lowering my mk1

[lawny]

just want everyones opinion on the lowering of the mk1. i dont want to go too low but how much lower to go i dont know 2" or 3"? what is a reasonable price to be charged and what should i be getting done? i got quoted $420 from a local suspension joint and this was just lowered springs and wheel alignment.

does this sound right?

[Mika]

just want everyones opinion on the lowering of the mk1. i dont want to go too low but how much lower to go i dont know 2" or 3"? what is a reasonable price to be charged and what should i be getting done? i got quoted $420 from a local suspension joint and this was just lowered springs and wheel alignment.

does this sound right?

Sounds about right...I got quoted around $90 an end for springs from a mate at repco, pedders charge about $120 and end for fitment, then add $40-60 for an alignment.

To be honest, it's a fairly simple job to do yourself if you're willing to give it a go.

[Jarred]

I agree, it's a simple job, can be done with modest tools and a can do attitude, but if that's not for you, then 400 sounds OK to mee (providing that's including the springs..)

2" really isn't that big of a drop. I'd be looking to get 3". Infact, I'd recommend you get wheels first, and then suspension, cause then depending on the size and fitment of the wheels you can get whatever is needed.

[Brisben]

Yeah this is what you want mate, proper drop..Coilovers worth spending a little extra and having adjustable ride height.

[WABIT]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^

FAT!

dom

[GoLfMan]

i recommend that you get coilovers too, hot tunings are reasonably priced and you can decide what height you want it!

also its a REALLY easy job to do yourself if you have some mechanical mindedness

[Brisben]

i recommend that you get coilovers too, hot tunings are reasonably priced and you can decide what height you want it!

also its a REALLY easy job to do yourself if you have some mechanical mindedness

The fronts are a bit of a pig to fit as you need coil spring tensioners, but certainly do-able.

[lawny]

alright so i have a question for you all... i have to decide, compress my springs or coilovers?? my main question is, do u actually get a better comfier ride using the coilovers or is the only real advantage of coilovers the fact that you can change your ride height? i am only lowering for looks, it isnt as though i am about to take the diesel down to a track day and race it around a track. so i dont need to change the ride height really at all once it is set.

so... am i just wasting my money getting coilovers or can someone explain the advantages to me a little better.

cheers

[Jarred]

coilovers have adjustability, and are 'safer' than chopped/really short springs, which sometimes could fall out of the spring seats if you're doing some crazy driving.

that's in 1 sentence atleast, lots of people will have varying opinions. my coilovers aren't comfortable, but then again, i didn't lower my car to be comfy, I can make do with it. I also don't have to drive too far everyday. all things to think about

[AUC-05L]

if you lower it too much it gets REALLY bumpy, to the point where i actually started feeling sick after a drive.....plus it scrapes and bottoms out all the time so you cant go fast.

this is my experience anyway......

[Jarred]

if you lower it too much it gets REALLY bumpy, to the point where i actually started feeling sick after a drive.....plus it scrapes and bottoms out all the time so you cant go fast.

this is my experience anyway......

how much are you talking about lowering? mine's lowered a truck load, and i hardly ever scrape and bottom out. i've only hit bump stops about 3 or 4 times, in as many months being low.

feeling sick has also got to do with what tyres you run. the coils are really stiff, and on 15's with 45 profile, it's a stiff, but not sickening ride, on 14's with 60 profiles it's actually alot comfier, and on 13' with 75-80 profile (stockies) it can kinda feel like being on teh sea, due to the only movement being in the sidewall of the tyre (mainly) feels kinda wallow-y and a little sickening for those who aren't used to it.

there's lots of variables that makes things 'really bumpy', is what i'm trying to get at. out of curiosity, AUC05L, what setup did the mk 1 that you're basing your opinion on, have. (or whose car was it?) Please note, i'm not having a go at you.

[lawny]

and on 13' with 75-80 profile (stockies) it can kinda feel like being on teh sea, due to the only movement being in the sidewall of the tyre (mainly) feels kinda wallow-y and a little sickening for those who aren't used to it.

i am running the stock tyres with the 13"phonedials i bought. so does this mean go for the coilovers or spring compression?

[revnit]

If i was running 13" rims and not looking to upgrade id just drop in a set of King springs to lower it even if you plan to up size wheels and tires the car will still sit reasonably low ( you can always ryobi tune them ) if your looking at handling side of things bit of fun in the twisty stuff coilovers are the only way to go being a diesel you might have to look into front and rear sways bars to get the best benefits.

[lawny]

yeah it already has front and rear sway bars fitted, sounding like i should just go the lowered springs then

[Gipson]

ive fitted coils on mine lawny put them in recently and very happy with the results, will only take you a morning or so to fit and dont make the car unbearable to drive. it really depends how often you drive your mk1, i only take mine out when its sunny and usually only down to work so its not getting a huge amount of ks on the coilovers, saying that my stock suspension was very boaty and soft and the firmer ride on the coils feels alot more comfortable to me.

I originally didnt like the coils because it sounded as though the rear was scrubbing on bigger bumps, however it turned out that my tailgate would bottom itself out on the metal making a crunching sound, some rubber in between got rid of it and havent had any problems since.

i havent had a ride in a mk1 with lowered or compressed springs but i cant see there would be a hell of a lot of difference in the firmness of the ride. perhaps take a spin in a car with coils and a car with springs if there is some guys local to you willing to help out?