MK 5 suspension upgrades

[GTIFanBoy]

Hey all

First Post - long time lurker though.

Here asking if anyone has done much suspension wise to their MK V. I have slapped on a Selby's Adjustable Rear Sway Bar and a solid front sway bar, and it is sooo much better - but not sure where to go beyond that. There's no caster kits available I can find, and saving for a set of PSS9 Bilstein Coilovers (luckily I have friends in good places so I am getting them cheap), but not sure where else needs attention at this stage... Not super impressed by the handling standard, but would like a bit more turn in and feedback

Doubt any mod will be as good at the sway bars though, they are soooooooo f'ing good - car went from blah to blast in $400!

Anyhoo, post away
Regards
MC

[gtimk5]

I am waiting on my Koni coilover kit. Should be here in October.
It will be a lot softer than Bilsteins, I didnt want too harsh a ride...
Andrew

[GTIFanBoy]

I am waiting on my Koni coilover kit. Should be here in October.
It will be a lot softer than Bilsteins, I didnt want too harsh a ride...
Andrew

Actually, the Bilsteins are extremely compliant, I found the Koni off in the shock rates, the Bilstein was awesome.

[amrjon]

sway bars

I'm thinking of a sway bar too, was thinking of trying just a rear one first.
Any chance you drove it with the rear only before fitting the front? or can you comment on effect/benifit of front vs. rear?

[GTIFanBoy]

I'm thinking of a sway bar too, was thinking of trying just a rear one first.
Any chance you drive it with the rear only before fitting the front? or can you comment on effect/benifit of front vs. rear?

Nah, you can do the rear first, which I did, but it really needed the front matching as it was a hollow front bar, and it felt OK, but better with both I felt - just felt more balanced.

For someone how hasn't done a sway bar swap before, a rear first isn;t a bad idea, you get an idea of how they work I guess, and if you go adjustable, you can tune it yourself easily enough... and learn what does what

[Johnbu]

Whiteline handling kits

Digging up an old post..

I want to improve turn in sharpness and reduce body roll, at the same time do not really want to lower the car just yet. Would like to keep the car comfortable and not to worry about scraping over driveways etc.

So I am thinking of of adding a Whiteline rear adjustable sway bar to the GTI to start with (Whiteline don't appear to make a solid sway bar).

Anybody fitted the Whiteline handling kits to the GTI?

http://www.whiteline.com.au/docs/bulletins/175%20-%20VW%20Golf%20MKV.pdf

What other mods I should consider?

Or what other mods are people found to be effective, or a waste of money for the GTI?

I remember Selby's is another name for Whiteline correct?

[Jeffie]

Hi

I do not have a GTI yet, but thought my experiences with a Whiteline handling kit would help. I had an S15 200SX fitted with the Handling kit (Nolathane bushes, sway bars and alignment) and I have to say it was one of the best mods I ever did to the car. It increased the steering feel and reduced the slack and body roll.

Having only test driven 1 GTI I would say these would make a huge improvement, and will probably be one of the 1st mods I get when I get one.

[Greg Roles]

Well I have the softer suspended diesel GT, and put a whiteline on the rear. It made a massive difference, and I run it on the hardest of the two settings. Made the rear "harsher", but only noticable, not a problem. Made the car MUCH flatter in the twisties, not GTI level, but a big improvement from stock. Certainly enough for me for the time being. For any FWD car, the rear swaybar is indeed the place to start, indeed the best bang for buck. What do you have to lose? Put it on, if you want more, go the front as well! The biggest problem is deciding on just how thick you go, and there's a bit of science there, solid vs hollow and diameter etc.

http://autospeed.com/cms/A_2746/article.html
http://www.autospeed.com.au/cms/A_23...popularArticle
http://www.whiteline.com.au/docs/art...sp_01_0202.pdf

[Johnbu]

yeah am most likely going whiteline, only question is how many of items should I install..

there's always that point of diminishing returns.

well, how thick, thats easy, Whiteline only make one version!

I'm wondering if anyone has the full handling pack from Whiteline on their GTI.

does the GTI have a rear sway bar from the factory?

[Jeffie]

What do you have to lose?

The rear end if you put a thicker rear bar on only, and lift off oversteer

[Johnbu]

The rear end if you put a thicker rear bar on only, and lift off oversteer

i can't imagine it will be that easy to lose the rear end on a FWD car with ESP...

and lift off oversteer doesn't sound too unappealing to me

I'll see what a budget of $750 to $1,000 can yield in terms of handling.

Another $1k or so for performance, i.e. ECU tuning, and that will be all I plan to do.. until the next mod

[bazzle]

MkV what ?? Would be nice to see what car you have ?

Not all MkV are the same.. R32 doesnt really need anything to improve it.

Hey all

First Post - long time lurker though.

Here asking if anyone has done much suspension wise to their MK V. I have slapped on a Selby's Adjustable Rear Sway Bar and a solid front sway bar, and it is sooo much better - but not sure where to go beyond that. There's no caster kits available I can find, and saving for a set of PSS9 Bilstein Coilovers (luckily I have friends in good places so I am getting them cheap), but not sure where else needs attention at this stage... Not super impressed by the handling standard, but would like a bit more turn in and feedback

Doubt any mod will be as good at the sway bars though, they are soooooooo f'ing good - car went from blah to blast in $400!

Anyhoo, post away
Regards
MC

[Big Yellow]

R32 doesnt really need anything to improve it.

Baz, isn't that what you said before you got flashed?? hehehehe


But I agree, the handling of the R32 is definately pretty good in stock form, but like all things, can be upgraded further. Wouldn't mind a set of the Koni FSD/Eibach pro kit in the future + sways.

[isaw]

Wouldn't mind a set of the Koni FSD/Eibach pro kit in the future + sways.

My FSD's should arrive today, and then Springs in the mail after easter. Still undecided on the sways yet but will look into them after the suspension is on.

As for ~2k in upgrades,
1. Bluefin ~900
2. Koni FSD's + Elibach Springs (imported ~1100, check redline-motorworks.com for a kit, and andrew will declare it under ~700USD so you dont pay GST/import duty)
3. ???? I dont think u'd need much else after this, but if you do a Whiteline RSB for cheap, or go all out and get the H&R kit (F&R) for ~1000

[GoLfMan]

MkV what ?? Would be nice to see what car you have ?

Not all MkV are the same.. R32 doesnt really need anything to improve it.

then you havent driven it hard enough!

can i suggest H&R coilovers, they are a great price and the handling is awesome (went for a ride in Mischa's).

Also KW and Weitec coilovers cant be looked past