Project Passat V6 4 Motion wagon

[Lance B]

Some may remember that I have been on a quest to tart up my Passat V6 4 Motion wagon. I started with changing the wheels from the factory 17" to the Jetta Vision 18" rims. I have also added the paddle shift steering wheel and now the sports side skirts, front skirt and rear skirt. VW had this kit on special for $2,200 until June 30, saving over $500, so I snapped it up. Had it painted and fitted, but I haven't put the rear spoiler on yet. The rear spoiler is just an extension of the standard spoiler and looks very similar to the R36 spoiler extension. Should I add the spoiler?

I still have on order the factory sports suspension which drops it 15mm.

Photos:

[KI11Z]

looks really nice! though 15mm drop? you wont notice a thing? coilovers ftw

[Mischa]

yeah definitely consider the coilover option; can have it as comfy as you like and as low as you like plus it'll handle way better than the sloshy stuff from vw

[Mattblack]

looks the business.

I agree that 15mm is not enough. If youre going to bother doing it do it right

[Brisben]

looks the business.

I agree that 15mm is not enough. If youre going to bother doing it do it right

Yeah like 100mm drop

[sci_fianime]

wheelarch gaps still look quite large - think a 30 - 40mm drop will look better...

also the 18s look a little overwhelmed by the size of the car - 19s or 20s should visually fill out the arches better...

[Brisben]

wheelarch gaps still look quite large - think a 30 - 40mm drop will look better...

also the 18s look a little overwhelmed by the size of the car - 19s or 20s should visually fill out the arches better...

Just out of interest are you suggesting 19s/20s and 30/40mm drop ?

[sci_fianime]

Just out of interest are you suggesting 19s/20s and 30/40mm drop ?

think that would be awesome...

[Lance B]

Thank you for the feedback, guys.

The problem with dropping it further than 15mm is that it becomes undriveable due to the overhang at the front. I have already scraped the underside of the front skirt as it hangs quite a bit lower and forward compared to standard.

Having looked at the factory fitted sports suspension which comes when you fit the 18" rims package, I find that more than enough. I guess it's just a personal thing as I do not like cars that are dropped by huge amounts as it starts to look a little silly.

Also, due to the lower aspect of having the front skirt, lowering the suspension too much would require much stiffer springs/shocks in order to avoid scraping when the springs compress at speed on *any* minor driveway, speed hump or whatever. The amount that the springs/shocks would need to be stiffened up would make the car undriveable for everyday driving, IMO. For me, the 15mm lowering and improvement in handling would be more than enough. I know "Wheels" magazine praised the sports suspension package when they tested the V6 4 Motion wagon a while back.

As for the idea that the wheels look overwhelmed by the car, I think the photos make it look this way due to the fact that the contrast of the images is quite high and the whole wheel arch area between the rim and the arch of the car is almost black and makes it look worse than it is in real life. I do not think the photos really do is justice and it realy looks great in the flesh.

[DaveMack]

I think you are right, Lance ... especially as a family wagon and considering the scraping under the front bib. Mine is not very low and I still find that it scrapes on the concrete stopping bars they put in carparks.

Dave

[PeterW*]

Hey Lance,

How much is the factory sports suspension kit costing you (fitted)?

How much would the coilover option cost?

I'm thinking about dropping the W8 - but then I'll have to get bigger wheels - then maybe a remus sports exhaust.....then a divorce

[Lance B]

Hey Lance,

How much is the factory sports suspension kit costing you (fitted)?

How much would the coilover option cost?

I'm thinking about dropping the W8 - but then I'll have to get bigger wheels - then maybe a remus sports exhaust.....then a divorce

$1,800 plus fitting.

I don't know about the coilover option, I didn't price one as I wasn't interested in going lower or stiffer.

[RF 4MOTION]

I have fitted the H&R springs to my wagon along with 19" Audi RS4 rims. I had the factory sports suspension but after fitting the 19's it really needed to go lower. The H&R springs have lowered the car dramatically and with no real loss of driveability and it handles superbly. The car is now approx 40mm lower than standard, the H&R's say they are 30mm lower but after doing some before and after measuring it is more like 40-45mm, taking into account the that the factory sports springs are meant to be already 15mm lower than standard.

As for coil overs I have had nothing but problems, we currently have them on an Audi A4 and it is constantly going back for repairs and the ride is really compromised. Maybe I can understand having them for the track but not for every day use.

[Lance B]

I have fitted the H&R springs to my wagon along with 19" Audi RS4 rims. I had the factory sports suspension but after fitting the 19's it really needed to go lower. The H&R springs have lowered the car dramatically and with no real loss of driveability and it handles superbly. The car is now approx 40mm lower than standard, the H&R's say they are 30mm lower but after doing some before and after measuring it is more like 40-45mm, taking into account the that the factory sports springs are meant to be already 15mm lower than standard.

Sounds great. You may change our mind about the ride height if you had the sports skirt kit added, though.

Post some photos.

As for coil overs I have had nothing but problems, we currently have them on an Audi A4 and it is constantly going back for repairs and the ride is really compromised. Maybe I can understand having them for the track but not for every day use.

[RF 4MOTION]

You're right, I might look at getting the black bits colour coded.

I will also look into the paddle shift option using the money from the missing RNS510. A nice upgrade to an R36 steering wheel (in stock next month) and DSG knob. I have confirmed with VW Australia this can be done at the dealer for approx $1500.