MK 2 GTI Suspension

[ozvino]

Guys, another Question - MK2 GTI Suspension.

Want to maintain the stock/factory ride height; don't mind a set-up that's a little stiffer than factory. My car has the factory setup in it, its old and tired. Not really looking at coil overs at this stage, was thinking of new shocks and springs ( I had Bilstein or Koni in mind?).

Lots of reasonably priced kits available O/S, especially in the USA; cant seem to find anything local. I assume the sheer weight of suspension kits rule out importing them from the USA

Any suggestions on what my options are ? Any suggestions on what I should be paying to have front/rear shocks and springs supplied and fitted ?

Cheers

Dave

[Golf Loon]

You will pay $150 per corner locally for bilstein or similar shocks. By the time you buy some springs too, you could have bought some budget coilovers and set the height yourself.

[Jarred]

Shipping from OS might not be as bad as you expect. I got a quote for some front only koni shocks for aroud 270 US landed.

I think you'll find that higher end shocks (konis bilsteins) will often say that they're suited to lowered springs, even if that means only slightly lowered (say an 1" kinda thing)

I've just got some springs in mine atm, but I'll be getting the Koni's sent over soon. Perhaps sachs/boge will do a more aggressive than OEM shock, that'll still be standard travel. Having said that, I think a 30mm springs & some good shocks will handle beautifully! and still maintain a reasonably stock appearance. (but all depends on money at the end of the day)

[sports racer]

Why do you want to replace the springs? Just get new shocks.

Cheers

Paul

[VwJunkie]

Why do you want to replace the springs? Just get new shocks.

Cheers

Paul

Second that, i got 4 KYB shocks from the states for 240 AUSD landed and they are pretty good shocks, i got them on 35mm lowered H&R springs, not too low, improved handling alot! Look the KYB ones up on ebay, i can give you the seller ID if you want, postage was heaps fast too

[ozvino]

Loon - Point taken regarding the coil overs. My only angst would be the car is no longer "original"....but I'll keep it in mind

I was thinking if I was going to the bother of doing the shocks I may as well do the springs but it turns out they are expensive so maybe I will just look at shocks at this stage.

VWJunkie; looked at the KYB shocks, proces on US Enbay seem great but postage seemed outrageous. Wouldnt mind the ID of the guy you bought from. Ive got a November 1990 build car, did the shocks change in 1990 or do all MK2's have the same setup ? ive noticed two types seem to be available, would appreciate any comments

Cheers

Dave

[benough]

ozvino.

I saw these on ECS tuning.

Supposedly they are the OEM replacements for the MK2

http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Golf_II--8v/Suspension/Shocks/ES251013/

http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Golf_II--8v/Suspension/Shocks/ES7022/

Or you could do the whole thing?

http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-Golf_II--8v/Suspension/OEM/

[VwJunkie]

Loon - Point taken regarding the coil overs. My only angst would be the car is no longer "original"....but I'll keep it in mind

I was thinking if I was going to the bother of doing the shocks I may as well do the springs but it turns out they are expensive so maybe I will just look at shocks at this stage.

VWJunkie; looked at the KYB shocks, proces on US Enbay seem great but postage seemed outrageous. Wouldnt mind the ID of the guy you bought from. Ive got a November 1990 build car, did the shocks change in 1990 or do all MK2's have the same setup ? ive noticed two types seem to be available, would appreciate any comments

Cheers

Dave

Hey Dave,

Here is the link to the shocks that i bought, postage was good and fast.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150295767877&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

There are 2 types coz the new model cars have a removable lower spring seat while the other didnt....

Hope this helps, Stefan

[ozvino]

Ive decided to go with (locally sourced) Bilstein's; Im having the lower arm bushes done this week, the car will be pulled apart so it made sense to go ahead and replace the shockers now...

Thanks everyone for the advice, much appreciated...

Dave

[benough]

So what Bilsteins did you end up getting?

You get springs as well?