Jetta suspension - a bit firm...

[wookiee]

Hi Folks,

Just picked up a 2007 Jetta, 2.0 litre fsi turbo with DSG. It's running on VW 18" Karthoum wheels with michelin 235/40/18. The standard rim/tyre combo is 225/45/17. Car has 43,000km's on it.

Issue - the ride is too firm. This is our family car and whilst I love feeling connected to the road, it simply does not absorb enough of the bumps. I don't think the move from 17's to 18's is the problem (happy to hear otherwise) as I drove both, though I'm sure it contributes to some degree.

Anyway, can anyone recommend, based on experience, what the best thing I could do to get a nicer, softer ride? I'm thinking shocks might help a lot, but would love to hear thoughts. Thank you...

[Umai Naa!!]

If you go to a softer shock, you'll find that the suspension will become quite bouncy.

Swapping back to 17s might be your best bet.

Besides, I wouldn't call the ride quality in them too firm. I see it as reassuring. Try driving something Korean for comparison.

[wookiee]

thx for feedback - yep, I know it will be a lot sweeter ride than something korean, but in fairness, it will probably be more expensive too. I think the actual seat is also firm so there's probably a few compounding factors. Probably should have driven it for a longer period of time before buying, but I only just got it so will give it a bit more of a chance.

[bazzle]

Have you checked the tyre pressures yet?
Prob should be around 36+ on 18's.

Bazzle

[maca]

thx for feedback - yep, I know it will be a lot sweeter ride than something korean, but in fairness, it will probably be more expensive too. I think the actual seat is also firm so there's probably a few compounding factors. Probably should have driven it for a longer period of time before buying, but I only just got it so will give it a bit more of a chance.

If you're so much as thinking of selling the Karthoums, LET ME KNOW FIRST!!!!!!!

I'll buy them.

[wookiee]

Thanks Basa - good point, will double check the psi in each.

Maca - if I ditch the wheels i'll let you know. I probably don't sound like much of a petrol head, but it's actually not the case - bloody tail bone is a tad sensitive these days courtesy of some decent waves mixed with a speed boat, lol...

[gregozedobe]

Maybe do a bit of research on Koni FSD shockers. Lots of people comment on how they improve the ride without losing handling.

Whitejames has done a few comparos on various suspension mods, so have a look at his posts.

[wookiee]

Thanks greg - koni's are a great shock so i'll definately look into that.

I'll drive the car for the next week and just see how much of an issue it will be. It's actually going to be our family car so my wife will be driving it more than me anyway. It was either the Jetta, mazda 6 or Honda CR-V. Needless to say which one has more fun factor attached, hence the purchase.

I'll check the tyres pressures first, then start to look at things like the front seats perhaps (they are leather). I had an N14 SSS pulsar back in 1995 and I found the seats very average, so I went to an auto trimmer who resolved the problem by adding higher quality foam in the seat where u sit.

If no joy, then shocks are likely to be the next option to investigate and consider. I'd rather not go back to the 17's (I don't have them anyway) and the overall dimensions 225/45/17 to current 235/40/18 is minimal on paper.

Ok, time to install the baby seat today...

[Dubdabest]

Yeh the first few weeks of driving the TFSI definitely I could feel the jolt of every pothole in my tummy so prob worth getting extra padding on the leather seat - esp if the car is riding on lower profile tyres. The stock suspension on TFSI are sport-tuned and lowered than normal in Jetta TDI and FSI/TSI.

[Splashalot]

From NRMA's 1000km Jetta test:

Ride
Our test car was fitted with the optional 18 inch alloy wheels, 225/40 tyres and lowered suspension, a pointless exercise on a distinctly non sporting car like this, which served only to make the ride harsh and at times uncomfortable, while also increasing suspension and road noise levels.

Rough roads occasionally caused the suspension to bang and crash against its stops, giving the body a hiding as well.

In standard trim - with 16 inch alloys and 205/55 tyres - the Jetta, like the Golf, is a much better sorted device, with an appropriate ride/handling compromise that's tuned for control and compliance.

http://www.mynrma.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/mynrma/hs.xsl/volkswagen_jetta_1000km.htm

[noone]

1st up, tyre pressure, secondly, different tyres.

Wheel size (more importantly tyre profile) can make a big difference to ride / comfort quality.

after market shocks and coils are often designed to give better driving in terms of performance, does not mean you can't find one that will give more comfort...

[wookiee]

Thanks all - Wish I read that NRMA drive report prior to buying, might have swayed me towards the diesel instead. Bugger!

Putting 16's on it just doesn't seem right. 17's an option I guess if I can find some nice one's and swap them for the 18's, though I suspect the suspension is a significant player here.

The pressure's where over 40psi, so tweaking them down to around 35psi cold did help somewhat. They are new michelin's.

That said, the ride is still a bit crashy which, for a car of this quality and with standard VW options, is disappointing.

I'll consider the additional padding in the seat, however, if I'm not happy with the overall ride then that's not going to fix much. My wife had a polo before and my mate a gen IV golf gti. Based on VW's suspension choice in cars such as these, (the dampening felt like the things were put in upside down!) perhaps they also got it wrong in the turbo fsi jetta in their effort to make it more sporty.

[tofo17]

My wifes car is a Jetta TFSI with 18" Charlestons and I must admit that at times I find it overly firm. I've just picked up a Mk6 118TSI and, somewhat ironically, fitted it with 17" Classixs, which are the standard Jetta TFSI wheels. The Golf rides very nicely in comparison. It certainly has a bit more body roll so I guess it comes down to the usual compromises. The wife loves the Jetta (two baby seats fitted!) and finds other cars "spongey"

I may try putting the Classixs on the Jetta and the Charlestons on the Golf... I suspect this would add more compliance to the Jetta.

As others suggest, the Koni FSDs might improve things.

[Splashalot]

Putting 16's on it just doesn't seem right. 17's an option I guess if I can find some nice one's and swap them for the 18's, though I suspect the suspension is a significant player here.

I guess it comes down to looks vs comfort - whichever is more important to you.

[robbyx]

I guess it comes down to looks vs comfort - whichever is more important to you.

I agree with most others in here.

To me, adjusting wheel/tyre combo is your best bet.

From the best of my knowledge, if you go Aftermarket Suspension, it's usually to get sportier suspension (ie. firmer, better handling) rather than the other way around.

I guess it also comes down to what car you were initially after. I personally like the look of 18s on the Jetta, doesn't make me feel the need to drop the whole thing =p