Lowering Springs vs. Coilovers

[GTIVWPOLO]

Evening all,

I have tried to navigate this forum as best as I can (am only new) but however I can't seem to find the answer to a question I am debating in my head. I would like to lower my recently purchased 2010 6R Polo GTI although would like some input in which way I am best to go... springs or coilovers?

Is it worth spending the extra $$$ for coilovers or simply just go for a decent set of springs? The car is stock except for the custom exhaust and I have had the exhaust tucked up nicely so it won't be a victim of scraping. I mainly want to achieve a nice, clean low look without going overboard and don't want to spend money on springs if it doesn't change the height all that much.

Any help from you guys & girls would be much appreciated!
- Sean

[vdubmotorworx]

If you go springs you should get a nice 25-30mm drop which is enough to give it that nice modified but not over the top look.

[staz88]

We initially went with H&R 25/40 springs. For $400 it was worth a shot. Here it is here with those springs:



However, in my opinion, the ride was less then ideal. The H&R springs and factory shocks just aren't a great match. The ride was too jarring. You could tell the shocks just weren't up to the task of controlling the springs.

Have since gone to KW Street Comfort coilovers. Cost $2000 but they are beautiful shocks. Car sits the same as on the springs but the ride is, dare I say, better than factory.

[CrusadeR]

If you're mainly after looks and do not want adjustability, then lowering springs. How much your ride (comfort wise) changes will then depend on spring type, rate and amount of lowering.

Having fitted springs recently, I would save up and go down the coilovers route if given a time machine

[noone]

Big topic.
Small drops and well designed springs with stock shocks can be good. Coilovers and good spring and shock combos are roughly on par, but thats a very general statement.
If you go quite low, any design will be compromised as other geometry is negatively affected.

Big topic, lots to read before spending coin. Look at my polo build thread for my experience.

[Johnbu]

just lowered springs with stock dampers, don't do it.

If you don't need adjustability, get matched lowered spring/damper set, I.e. H&R Cup kit, they come in different levels of height.

I paid about aud$800 shipped for my H&R Cup kit for my Mk5 GTI from Orange Tuning.

For that price, you get handling much better than cheap coilovers.

[GTIVWPOLO]

Hmmm interesting. I think I may have to save a few more pennies and do it right!

[jayc29u]

Definitely coilovers. As noone said above, small drops are OK but if you want to go any lower like 25/40, get coilovers otherwise itll make the ride so much worse. I bought springs for my old car and within 10,000 k's the old dampers were shot.

A kinda off topic question but since the AUD is so bad at the moment, where would it be best to buy a set of decent coilovers?

[Johnbu]

Definitely coilovers. As noone said above, small drops are OK but if you want to go any lower like 25/40, get coilovers otherwise itll make the ride so much worse. I bought springs for my old car and within 10,000 k's the old dampers were shot.

A kinda off topic question but since the AUD is so bad at the moment, where would it be best to buy a set of decent coilovers?

Why definitely coilovers?

You bought lowered springs with your stock dampers and then the dampers stuffed up, so therefore all lowered spring/dampers are no good???

As I stated, a set of matched lowered spring/damper combo will work very well. Much better than cheap coilovers.

But obviously you can't change the height so must select the drop, I.e. 25 or 40mm when you order them.

Check out Orange Tuning in Germany. AUD to EUR hasn't dropped much like AUD to USD.

[car_nut]

Check out Orange Tuning in Germany. AUD to EUR hasn't dropped much like AUD to USD.

I have been chasing quotes for KW coil overs. Frank at Orange tuning is usually fairly cheap but not always. I purchased my Milltek exhaust from him, much cheaper than any UK price. I am waiting for Frank to quote me, not sure he can do KW Street Comforts.

Locally best price is $2030 posted to me and best price from UK is 920 GBP delivered, difference not worth the risk of maybe having to pay GST on top of that.

[car_nut]

I am waiting for Frank to quote me, not sure he can do KW Street Comforts.
.

It's a NO from Frank. Says KW Germany are protecting its nominated KW Australian agent/s.

So seems I will purchase locally/ie Australia.

[Johnbu]

Yup at £920 it's better to buy it locally and get local warranty.

[GTIVWPOLO]

Being that I own a GTI 6r polo does that mean that the 25 drop in the front won't be much different to stock?

[route]

running on KW Street Comforts as well, it is by far the most comfortable coilovers I've used. Its unbelievable how low the car is and yet the comfort is still better than a stock Scirocco. Just be sure to use back your stock endlinks as using a shorter one will result in knocking of the ARB.

[Jefros]

Hi Staz88,

I am in the same boat and have H&R 25/40 springs but find the ride way too harsh.

I am looking at the KW Street Comforts after seeing your post but I am wondering what ride height you set them at?

Have you set them at the same ride height as the H&R springs? If so is it a smoother ride?

Cheers

Chris