12-10-2018, 04:26 PM
I don't think the heater matrix is a particularly nice job to do. The dash has to come out which means lots of awkward bolts to remove and a lot of other stuff to unplug. I think the book time for an experienced mechanic is about 6 hours, so first time it's likely to take me 3 times as long! There are some good guides on the web which explain some of the pitfalls. The first thing to know is that air con and non-air con models had different heater boxes and different matrix's.
I'm no expert on the shocks/springs. I do know many others go for Bilstein B6's, which are a slightly stiffer shock than OEM which are designed to work with slightly lowered suspension. Many seem to go for -30mm Eilbach springs. Personally, I'm planning to stay at standard height as I'm not taking the car on track and drive on quite a few crappy roads. I've got some genuine Peugeot springs and Bilstein B4's (OEM equivalent) to go on. The springs aren't cheap from Peugeot. Soon after I got the S-reg red XSi about 3 years ago though I decided the suspension was tired and put on some Sachs springs with (I think) Monroe shocks. It wasn't a good combination from day 1. Apart from anything the front didn't sit at the right height. Some investigation revealed that the springs from various aftermarket manufacturers are often different lengths and different gauge of steel from OEM spec!
As for the gearbox, £350 may be steep but I know Gloucester Rd Gearboxes in Bristol have a good reputation. Some gears were getting difficult to engage and although it could have been the clutch or cable at fault, the fact that the oil looked like silver metallic paint when I drained it from the box made me think otherwise! Which reminds me ...it will also be getting a new clutch, cable and the fancy linkages you've been discussing above!
I'm no expert on the shocks/springs. I do know many others go for Bilstein B6's, which are a slightly stiffer shock than OEM which are designed to work with slightly lowered suspension. Many seem to go for -30mm Eilbach springs. Personally, I'm planning to stay at standard height as I'm not taking the car on track and drive on quite a few crappy roads. I've got some genuine Peugeot springs and Bilstein B4's (OEM equivalent) to go on. The springs aren't cheap from Peugeot. Soon after I got the S-reg red XSi about 3 years ago though I decided the suspension was tired and put on some Sachs springs with (I think) Monroe shocks. It wasn't a good combination from day 1. Apart from anything the front didn't sit at the right height. Some investigation revealed that the springs from various aftermarket manufacturers are often different lengths and different gauge of steel from OEM spec!
As for the gearbox, £350 may be steep but I know Gloucester Rd Gearboxes in Bristol have a good reputation. Some gears were getting difficult to engage and although it could have been the clutch or cable at fault, the fact that the oil looked like silver metallic paint when I drained it from the box made me think otherwise! Which reminds me ...it will also be getting a new clutch, cable and the fancy linkages you've been discussing above!