Coilover Advice for MKV Jetta

[Silver dub]

Well it seems as though we have had a slight change of mind and will be keeping the jetta for a while longer now.

But the deal is that it MUST be modified!

So in the new year i am considering a purchase of a good quality set of coilovers to get it a bit closer to the black stuff and at a later date a new set of shoes "Something a bit more WOW".

So i have a few questions that i'm hoping you anyone can answer as i'm not very experienced with coils.


So what do you all suggest for brands? I know the main few like KW, H&R, Bilstein etc

What other parts do i need to complete the whole setup? i'e Sway bars etc

What approximate price range would i be looking at by the time i buy everything i need to complete the setup and have it imported my say "ECS".

I have no need to allow $$$ for fitment as my dad is a mechanic and we will be installing them.

Would it be any advantage looking at possibly a second hand set of a forum member that may be parting out their car before selling it?

I do understand that coils sometimes need to be rebuilt if they have had a lot of km's on them but i would only look at something with relatively low k'ms.


Any advice will be a big help guys.

[NabzGTI]

Those are the most popular brands.. but they come quite expensive. ECS have a budget set of coilovers for about $500ish + delivery from memory. At the end of the day, its all about how much you want to spend. KW's vary from about $1,500ish to about $3,000ish depending on varient. Billstein's are about $2k-2.5k. H&R's are about $1500ish.

For a complete handling set up, you can also look into the following:
Front and Rear Sway Bars - Can pick up a decent set from about $500-600ish. The thicker you get, the more expensive.
WALK (Whiteline Anti-Lift Kit) - about $200ish
Full set of engine mounts - about $650ish
Full set of bushings - about $300ish
LSD - from $1,000ish - $1,500 (depending if manual or DSG)

Note: this is all going off memory from previous research.. also, all these figures are not including shipping costs. need to factor in shipping especially for some of the heavier items which can make a huge difference.

[Silver dub]

Thanks NabzGTI,

I don't exactly want to cheap out on the coils but at the same time probably can't afford to go with top end systems.

I'm thinking the KW's and H&R's maybe more in the price range.

So can anybody help out with either the Kw's or H&r's, as i see there are pretty much 3 different systems to choose from for each,
After good and bad points, ride quality between the two or any other brand suggestions etc.

I don't want to go over the top as it is our daily driver and it is only a 2.0 lt, so it's not race car and never will be and it does do a few km's, hence why i would like to buy some quality and not cheap out

With Mk5's do you have to do both front and rear sways? I'm also presuming you can't run the stock sways with coils?

Not that i would but just thought i'd ask the question?

Can you explain to me a bit more about the Anti lift Kit, Engine mounts and bushings?

Just wondering if they have to be done or not?

Or are these mods better suited to your GTI's and R32's etc when power and handling is the key? Don't forget it's only a 2.0lt.

[Noodles]

I have KW Variant 3's, would say notice handling more on corners than on just general day to day driving. Bilstien similar to KW just easier to adjust. Could also look at AP or Weitec (preference out of two) coilovers, they are made in same factory as KW just different materials hence cheaper prices.
Would also look to purchase oversea with current exchange rates. I bought mine from guys I know in Manchester, with fedex £145, Aust Customs $248 (I think) they were about half price cost to purchase in Australia. Only downside for me was the cost of the labour to install them.

[NabzGTI]

Thanks NabzGTI,

I don't exactly want to cheap out on the coils but at the same time probably can't afford to go with top end systems.

I'm thinking the KW's and H&R's maybe more in the price range.

So can anybody help out with either the Kw's or H&r's, as i see there are pretty much 3 different systems to choose from for each,
After good and bad points, ride quality between the two or any other brand suggestions etc.

I don't want to go over the top as it is our daily driver and it is only a 2.0 lt, so it's not race car and never will be and it does do a few km's, hence why i would like to buy some quality and not cheap out

With Mk5's do you have to do both front and rear sways? I'm also presuming you can't run the stock sways with coils?

Not that i would but just thought i'd ask the question?

Can you explain to me a bit more about the Anti lift Kit, Engine mounts and bushings?

Just wondering if they have to be done or not?

Or are these mods better suited to your GTI's and R32's etc when power and handling is the key? Don't forget it's only a 2.0lt.

You can run the stock sways with coils, however why would you want to? if you're spending the money, you might as well do the sway bars at the same time.

WALK - helps reduce the nose lift upon acceleration, especially when coming out of corners. So effectively reduces wheel spin and torque steer.
Engine mounts - stiffens everything up. Reduces engine movement. Reduces axle tramp. Increased vibrations.
Bushings - similar to engine mounts.

These types of mods are more for the track-minded driver

[Silver dub]

I have KW Variant 3's, would say notice handling more on corners than on just general day to day driving. Bilstien similar to KW just easier to adjust. Could also look at AP or Weitec (preference out of two) coilovers, they are made in same factory as KW just different materials hence cheaper prices.
Would also look to purchase oversea with current exchange rates. I bought mine from guys I know in Manchester, with fedex £145, Aust Customs $248 (I think) they were about half price cost to purchase in Australia. Only downside for me was the cost of the labour to install them.

I have not heard of AP but have heard of Weitec, i'll might have to do a little bit more research on these.

