Originally posted by Ed98.5SVT:
Well, I need some feedback. My car has 96,500 miles on it and I barely passed inspection due to the rear struts starting to leak. I will need to replace them before next year's inspection (August). I also just noticed I have a broken rear spring. Some other things you need to know.

1. My front springs are only 2 years old . They were replaced (OEM) when one broke going over a speed bump.
2. All struts are original.
3. I loved the way my car handled when new.
4. Everything else seems to be OK with the car.

So...... What option should I pick? Remember the car will be 8 years old and be turning 100,000 pretty soon.

1. Replace all 4 struts and the REAR springs with factory parts.
2. Replace the REAR struts and springs with factory parts.
3. Replace all 4 struts and springs with aftermarket (Possibly BAT).

Decisions Decisions....



Reference bold text above:

Replace your worn bushings on your front and rear swaybars, and rear control arms. Replace your front lower control arms. Replace your upper strut mounts front and rear. If you are smart you will do all of this stuff anyway no matter what struts/springs you pick.

After that, I'll be the lonely voice telling you to replace all 4 struts with new OEM SVT struts, and replacing your rear springs as a pair with OEM springs. Front springs should be fine.

Not only is this the cheapest route, but if you truly loved the way the car felt and handled when new, any aftermarket springs are going to make it feel too harsh.

If you want to upgrade but keep your ride comfort nice, stick with OEM springs but upgrade the struts. I'd recommend the Konis, here, or the BAT struts. Bilsteins are good, but I'd personally be afraid of them jacking up my ride height too much, esp. with stock springs.

After that, I'd say BAT kit as the most mild improvement over stock without sacrificing too much comfort.

I have Koni/Roush and the handling is great but the ride is noticeably harsher than stock, esp on bad street surfaces.

Function before fashion. '96 Contour SE "Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998