good replacement MV6 shock to replace the completely knackered fronts  - the're noisy, and driving over speedbumps is an "education" in seasickness. Oh, and i've got an MOT coming up...

Nice and stiff would be good - Bilsteins?? or does any other company do after-markets.

Cheers and thanks in anticipation,
Edwin
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: Admin on 13 March 2007, 14:53:07
Bilsteins are what I have got for the MV6 Saloon.
Their OE replacement are both better and cheaper than the genuine Vx ones.

I recommend Balance Motorsport. www.balancemotorsport.co.uk

Oh and good to see you again! :)
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: Nextgen on 13 March 2007, 15:42:24
Had a look at the rather cool Balance motorsport site - great site!



I have been told that the MV6 Shocks have OEM Part numbers:
LH side 9192291 and RH 9192292 - This right??????

(supposedly) Trade Club price £44.60 exc VAT

B4 Shocks from Balance, Don't match the OEM part numbers above

The shocks apparently replace OEM Codes:

OPEL      344227
OPEL       344236
OPEL       904 47 371
OPEL       904 47 378
OPEL       90496023

46.26 Inc VAT

Any thoughts od advice greatly apreciated,
Edwin
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 13 March 2007, 17:30:05
The thing here is that the MV6 is lowered by the shocks although In laidback66's case this is now done via the Irmscher springs...

So I would say you have two options:

1) Vx shocks....

2) Rear lowering springs and Bilstein OEM shocks....

Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: Nextgen on 13 March 2007, 19:06:03
Aha! - Gotcha.

Let me just check:
MV6 front  and rear is lowered by the shocks, the Irmscher MV6 has GM springs and specific MV6 GM shocks *not* Irmscher springs??

 - Or is it that only the rears are lowered by the shocks, and the front is dropped by the springs and can use standard shocks?


Laidback's MV6 has got Bilstein OEM replacements for non MV6 shocks, and hence would not be lowered, but he has Irmscher Lowering springs (aftermarket?) which drop it back to where it would be.


Would that explain why the rear end of my estate seems a little high in the air (I've tested the auto leveling which works and brings it back to that level) if the shocks have been replaced with "Non MV6" Items, but have the original springs?

GM shocks for the front end I think as otherwise I'd have to buy some new springs, then Lowering springs for the rear (30mm was MV6 standard?????) to go with the standard shocks????

Cheers for answers,
Edwin
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: TheBoy on 13 March 2007, 19:36:26
Quote
Aha! - Gotcha.

Let me just check:
MV6 front  and rear is lowered by the shocks, the Irmscher MV6 has GM springs and specific MV6 GM shocks *not* Irmscher springs??

 - Or is it that only the rears are lowered by the shocks, and the front is dropped by the springs and can use standard shocks?


Laidback's MV6 has got Bilstein OEM replacements for non MV6 shocks, and hence would not be lowered, but he has Irmscher Lowering springs (aftermarket?) which drop it back to where it would be.


Would that explain why the rear end of my estate seems a little high in the air (I've tested the auto leveling which works and brings it back to that level) if the shocks have been replaced with "Non MV6" Items, but have the original springs?

GM shocks for the front end I think as otherwise I'd have to buy some new springs, then Lowering springs for the rear (30mm was MV6 standard?????) to go with the standard shocks????

Cheers for answers,
Edwin
There is no such thing as an Irmscher MV6.  There is an MV6 that may be loaded with any number of Irmscher goodies, which may or may not include Irmscher springs....   ....you need to check exactly what you have on...
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: Nextgen on 13 March 2007, 19:41:29
Gotcha. I've been trying to clarify that for ages "elsewhere" - My misunderstanding, and apologies for time wasted!

Its a factory MV6, that has had what looks like *all* of the listed Irmscher body parts (and at one point had the exhaust) and wheels stuck on it. All the muppets advertising "Irmscher MV6"'s on ebay have had me nicely mislead -I guess I was thinking it was something like the Lotus Carlton, but Germanic in nature...;-)

Any way of easily identifying Irmscher springs from GM parts (sorry if thats a stupid question)???


Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 13 March 2007, 19:43:13
Yes.....there red....and very good to...
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: Nextgen on 13 March 2007, 19:46:51
Oh. All my springs are Red....  Should I be rejoicing?
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: TheBoy on 13 March 2007, 19:50:06
Quote
Oh. All my springs are Red....  Should I be rejoicing?
Sounds like Irmscher springs :y
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 13 March 2007, 19:53:04
Thats a good start....so you can go Bilstein OEM......

