Sports Suspension on a Jetta

[geoffp]

Quick question,

The Jetta I purchased is getting the sports suspension fitted by the dealership. (There wasn't a car available in stock with factory fitted sports suspension).

My question is, the suspension being fitted is the same as the factory fitted suspension, but just how good is this sports suspension?

Has anyone else got a Jetta with sports suspension fitted either in factory or by a dealer? If so, is the ride noticeably better/tighter etc.

[mikinoz]

Oh this does open up a can of worms...

Allegedly the Sportline Golf have 'Sports Suspension' - however I am yet to find out what they have done to it.

Things that I have been told are;

Uprated Struts,
Lowered Springs
'Tuned Chassis' (whatever that means, maybe uprated swaybar?)

I would ask the dealer what they are replacing, with a parts list for the future incase you ever need to replace a component.

[geoffp]

Oh this does open up a can of worms...

Allegedly the Sportline Golf have 'Sports Suspension' - however I am yet to find out what they have done to it.

Things that I have been told are;

Uprated Struts,
Lowered Springs
'Tuned Chassis' (whatever that means, maybe uprated swaybar?)

I would ask the dealer what they are replacing, with a parts list for the future incase you ever need to replace a component.

Thanks mikinoz,
Good idea - I made a point of asking the dealer if the workshop fitted sports suspension was the same as the factory fitted. He said yes, but I suppose they would anyway.

I will make a point to find out what parts are involved in changing over to the sports suspension, then post that parts list here as well.

[mikinoz]

And if they are charging you any more than the factory fitted option, I would argue that you are the owner of the original suspension components as well. :/

Looking forward to seeing some pics!

[geoffp]

And if they are charging you any more than the factory fitted option, I would argue that you are the owner of the original suspension components as well. :/

Looking forward to seeing some pics!

good point, but no, same price

[shaawing]

Sports Suspension

Hi there!

I have Sports Suspension on my Jetta and have had nothing but trouble with it. I have noise (squeaks and creaks) from the front and rear of my Jetta and I am far from happy. The dealer said they have never had this problem before. They changed the stabiliser bars front and rear, and now it actually sounds worse. I have to now wait until the VW trouble shooter is free to look at my vehicle as this one has the dealer stumped.

It's really embarrassing driving in peak hour traffic in a great looking $50k car that sounds worse than an old XB Falcon at times

Apart from the suspension I absolutely love the way the car handles. I drove up Mt Buffalo (North East Victoria) just after Easter when it was fairly new and blasted up that mountain with the greatest of ease. Handles beautifully!

I'll keep you posted on what Mr VW has to say.

[geoffp]

Hi there!

I have Sports Suspension on my Jetta and have had nothing but trouble with it. I have noise (squeaks and creaks) from the front and rear of my Jetta and I am far from happy. The dealer said they have never had this problem before. They changed the stabiliser bars front and rear, and now it actually sounds worse. I have to now wait until the VW trouble shooter is free to look at my vehicle as this one has the dealer stumped.

It's really embarrassing driving in peak hour traffic in a great looking $50k car that sounds worse than an old XB Falcon at times

Apart from the suspension I absolutely love the way the car handles. I drove up Mt Buffalo (North East Victoria) just after Easter when it was fairly new and blasted up that mountain with the greatest of ease. Handles beautifully!

I'll keep you posted on what Mr VW has to say.

Thanks shaawing,
Sorry to hear about your woes.
Was the suspension factory fitted or fitted by the dealer?
Which dealer did you purchase from?
How has that dealer been re trying to rectify your problems?
What size rims have you got plus what tyres (make & model) do you have fitted?

I appreciate the info, will wait to hear from you.

Cheers,
Geoff.

[Splashalot]

.......I have Sports Suspension on my Jetta and have had nothing but trouble with it. I have noise (squeaks and creaks) from the front and rear of my Jetta and I am far from happy. The dealer said they have never had this problem before. They changed the stabiliser bars front and rear, and now it actually sounds worse.

I assume they lubricated the bushes when they changed the stabiliser bars? In the past I've had these make a surprising amount of noise as they flex over bumps. Could be an easy fix....?

SS

[phaeton]

Welcome to VWwA shaawing

Sorry to hear about your troubles

Geoff do you get a discount for giving them the standard suspension parts ?

[geoffp]

Geoff do you get a discount for giving them the standard suspension parts ?

Hi phaeton,
No. Didn't expect to either as I ended up paying the same amount as factory fitted. I suppose they are offsetting their install cost with some rebate (or whatever) on the standard suspension. They might put it into their spares, don't now.

Cheers,
Geoff.

[shaawing]

To Splashalot

Thanks for your response re the suspension problems I am having. I have said to my partner that I reckon the noise from the front sounds just like rubber squeaking so you may be right about the bushes needing some lube. But the rear suspension is deinitely a loud creaking noise .. not good.

Anyway, thanks for your feedback )

PS will keep you posted!

[geoffp]

OK,
I asked the dealer if they can confirm all equipment that is changed over and/or installed when the dealership installs sports suspension.

Dealer response below:
"Geoff good afternoon, I have spoken with our service techs and we will be changing the suspension springs and put in limiters as well"

Splashalot mentioned "stabiliser bars", not sure if they are part of the normal factory fitted upgrade.

I have asked the dealer to confirm if their install uses same equipment and is exactly the same as a factory fitted suspension upgrade.

EDIT: Just got this back from the dealer:
"We have ordered the springs and limiters today they will take 10 days out of Germany, the shockers remain the same, the only way to get springs quicker is to fit non genuine and we don't want to do that."

[geoffp]

Thanks for your response re the suspension problems I am having. I have said to my partner that I reckon the noise from the front sounds just like rubber squeaking so you may be right about the bushes needing some lube. But the rear suspension is deinitely a loud creaking noise .. not good.

Anyway, thanks for your feedback )

PS will keep you posted!

Have you got an update on your suspension problems shaawing?

[bacong]

Have you got an update on your suspension problems shaawing?

Sorry for yuor trouble shaawing. I am likewise interested to know of any updates with your problem.

My Jetta TFSI also has sports suspension but I have no problem whatsoever (knock on wood!!) with it. This was VW fitted and not by the deler.

[shaawing]

All who asked!

FINALLY!
I picked up my Jetta yesterday and not one squeak or groaning from the suspension. The vehicle was (finally) inspected by the engineer from VW.

VW (under warranty) replaced all shockers, top mounts, bushes and linkages of my suspension and it is now just 'perfect' )

They said that they had never heard anything like it (thank God!!) so I am a very happy Jetta owner now it has been fixed!

I have to say that the service (and way I was treated) from my dealer was well below what I would expect. It's as though I had to 'drive' it all to get things moving!

Anyway, thanks for your concerns etc guys!

I will make a point of posting some pics on soon ... John