double whammo

[jivebug]

Sorry I am sure it has been asked but would appreciate if anyone in the know, can give me information regarding the 'softening" of my 2010 6R GtI suspension. Im not too fussed if I lose a bit of handling just that my neck cant` handle it anymore and I would rather not sell the car. Have had it now since new for five years and had a new motor put in (long hard fight)around 55000 of my 74000kms. Most suspension places know how to stiffen rather then soften suspension. Someone mentioned coilover with Bilson dampers??? Just want it less jarring and more comfortable for my old fart bones and approx cost?.

Second request if for advice on a remap. If I cant afford MY16 I should just hang onto my car (in great condition) and up the power a bit. I have only seem to come across these ones (my warranty finishes in three months anyway): ABT, BSR, APR. Any recommendations for any? Would like ease of use, stealth, reliable, naturally more power and under $2000?. Thanks. Brisbane two+ hours from me Gold Coast closer.

[seangti]

Well Koni make adjustable dampers, worth considering as a start point to allow adjustability. Bilstein struts aren't adjustable until you go to their coilover range. I haven't been in the 6R polo to know how it rides and whilst I'm happy with the ride of my bilstein/H&R set-up, it's not well suited to B roads as it lacks wheel travel - so best to avoid a lowered spring as to retain travel. My H&R coilover'd car actually rides the undulations better and doesn't hit the bump stops on big hits.

You may be able to get away with a softer spring (say a progressive spring rather than linear) and retain the current struts, King springs are made locally and can be custom made.

Best to chat with some suspension specialist as to the best approach.

As for tunes, that's a can of worms. What I would encourage with whoever you go with, and ensure they do it, is to log the car, ideally before, but at the least after being tuned so you can see what your boost levels are, AFR and fuel trims, timing, etc. The tuner may not want you running off with print outs of that data, but should be happy to discuss it with you so you know what parameters have changed and by how much. Plus gives you somewhat of a health check of your engine.

[brad]

At 70,000+km your dampers are nearing the end of their life. Get some Koni dampers. Normally I'd recommend the adjustable Sports on half a turn from soft but in your case the FSD might be a better pick.

Bilstein are a great damper but not for your application.

progressive springs are nice when they are new but they soon lose the soft part and the progressiveness confuses the damper. If you really wanted to experiment then you could try some springs off the less sporty models but the car will ride high.

Have a chat to Wholesale Suspension in Sydney or maybe ring the importers direct, Toperformance in Vic.

Can't help with the tune - are you sure Custom Code or DNA don't have a solution?

[trive2]

I've found the Polo suspension is poorly set up. It's bumpy and lurchey. You'll find if you go for one of the softer aftermarket shocks (and maybe springs) you'll get a more compliant ride and maybe even better handling- FSD's have a good reputation for comfort. Avoid Bilstein, generally harder than Koni's (which are also adjustable).

[jivebug]

double whammo

I've found the Polo suspension is poorly set up. It's bumpy and lurchey. You'll find if you go for one of the softer aftermarket shocks (and maybe springs) you'll get a more compliant ride and maybe even better handling- FSD's have a good reputation for comfort. Avoid Bilstein, generally harder than Koni's (which are also adjustable).

Thanks for the feedback to both responders
.

[tc831]

I don't know about suspension going @ 70K Ks, that's abit absurd. Softening will mean a lower weight rating spring. Most professional suspension shops should know that.
As for Chip, I think you could research into Revo?

[jivebug]

Thanks, any preference and why for CC or DNA (or REVO)? ta

[jivebug]

Im getting the feedback from Eurotune that said they have seen MANY like me that are actually trying to make there suspension softer (due to injuries) in my make Polo and have spent thousands with no decent outcome. Mainly due to the car being a short wheelbase , low profile tyres being the key factors. Best advice sell the car and get a bigger wheel base one. Thoughts anyone?

[Splashalot]

Dunno about that, my Mk5 Golf GTI has the same suspension issues and I would assume a longer wheelbase?

