Back in Syd! Finally.....

[DubSteve]

With coilovers, you can't drive faster than 30km/h on these roads. Going back to springs/shocks was the best thing I've ever done!

Adjust the stiffness that usually helps

[gpk_gti]

Coilovers + northern beaches = VERY BAD IDEA.

I recently went from coilovers back to springs/shocks so I can now enjoy West Head Rd, Liberator General San Martin Drive, McCarrs Creek Rd, Cottage Point Rd etc again.

With coilovers, you can't drive faster than 30km/h on these roads. Going back to springs/shocks was the best thing I've ever done!

I never had any issues with my coilovers and driving on the northern beaches... even did a run on the way to akuna bay..

[Langers]

Adjust the stiffness that usually helps

I had Koni coilovers, which are only adjustable for rebound, and don't give enough ground clearance, even at max height.

I'm on Koni FSDs now. Nice and taught through corners, yet the secondary valve opens and absorbs the big mid-corner bumps. No more skipping off-line mid corner, or going into ABS under brakes into corners.

Hightly recommend them to anyone who actually likes DRIVING their car, rather than worrying about potholes, bumps and sumps.

Here's a review comparing FSDs with Koni yellows (Koni coilovers)

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/tests/koni_fsd.jsp

Very minimal loss in performance on a smooth road. On a rough road, I suspect the FSDs would be well ahead.

I got mine through Ian at Rennenhaus, great service.

One caveat to the above: if you do insist on coilovers, go for decent ones that are adjustable in BOTH compression and rebound, e.g. PSS9s or V3s. Anything else and you're really wasting your money.

[Langers]

Personally - I'd hang in there. You'll find they will soften up a bit more over the next week or so. After driving a car with coilovers I can't see how you would possibly want to go back to springs/shocks but each to their own I guess.

Yes, they should get better as the new strut top mounts settle in (and if the OP didn't use new mounts, he's in trouble). However you also get used to them and forget how good it is to have a car with ground clearance!

Anyway, as you said, to each their own.

[No457 Snowy]

if you do insist on coilovers, go for decent ones that are adjustable in BOTH compression and rebound, e.g. PSS9s or V3s. Anything else and you're really wasting your money.

Yeah, those KW engineers really need to do some homework, those V1's and V2's are just wasted money. What would those guys know about suspension? n:

Snowy.

[Langers]

Yeah, those KW engineers really need to do some homework, those V1's and V2's are just wasted money. What would those guys know about suspension? n:

Snowy.

They know plenty, but they're not designed for Australian conditions. The koni coilovers I had on are the same as V2s, and they're just not good enough for PROPER handling on really rough roads, and let's face it, any decently winding road in this state is like the surface of the moon. My understanding is that Canberra has much better roads.

[Langers]

To the OP: who did the install?

[Langers]

Do i need to have it reset or something now that the car is lower?

Nathan

Yes, when installing new coilovers, you need to make sure you do the following:

* new strut top mounts and bearings
* new bolts (as they're all stretch bolts)
* reset self levelling headlights (if equipped)
* reset longitudinal acceleration sensor (see Bentley manual)
* reset rear control arm bushings with car on ground at new ride height
* get a wheel alignment
* tighten all bolts again after 300kms


Having said that, your ABS issues are likely not related to the install, unless someone forgot to properly secure the ABS sensor wire and it's now severed.

[Langers]

Looking good. Whats the adjustment range on the coilovers? I got KW's and can only drop it 50mm at the back, would be happier if can come down another 15-20mm.

If you want to be super ghetto, you could take out the rear spring perches.

[No457 Snowy]

They know plenty, but they're not designed for Australian conditions. The koni coilovers I had on are the same as V2s, and they're just not good enough for PROPER handling on really rough roads, and let's face it, any decently winding road in this state is like the surface of the moon. My understanding is that Canberra has much better roads.

Ok you have a point there, although your original statement was a little more general.

Snowy

[Langers]

For those who dream of proper suspension (and have a spare $30k):

http://www.dmshocks.com/shopexd.asp?id=74

[nashan]

Ok! here we go, some feedback. Ive found the two problems. The ABS and TC light were flashing as when the coilovers were installed, the ABS sensor wire on the front R/H wheel slipped away and was almost cut in half by the caliper therefor causing the fault.

AND i noticed a knocking from the front right wheel, when driving back and forwards i noticed the wheel was moving forwards and backwards an inch or two! They think its the top strut mount rubber hasnt sat properly so its in the shop to be fixed for monday. Got the install done at pedders. They've been pretty good about. Gave me a car to drive while they have mine too.

Cant wait to see what its like when its fixed! I thought it handled better than stock even when loose!!

[Langers]

Why on earth would you take the car to Pedders? No wonder the car's been buggered up. What made you take it to them and not a VW/Audi specialist?

When you install coilovers, the ABS sensor wire will have extra length in it, and needs to be zip tied out of the way. Anyone who has ever worked on a MkIV would know this. This isn't some Commodore, and they've already shown they're grossly incompetent. I'm almost certain they wouldn't have used new stretch bolts either.

Seeing as you're in the area, why not see Derek at European Autotech in Mona Vale to have it looked at once the "install" (more like a hack job) has been completed. http://www.europeanautotech.com.au

Also, you will need an alignment once the suspension has settled in and you have decided on your ride height. I recommend Spinning Wheel Tyres for the alignment. Bit of a drive, but well worth it.

http://www.spinningwheeltyres.com.au/ (website appears to be temporarily down)

They recently moved, so make sure when you get the address you get the one on Cnr McEvoy and Bourke Sts.

Just stick to specialists from now on, and leave Pedders and the like to Falcodore owners.

[nashan]

Each to their own i guess, Ive got a couple of mates that work for pedders so got it fairly cheap. Ive had a few cars done by them and so have mates and never had an issue. I know they prob don't know dubs as well some other places, but they are suspension professionals and know what they're doing. Ill have it checked out anyway by Seb down in Mona anyway to see if hes happy with the final install. O and the ABS wire was zip tied but slipped through.

Thanx for the inputs fellas!

Nathan

[Langers]

Just to clarify, Seb is from Euro Automotive in Girraween. Derek is from European Autotech in Mona Vale.