Shock and spring combos

[McDub]

I was gonna get some bilstein pss-9 coilovers from ecs, but after the dollar dropped to the US, the group buy fell through, my gearbox started showing signs of an impending rebuild, and a few other things..... i've decided to be a bit more responsible with my hard earned cash!

Could people reccomend some setups for my gti?
It's a bit harder shopping for shock and spring combos... as opposed to coilovers

I don't want to track the car, but i would ideally like it around 30mm lower all round with a firm but not uncomfortable ride.
I say 30mm because i don't plan on upgrading my front sway bar for rubbing issues (only plan to add a rear s.b)
But also, i've measured the current clearance of my sump with stock gti suspension and it is approx 130mm off the ground, and i want to keep it as close to legal as possible (i.e not below 100mm height)

I also do not want the total to be over $1000 as I want to avoid paying gst and import duty.

Here is one option i've looked at:
Home Page > ES#6362 Touring Cup Kit - 31046T-4 H&R's Touring Cup Kits
Average lowering of 1.5"F 1.4"R
Though cost is USD$620.10 +$234.68 shipping which is very close to AUD$1000...

Also, 1.5" is 38mm, so i'm thinking it might take my car a touch below legal
Do you think i would run into rub issues with the front axle?


And can anyone suggest other sites to buy some kits from? I wonder if due to the dollar at the moment, it would be cheaper to buy things from the UK or europe...

Thanks

[Treza360]

Koni Yellow adjustables and H&R sports springs. You can still adjust the damping to suit your driving and you should get approximately the drop you're after with the springs.
Where from, sorry I can't help you there.
Cheers,
Trent

[TazzyVR6]

You have to be a bit warey of what the claim drop is too, my Eibach Pro-Kit although a claimed 30mm drop is actually only 15mm drop due to the gti already being 15mm lower. I've wondered too, if you get H&R would they cause rubbing on the sway bar? I've got Bilstien B8 shocks, they are great with the Eibach springs

[dylan8]

also remember the '30mm drop' maybe have been measured on a new golf. where as yours may have sagged over time, so you may only get 20mm for example?
also at worst if your finding it does rub, get longer end links rather then a new sway bar, works out a lot cheaper, especially if your paying someone to install the bar
Silver Dub has a 40mm drop (i think) on his bora and i think its perfect, 30mm JUST isn't enough IMO

[McDub]

thanks for the advice, i'm pretty much sold on the H&R sports springs, as they seem the best compromise for height.
i reckon the claimed 38F 35R will probably end up being 25mm lower than how the car currently is... which i'd be happy with, especially for a DD.
i'd consider the yellow koni shocks, though that will send the price including shipping a bit over a grand (using tyre rack)
think i'll end up going with the H&R touring cup kit (it comes with the H&R sport springs)

i've tried to find photos of this on MKIV's but can only see it on 5's and 6's


edit: found one with the touring cup kit. could be a touch lower, although this pic has been taken quite low down so it's not the angle you would actually look at the car from.

[TazzyVR6]

Silver Dub has a 40mm drop (i think) on his bora and i think its perfect, 30mm JUST isn't enough IMO

Yep if I could do it again I'd go H&R sport springs with Bilstien shocks. I wish mine was a bit lower, but I just make it up the driveway now so it's a hard decision. I think I'll change to H&R after I've finished the rest of the car, but I'm very happy with the setup now! Here is a pic of the GTI with Eibach Pro-Kit...

[BI65ND]

I bought my set from England recently, yet to get them fitted though. I got a set of Weitec coilovers, height adjustable but no dampner adjustment. It cost $830AUD delivered, but I also got some other bits and pieces sent with them so it worked out at pretty much bang on $1000. Couldnt tell you what theyre like yet, hopefully should be getting them on this wkend. Check out awesome-gti.co.uk, really helpful staff and great communication.
I know tirerack did have a sale on not too long ago for the full Koni spring and shock combo, which was $545 US which were about the 30mm you were looking at. And you dont need to change the sway bar with that kit, so could be a touch higher than the H&R cup kit.

[gavs]

I know exactly what the response is going to be around my setup, but as people who were on the maroondah dam cruise last december will attest to, it obviously works.

I am running custom King springs along with KYB AGX shocks. I really cannot fault this setup other than I might look at getting the springs re-done to make them a bit tighter now that they are bedded in with the shocks.

I generally run the shocks on the hardest setting unless on a really bad road (which there are many in Melbourne, thank you Mr Brumby....) but even then, I mostly just put up with it....

[McDub]

yep, KYB AGX shocks are another option i'm considering, though te kit with them and the HnR springs won't make it to my door for under a grand...

[BI65ND]

I know exactly what the response is going to be around my setup, but as people who were on the maroondah dam cruise last december will attest to, it obviously works.

I am running custom King springs along with KYB AGX shocks. I really cannot fault this setup other than I might look at getting the springs re-done to make them a bit tighter now that they are bedded in with the shocks.

I generally run the shocks on the hardest setting unless on a really bad road (which there are many in Melbourne, thank you Mr Brumby....) but even then, I mostly just put up with it....

I dont understand why ppl are so negative on Kings. Theyre actually a really good company and make great quality stuff. The off the shelf items arent anything spectacular, basically because theyre just designed as a lowering spring to heights of 30, 60 and 90mm drops. But they will custom make springs as well, and theyre not that dear... which means you can choose your spring rate and height of the drop you want.

[Gravey]

Silver Dub has a 40mm drop (i think) on his bora and i think its perfect, 30mm JUST isn't enough IMO

says the man who just bottomed out and smashed a headlight, lol

[gavs]

I dont understand why ppl are so negative on Kings. Theyre actually a really good company and make great quality stuff. The off the shelf items arent anything spectacular, basically because theyre just designed as a lowering spring to heights of 30, 60 and 90mm drops. But they will custom make springs as well, and theyre not that dear... which means you can choose your spring rate and height of the drop you want.

I know, and because we're affiliated with them here at work that helps too. I think the whole "You own a German car so you should run German products" is a load off poop anyway, my Golf is Mexican so does that mean I should run Mexican parts?

[Lorenz]

King Springs have a bad rep due to the 1000s of complaints about them sagging so much after a short time. They appear to offer pretty soft spring rates off the shelf as well which doesnt help.
Nothing wrong with putting non euro parts in a euro car. Im sure a lot of the parts that go in the car are made in China anyway!
If you want cheap springs that suit the exact drop your after, maybe look into getting some custom made (ie Industrial Springs here in SA).
Chose your height and spring rate, and if your not happy with them, get them reset again (for free!).

[dylan8]

says the man who just bottomed out and smashed a headlight, lol

lol. trust me, mines more then 30-40mm drop.

and it was a driving light in my lower grill, not a headlight

Back on topic...

Have you found or seen a car you like the height of? Do you have a budget? Also if you plan to change wheels, different styles and sizes can have 'visual' changes to the height

[Speed]

my Golf is Mexican so does that mean I should run Mexican parts?

No but you should wear a sombrero at all times!