H&R Springs for 855t

[JRL]

They're not that much anymore
About $180 ea. from Tasca Volvo parts
Your choice, it will handle better with standard shocks and springs but you will lose the adjustable ride height feature

[firebrick]

"it will handle better with standard shocks" Would it be that much noticeable difference in handling quality? Also, I assume my shocks are done even if they are Nivomat, correct?

[hrahn]

My old Nivos still had some life left in them at 257.000km when I threw them out. Installed normal springs, seats and dampers just to find the car actually handled WORSE! Nivos are great dampers, but they too do age. If you get quality new dampers (i.e. Sachs Advantage, Koni FSD, Bilstein B6) the handling will improve, but new Nivos will handle as well as those AND give you the better handling when carrying loads-of-stuff
They aren't cheap though, don't mistake the Monroe ride leveller system for Sachs Nivomats - the Monroe system needs an external air pump to adjust ride height, Nivos are a closed system and self-levelling (just drive a few meters and they set themselves). Due to their system you cannot test them while they are out of the car though, they won't compress like normal dampers! There are instructions from Volvo on how to test them (load the car, ride over a bumpy surface for x time, then measure ride heigt, should've adjusted by atleast xx mm, if not they are shot).

Also, to improve the ride first get a shot at the linkage of the rear axle. They are a pita to change, but the ride and especially the roadholding will improve extremely when they are replaced!