You will loose the self leveling rear but, thats no big deal as it will currently be canceling out the 30mm spring drop!
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: Nextgen on 14 March 2007, 09:57:08
I'm guessing that you can't just get the rear back to original height by adjusting the length of the link rod to the sensor switch? I'm guessing that the self leveling shocks will be set for an intrinsicly higher ride height regardless of the pressure in them..... I'm guessing here completely, as I'm more an engine and electrics person.... suspension is a whole new world of scraped knuckles....!
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: theolodian on 14 March 2007, 10:11:27
Quote
I'm guessing that you can't just get the rear back to original height by adjusting the length of the link rod to the sensor switch? I'm guessing that the self leveling shocks will be set for an intrinsicly higher ride height regardless of the pressure in them..... I'm guessing here completely, as I'm more an engine and electrics person.... suspension is a whole new world of scraped knuckles....!
According to past discussion on here there is some adjustability in the sensor.  However, I have no idea how much.
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: Nextgen on 14 March 2007, 14:59:32
One set of front B4's in the process of bring ordered: just waiting for a price for the dust covers... anyone know if i can use some new GM parts instead of bilsteins own?

Thanks for all the help!
Edwin
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: theolodian on 14 March 2007, 15:21:17
Quote
One set of front B4's in the process of bring ordered: just waiting for a price for the dust covers... anyone know if i can use some new GM parts instead of bilsteins own?

Thanks for all the help!
Edwin
Please keep us posted.  I am about to order B4's as well, need them by the end of next week.  I haven't looked at my old dust covers yet.  Are you replacing anything else?
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: Nextgen on 14 March 2007, 15:28:20
Did wishbones last week, got an Idler arm to do as well.... MOT expired!!
Dust covers are shot to hell and fell off!
Only doing fronts for the moment (payday next week ish so might do more then).
Lots of speedbumps around here...
B4's may have an order lead on them, you might have fun getting them by the end of the week - give them a ring, the chap i spoke to couldn't have been more helpful.

Edwin
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: theolodian on 14 March 2007, 15:30:52
Quote
Did wishbones last week, got an Idler arm to do as well.... MOT expired!!
Dust covers are shot to hell and fell off!
Only doing fronts for the moment (payday next week ish so might do more then).
Lots of speedbumps around here...
B4's may have an order lead on them, you might have fun getting them by the end of the week - give them a ring, the chap i spoke to couldn't have been more helpful.

Edwin
Yeah, just talked to him.  Said should be in by Friday if order today, but might go awry.  I need this thing to stop bouncing off the road b4 Easter holiday.
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: Nextgen on 14 March 2007, 15:38:52
Also desparate here, just tried ringing again as he was going to get a price and an order code for the website for the dust covers.....

....And no-one there!


If you get through again to order, give 'im a poke!
Cheers,
Edwin
Grr... ish...

Edwin
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: theolodian on 14 March 2007, 15:42:43
Quote
Also desparate here, just tried ringing again as he was going to get a price and an order code for the website for the dust covers.....

....And no-one there!


If you get through again to order, give 'im a poke!
Cheers,
Edwin
Grr... ish...

Edwin
I just ordered online, free shipping.   ;)

The part number for the dust covers should be ASP-C245.  Maybe someone has some used ones lying about?
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: Nextgen on 14 March 2007, 15:51:57
Just got an email from the chap - nice guy, mentioned something about a forum... :y

I need all the parts at once - the part number is ok, its just its not on the website (nor has a price), so no online order (yet),  so I'm got to going to hang on for the boots!

Edwin
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: theolodian on 14 March 2007, 16:00:04
Quote
Just got an email from the chap - nice guy, mentioned something about a forum... :y

I need all the parts at once - the part number is ok, its just its not on the website (nor has a price), so no online order (yet),  so I'm got to going to hang on for the boots!

Edwin
I can't wait.  Only chance is next weekend while the g/f is out of town.  ;)
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: Nextgen on 15 March 2007, 07:15:25
Ordered and done: - here's a link to the dust covers:
Not cheap, but very worthwhile...


http://www.balancemotorsport.co.uk/products.asp?recnumber=84939


Now where's the best place to get the knuckle bolts....?  ;)
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: Nextgen on 16 March 2007, 09:31:41
Wahoo, they'll be here........ Thursday  :o

long order for odd parts I'd guess...

Can't wait to fix the  "seaborn sofa" feeling...
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: omegaV6CD on 17 March 2007, 10:43:02
So did anyone fit the B4's so far? what are your impressions?
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: Elite Pete on 21 March 2007, 08:54:09
Would these shocks be ok for the back of my Elite Estate which I tow the caravan with or am I better sticking with the self levelling ones.
Title: Re: MV6 Irmscher Estate Replacement Shocks
Post by: theolodian on 21 March 2007, 09:28:14
Quote
Would these shocks be ok for the back of my Elite Estate which I tow the caravan with or am I better sticking with the self levelling ones.
I would stick with the self levelling ones.  The last thing you want on an estate is the back end drooping down so that you can't see out of the center mirror.

You want my old ones?   :P  You could mount them next to Bilsteins.  The air levelling works great, and they won't affect the damping at all.   ::)