[jivebug]

Geez I really not sure what to do. Im confused not only with suspension (the biggest problem now) but also with "chipping" companies. So far I have Custom Code,REVO, DNA, BSR, ABT, APR, Superchips (redline EFI) I think I might have to go and put my head in a bucket of water because who the heck do I go with either problem???

[seangti]

Take a base model polo out for a spin and see what you think of the suspension compliance. That'll give you some idea if it can be softened by the desired amount. A low profile tyre will transmit more back into the cabin, even going from a 40 to 45 series tyre will have marginal improvement, also run at the lower end of the desired tyre pressure range, say 32psi rather than 36psi. Wouldn't go much below 32psi though.

As for a tune, they aren't drastically different. Some variation in the amount of boost and timing which effects how it comes on boost, it's otherwise splitting hairs IMO. Some have more features, e.g. APR, some are better priced, e.g. Custom Code. Albeit in the 9N polo, my cars have ran Custom Code, Superchips and VAGAutowerks (from the U.S.), I've also driven APR cars. It comes back to the level of desired dealer support, preference for future modifying and associated costs. APR don't typically like you adding no APR parts down the track, so say you add intercooler, exhaust, intake, etc, and want a retune, APR may be more difficult to obtain support.

[kaanage]

If you really wanted to experiment then you could try some springs off the less sporty models but the car will ride high.

Softening will mean a lower weight rating spring. Most professional suspension shops should know that.

Actually, these 2 are likely to cancel out to some extent - ie, the length of the springs of the less sporty models will be longer but the lower spring rate with heavier GTi front will cause these springs to compress more so the overall ride height should not be as high as the less sporty models. And low ride height doesn't help handling nearly as much as most people here assume - it's more a fashion statement than anything else.

Im getting the feedback from Eurotune that said they have seen MANY like me that are actually trying to make there suspension softer (due to injuries) in my make Polo and have spent thousands with no decent outcome. Mainly due to the car being a short wheelbase , low profile tyres being the key factors. Best advice sell the car and get a bigger wheel base one. Thoughts anyone?

Unless you've done the big brake kit "upgrade", you could fit 15" rims with appropriate tyres (eg 205/50R15, 215/45R15) to get more compliance that way, since the OE 288mm rotor setup will fit inside most 15" rims.

[Splashalot]

FWIW I test drove the current Polo 81TSI with the sports pack suspension and thought the ride miles better than my Mk5 Golf GTI (and therefore I assume your Polo GTI). Slightly better impact absorption and a lot less jiggle. So maybe std Polo suspension is the best bet?

[jivebug]

Thanks for reply are you saying the standard polo is stiff too? Either way there is no way to swap springs or anything from other models im told. Everyone I have rang (30 at least) "suspension specialists" etc, etc, etc, three have said sell it as soon as I told them what I had and maybe three or four were just as honest and how deep is your pocket with very little guarantee that it would be any better. Short wheelbase, tyres and hard spring/shocky combo ALL hard to overcome especially with very little "soft" options available so unless someone out there has done something similar to the same model as mine Im stuffed and will have to sell down the line. Trouble is I like the car and fought so hard for the replacement motor and all the **** I put up with from VW I would have liked to hold onto it. It looks like some of the Pugs are a bit softer on the suspension but still ok with the handling?. Had thoughts (if ride was good) of test driving maybe a 1.2 Polo and chipping it to maybe a Corolla power?LOL

[Splashalot]

I thought the 81TSI Polo went fine. Sure it's no GTI, but still quite sprightly. Depends what you want, I guess. I'd happily trade better ride for a bit less power. But that's me. You may have different requirements.

Have you looked into Koni FSD dampers? I don't know if they make them for your Polo, but possibly worth looking into. Have a look at this test: KONI FSD Dampers Improve Handling Without the Traditional Sacrifice in Ride Quality In particular the graphs tab.

I just priced a set for my Golf - $1400au. You can probably source them much cheaper OS, I expect.