How can I soften the suspension on my T5 minibus?

Can I do anything to soften the ride on my recently bought 2011 Volkswagen Transporter minibus? It is the nine seater basic model, which I bought in France.

The front seats are OK and the middle seats are not too bad, but the rear bench of three is very shaky. Can I change the suspension system/shock absorbers (maybe for the Caravelle one?) and if so which one(s) and how much might that cost?

Asked on 13 August 2013 by corfou2505

Answered by Honest John
I guess this is a LWD Transporter built to carry a higher payload than your previous Caravelle. In theory you could change the springs and dampers and tyre pressures, but this may have insurance implications.

We were testing a range of MPVs and Minibuses yesterday and it was noticeable that the nine seaters were much harsher than the seven seaters, presumably because they were built to carry an extra 200kg of passengers and luggage.
Similar questions
I have a 2008 Volvo S80 D5. Overall I'm happy with it except for the ride quality, the soft suspension may be good for absorbing bumps but it also causes the car to bounce around giving a fidgety ride....
I have an Audi A1 1.6 TDI Sport which is well built, lively and economical. The only downside is the firm suspension which is not suited to the poor quality of my local roads. Is it possible to modify...
I have a 1953 Morris Oxford MO which, as a historic vehicle, is MoT exempt. I would like to replace the original engine (now dead) to a more reliable and powerful one, maybe a V8 with updated suspension,...
 

Ask Honest John

Value my car

Save £75 on Warranty using code HJ75

with MotorEasy

Get a warranty quote

Save 10% on GAP Insurance

Use HJ10 to save on an ALA policy

See offer