How did yours price landed in Oz compared to the likes of ECS Tuning? I had no plan on buying in Aus as i've heard how much cheaper it is to import.

[Silver dub]

You can run the stock sways with coils, however why would you want to? if you're spending the money, you might as well do the sway bars at the same time.

WALK - helps reduce the nose lift upon acceleration, especially when coming out of corners. So effectively reduces wheel spin and torque steer.
Engine mounts - stiffens everything up. Reduces engine movement. Reduces axle tramp. Increased vibrations.
Bushings - similar to engine mounts.

These types of mods are more for the track-minded driver

I knew i would be up for swaybars anyway but i was just curious if they would hit the driveshaft like the Mk4's do when lowered on stock sways?

So basically i'm up for front and rear sways and coils.

Now i guess just picking what brand coilovers to get and what swaybars will best match.

[Bizi]

Please google 'WhiteJames' and you should get his local suspension setup reviews. Highly recommended.
Just be aware that track-oriented coilovers may not be ideal for day to day use, while street/track ones may be all you need for this car.
It's best to research this properly and avoid buying the wrong gear for your needs!

If possible, maybe you could go for a drive in a few cars set up with the gear you are considering.
The roads you drive on and your driving style as well as the preferences of the car's users could also determine your choices as it's always a case of choosing the compromises to best suit your needs.

I hope this info in helpful. Glad to see you are keeping the Jetta.

On a more cosmetic note, like me, are you wishing to get better/more attractive headlights?

[Nathan_B]

When are you looking top purchase?

I'm looking at getting Bilstein PSS10's from overseas - got a few quotes and could share shipping?

[Bizi]

My understanding (which is just based on reading in forums and reviews) is that coilovers like the PSS10 and KW V3 are at the more extreme track end of the spectrum, while one step back would be the street/track ones like PSS9 or KW V2.

Then there are less track oriented options such as H&R, which could be a more suitable option.

ECStuning and other US distributors often have (and had) sales with 5% or 10% off, so check the US forums to check for sale announcements, too.

[dylan8]

I knew i would be up for swaybars anyway but i was just curious if they would hit the driveshaft like the Mk4's do when lowered on stock sways?

So basically i'm up for front and rear sways and coils.

Now i guess just picking what brand coilovers to get and what swaybars will best match.

I think a lot of websites give you warnings if your car cant be dropped below a certain height (like the Mk4's).
If there is no problem with clearance on the Mk5's, id say go the rear sway bar first and see what you think, then maybe add the front later..
Being a new car with next to no KM, i wouldn't have thought you'd had to replace the mounts straight up, but ill leave that for the Mk5 guys with the experience to answer that.

Your roads seem to be alright down there, even my rough-as-bora was bearable...

[Silver dub]

Please google 'WhiteJames' and you should get his local suspension setup reviews. Highly recommended.
Just be aware that track-oriented coilovers may not be ideal for day to day use, while street/track ones may be all you need for this car.
It's best to research this properly and avoid buying the wrong gear for your needs!

If possible, maybe you could go for a drive in a few cars set up with the gear you are considering.
The roads you drive on and your driving style as well as the preferences of the car's users could also determine your choices as it's always a case of choosing the compromises to best suit your needs.

I hope this info in helpful. Glad to see you are keeping the Jetta.

On a more cosmetic note, like me, are you wishing to get better/more attractive headlights?

I'll google it now and have a browse,

Yeah might have to try and find a couple of guys in Vic with different brand coils to see if they can take me for a run to see the differences.

I had lined up to buy Maca's headlights if he opted out of his jetta for something else but then i decided to sell and never went any further with it, he ended up buying another jetta anyways.

I do like the Xenon look headlights like what maca has but i do have a soft spot for the good old Black GTI headlights as they look more blacked out the the Xenon's. If i can get some at a good price maybe later on i'll consider it again.

I really want to get the stance right first and then sort out some new wheels that i can get to poke a bit and give it that Low and FAT rear stance.

[Silver dub]

When are you looking top purchase?

I'm looking at getting Bilstein PSS10's from overseas - got a few quotes and could share shipping?

I wont be looking to buy till probably Feb, Unfortunately christmas presents and renovating hurts the hip pocket a bit.

I'm interested to hear what your quote was for the Bilsteins landed in Vic?

[Noodles]

I have not heard of AP but have heard of Weitec, i'll might have to do a little bit more research on these.

How did yours price landed in Oz compared to the likes of ECS Tuning? I had no plan on buying in Aus as i've heard how much cheaper it is to import.

APCoilovers

Just checked ECS Tuning page, have say their xmas sale makes them reasonable still not as cheap as what mine cost but then I got a discount on them when I bought them

[Bizi]

Other people may be thinking this but not mentioning it, but I think we ought to ask just in case.

Your car is almost new and you've not sold it yet but have 'permission' now to mod the car.

Since you're prepared to commit a fair $ amount:
Why not persevere with selling the FSI Jetta and keep an option open to get a turbo petrol or diesel? Lots more fun I'd expect once you get the car handling more crisply.

This way, just in case you find a buyer, you can then buy a moe more mod-friendly turbo Jetta.
You may not need the extra power, that's fine, I just wanted to check in case you wanted to keep this option open, e.g. keep the carsales ad going in case you find a buyer.