Mk 4 Coilover advice

[202JNT]

Hi,

Got a Mk4 Gti and want coilovers, want to be able to adjust height, compression, rebound and possibly get some adjustable strut tops for camber/caster.

Any recommendations on brand, websites, and companies would be much appreciated.

Have looked on TMTuning and the ABT coilover kit seems OK, and there's Neomax silver's on ebay that seem good value but unsure of the quality.

Also where are the best places to look for bushes for the front end.

Interested in some BBS 18" or 19"s if anyone in QLD has some forsale or if anyone knows a good place to look for them.

Jason

[djorkboy]

There are so many conflicting reports about what coilovers are better and what are worse, probably because people want different things from them. I want coilovers that can run at a decent height without too much sacrifice in ride quality, but for 'special occasions' can be wound right down temporarily for a better stance, but someone else might want a coilover for permanent low stance, or they want uncompromised track performance, and the coilover that works for me or you might be terrible for their needs.

From my readings on the subject there seem to be two golden rules that may or may not apply in 100% of cases but are a good guide; 'you get what you pay for' and 'name brands got to be name brands by providing quality products'

A 20 year old who needs low like others need oxygen may be willing to accept a ride quality that a fat 40 year old like myself just wouldn't tolerate.

I keep seeing these custom coilovers on eBay and they look like a reasonable price, between $910 and around $2000, delivered, depending on what options you choose. You can specify your own spring rate and there are loads of options including remote damping adjustment, camber plates etc. Has anyone had experience with these or are they just too good to be true? COILOVERS VW VOLKSWAGEN Golf Corrado Polo Jetta GTI R32 | eBay

[leighaus]

I too am in the "coilover debate" with myself.

I have just ordred some second hand springs off ebay to lower my mk4 GTI, So ill have to see how the ride looks and handles after that. Ultimately, id like to have coilovers so i can wind the car down to the right height, then tac weld the rings together so they are no longer adjustable (for legalities mainly. Though im not 100% if this is failsafe).

Personally, im only interested in height and damper adjustability. I dont want to spend much money, but would prefer not to have a coilover collapse after a year of driving. Theres alot of avenues to look at, the UK, the US, Local, using an Importer.

Im a bit cautious about buying secondhand coilovers at this point, but im really trying to keep costs down on my new ride.

Will be watching this thread

i was very close to ordering these FKs Volkswagen Golf IV 1.8T > Suspension > Coil Overs > ES#250775 Street-Line Coil Over Kit - SMVW8005KT But decided to wait and learn a bit more about whats the go with golfs. (work out to about 750$ landed)

[schoona]

The FK's are a reputable brand and used widely throughout the states (look on vortex). Good pricing, can get the height + damper adjustability. Cheaper than a H&R but not a "cheap" brand if that makes sense.

"Ultimately, id like to have coilovers so i can wind the car down to the right height, then tac weld the rings together so they are no longer adjustable (for legalities mainly. Though im not 100% if this is failsafe)." Are you not the police officer from Golfnet? What is the rules on this, you should know?

FWIW my cheap coils for my VR6 (JOM's) cost 550 shipped from the UK 3 years ago and they are pretty shagged as of about a month ago. Pretty good life running daily with plenty of low on different roads for 550 shipped. And they were pretty comfortable too (non adjustable dampening though)

[leighaus]

Not a sworn member yet. It was just easier to say im a cop. Have not covered the R.S.A at my stage of training. Even still, i put this question to a senior HWP member who advised me to speak to one of the managers of the RTA for clarification, as even he was unsure if it would suffice requirements.

In the end, Vicroads make the laws, the police just enforce them. And theres definately a lot of grey areas. Ill endeavour to chase this up when i head to vicroads in the next month and clarify it for you guys.

Thanks for the info on the coilovers you ordered. Always good to hear insight rather than hearsay. Ive heard good things about the FKs too. Next thing would be finding the best place to buy them.

[schoona]

Sweet as.

Prettty disappointing if even HWP don't know what you can and can't do legally, as well as able to spot the difference. Be nice if they madei t so they needed to be qualified mechanics to fully understand what is good and what isn't. But cheers on following it up.

Vicroads make the laws but "at their discretion" is the interpretation of these "grey areas". (Not a full on rant per se, just ideas haha). Whileever people get belted and stabbed, joining the force to sit in an SS and tell me my car is too low I think is a bit poor, but everyone needs a job as well

Also look into Weitecs (rebadged KW coilovers)

[leighaus]

The HWP members are given extra training, but there is always monetary limitations as to how much they can be paid to learn. Obviously some of it comes down to their discretion in regards to defects. In his defence, i was asking for a solid point of proof in this matter in a very specific instance. I wasnt expecting him to know the answer, purely hoping so.
Furthermore, my dealings with vicroads are always varied. IF you ring back to back 3 times asking the same question, theres high probability you will recieve different answers. Hence he suggested i speak to someone of a higher role. Which i shall.

The person who is in question normally has to pass the attitude test as well. Some members will give out the defect and let vicroads/you clear up the grey area. I do agree its not the best system, but vic pol is quite stretched in its budgets. So you can really only blame the pollies/government.

Personally, if i see something that is a "grey area" and; the person has made efforts to be compliant, their attitude is correct and the modifcation doesnt appear to have safety issues. If all those boxes are ticked, i wouldnt pursue any further.

Anyways, back on topic. Do you know of anywhere local who distributes/imports coilovers in the sub 1k$ price bracket schoona, or are you better off making your own order from ECS etc ?

[schoona]

Around here, PM Lorenz "Slammed Distribution" or you can send an email to IAN @ Rennenhaus with what you want and he'll quote it up for you

[djorkboy]

So there are places where coilovers are illegal? Is this because they have adjustable height?

[schoona]

As I understand it in NSW (concerning us) they don't like height adjustable coils that dont have a locking device (like a grub screw through the thread or something).
It's probably more of a worry for insurance purposes, because if the strict nature of your suspension comes into play, you've probably been doing something silly in the first place. Ie if you don't mind the right foot, theres no point worrying about the so called "legality" of coilovers.

[Blitzen]

I got a set of FK's delivered from the UK back in may for $430. There are plenty of places that import to Australia for a good price.

[type 17]

My coilovers, top mounts, swaybars, mounts, etc are not only completely legal, but are also insured seperately.

I thought WA had the strictest laws.

[Blitzen]

I have mine listed in my insurance, as I have with all my mods.

I know for a fact that coilovers are legal in Qld so long as they utilize the stock mounting points, and don't get wound down too low to break the height laws. I still have the letter from Qld transport to back up that statement.

[djorkboy]

I have read about the need to fit adjustable control arms when lowering a Bora 4motion or R32 to counteract the wicked levels of camber even a small drop will introduce, is this the same with coilovers or do they have some inbuilt way of counteracting this that regular spring/shock combos don't?

[type 17]

No adjustable rear arms control your camber/toe and may be necessary, if you drop it!
Even with coilovers. I have coilovers and use adjustable control arms.