Comfort suspension - 1996 855R

[NotaV70]

Ladies and gentlemen of the forums, I’ve been surfing these forums for a while and have used the infinite knowledge found here to improve and repair my Volvo for a few years. I have been looking on some of these forums to find a thread that matched what I’m looking for but can’t seem to find anything.
I have been wanting to modify my suspension a bit to make it more comfortable. The car is a 96’ 850R Estate that sits on IPD blue springs, Billstine front, and Koni rears (or maybe vice versa). I bought the car with this setup a little over 5 years ago and now that the shocks are gone I’ve decided to replace all of it with a more comfortable setup.
I currently commute to university and work (both ~25min, majority highway) as well as the occasional family trip so I’m looking for something smooth. I’m looking to replace everything: shocks, springs, and any rubber components. BC has some good stuff but they tend to be more performance oriented. IPD suffers from the same problem. Any recommendations or experience?
Thank you all!

[Sveedy]

Welcome !
Others will no doubt have opinions about this, but I think the main reason for your poor ride are the blue springs. Ditch them.
Most ride comfort would probably be achieved with stock springs, Sach struts, and Bilstein shocks.

[NotaV70]

Thank you!
I figured as much, the blue springs look nice but they are not particularly amazing on my back…
By stocks are you referring to the standard “R” springs or something off the GLT or Turbo? Heck, come to think of it I think I have a set of R springs in a box somewhere.
The previous owner had mentioned something about the Billsteins being adjustable however I think they are blown. They seem to bottom out on a lot of bridge transitions.

[BlackBart]

Totally agree with Sveedy - you have stiff aftermarket sport springs, stiff unforgiving Bilstein shocks. Not a "comfort" setup.

You could go back to stock R springs, which are still probably lowish and stiff, or standard V70 springs.

[V50M66]

The most comfortable setup on these cars that I've experienced is Bilstein B4 shocks/struts and H&R 29955 lowering springs. Rides better than stock, looks great, and handles fantastically. By far the best setup for P80.

Screenshot 2025-06-05 225730.png (1.63 MiB) Viewed 498 times

[NotaV70]

BlackBart, yeah I have felt every bump on the road. I assume you’re referring to the P80 V70, is there a difference between the 850 and V70 suspension?

[NotaV70]

V50M66, if it’s comfortable and looks that good I might have to copy that setup. From what I can gather the Billstein “comfort” shocks are what I need. I gave the H&R 29955 a Google and it looks like there is a few different variants, any idea which one you’ve got? Also what sway bars and tires were you running on it?
It’s a sharp looking ride!

[Sveedy]

The most comfortable setup on these cars that I've experienced is Bilstein B4 shocks/struts and H&R 29955 lowering springs. Rides better than stock, looks great, and handles fantastically. By far the best setup for P80.
Screenshot 2025-06-05 225730.png

That is a beautiful car !!

[V50M66]

P80 V70 uses the same suspension as 850. Note that factory springs are awful and ride like garbage because they’re under wayyyy too much preload.

You’ll want the H&R spring variant that is for non-Nivomat (not self-leveling) shocks.

Regular Bilstein B4 (black body) are what you want for shocks. Not B6 or HD (yellow body) - those ride like crap.

Being that you have an R, you already have the best sway bars for handling from the factory. Don’t touch them.

I run Vredestein Hypertrac in the summer months and Nokian WRG4 in the winter.

Thanks guys! It’s been a long road to get that car to this point.