Polo tsi --> gti spring install

[jsoto2005]

Hey boys, just a quick one.
I have a 2012.5 TSI, stock.
Would like to correct the 4x4 height at the rear.
I bought some near new 2016 Polo GTI springs.

Now, ive read the GTI springs are too harsh for some, but im thinking its because of the low sidewall and bigger wheels.
I have stock tyres 185/60/R15 i believe, so maybe the ride will be bearable on my tyres?

Does anyone know if the GTI springs will lower the ride height much?
Or will it be almost the same just firmer + stick to the road more?

Got a service coming up in 2 days so any help before then would be great.

Thanks in advance.

J.

[Sydneykid]

Being a pessimist, how many K's has the car done? From memory the GTi was 10/15 mm lower than the TSi and common spring settling is around 3 to 5 mm in the first 5,000 k's then 1 mm or so for each 10,000 k's after that, depending on load of course. That happens up to around 60,000 k's at which time the original shocks are commonly past it and can no longer control the spring oscillations. This commonly results in spring fatigue which can often accelerate the settling. So, if you put, say, a new pair of GTi springs in a TSi that has done say 60,000 k's then it is quite likely that they won't lower it much at all. Plus of course the shocks will be past it, keeping in mind that they weren't valved for the slightly higher GTi spring rates in the first place. Of course the higher spring rates will accelerate the shocks' deterioration.

Again from memory the GTi springs only have about a 10% increase in their rate, so I'm not even sure that, ignoring the above, it's even worth the effort to swap them if improving the handling is a consideration. I'd be far more likely to recommend a rear swaybar, that would make far more of a difference.

Having swapped wheels & tyres from a TSi to a GTi Golf I can answer the second question with a most likely yes, the lower profile tyres make more difference to the ride comfort than the slight difference in spring rates.


Cheers
Gary

[jsoto2005]

Thanks for the reply.
My TSI has done 50,000ks
The GTI springs not sure, but couldnt be more than 30,000 as the car was relatively new then, theyve been lying around waiting to be put on.
I would put aftermarket springs in, but i like OEM and i already have these so im tempted to try them on. If the shocks need changing soon anyways, so be it. The car is rarely driven nowadays so its more of having it sit right and still be comfortable and practical.

[MRZ]

I'm new to my 2015 Polo and was reading about the optional sports pack and luxury pack after getting the car, not that I was wanting to spend more on it but the I read the sports pack has lowered suspension. How low it is I'm not sure.

If you want more lowered then you will need aftermarket shocks and springs.

A crappy method people want low is to cut a coil off the spring for the low look, its more for show and does not do anything good for the car.

[Sydneykid]

I'm new to my 2015 Polo and was reading about the optional sports pack and luxury pack after getting the car, not that I was wanting to spend more on it but the I read the sports pack has lowered suspension. How low it is I'm not sure.
If you want more lowered then you will need aftermarket shocks and springs.
A crappy method people want low is to cut a coil off the spring for the low look, its more for show and does not do anything good for the car.

I've not heard about a "sports pack". I thought the choices were "Luxury Pack" which includes LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof and comfort sport seats with black Alcantara inserts. The other is the "Driver Assistance Pack" which features satellite navigation, parking sensors and driver fatigue detection System.

From memory the GTi is 10/15 mm lower than the non GTi models, packs make no difference to the height.

Cheers
Gary

[jsoto2005]

I've not heard about a "sports pack". I thought the choices were "Luxury Pack" which includes LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof and comfort sport seats with black Alcantara inserts. The other is the "Driver Assistance Pack" which features satellite navigation, parking sensors and driver fatigue detection System.

From memory the GTi is 10/15 mm lower than the non GTi models, packs make no difference to the height.

Cheers
Gary

I got those Alcantara Seats installed in the TSI and i absolutely love them, if i remember correctly it was like a $4000 option for that pack.

So 15mm huh. its not a lot but maybe worth a try so see how it sits. I've measured the height its at now and ill do before and afters.

A crappy method people want low is to cut a coil off the spring for the low look, its more for show and does not do anything good for the car.

Not sure about this because im pretty sure the rears are not straight coils theyre egg-shaped coils so small-big big-small on the ends.
I've cut springs before on old commodores and anything over half a cooil or so and the ride starts to get bouncy - I had someone smack their head on the roof once lol danger

[MRZ]

I haven't looked into the "packs" that much but here is the article I read on the Polo with the mention of "Sport Pack" 2016 Volkswagen Polo Review | CarAdvice

15mm drop really aint much, a couple case of beers in the boot will probably drop it that much LOL.

[jsoto2005]

I haven't looked into the "packs" that much but here is the article I read on the Polo with the mention of "Sport Pack" 2016 Volkswagen Polo Review | CarAdvice

15mm drop really aint much, a couple case of beers in the boot will probably drop it that much LOL.

Checked out that article, mannn there is some tension in those comments, a lot of arguing going on.

Anyways those wheels on the latest Polo Comfortline are very nice, whatever they are called great design, maybe a set of them (if 16" and over) might be worth buying to bridge the wheel to fender gap. You're right about the weight on the rear, I might try placing a small weight in the "hidden storage" to get some spring sag aswell.

[Sydneykid]

I haven't looked into the "packs" that much but here is the article I read on the Polo with the mention of "Sport Pack" 2016 Volkswagen Polo Review | CarAdvice

You're right, the non GTi models have a "Sports Pack" option as well as a "Driving Comfort Package".

Cheers
Gary

[amazeer]

In 2012 there was comfort pack, sports pack for the tdi/tsi.

comfort pack has climate control aircon, auto dimming mirror, tyre pressure sensor, rain sensing wipers.
sports pack has boavista wheels, tinted windows, front fogs, tyre pressure sensor, nominally 15mm lower springs.

From memory I think comfort was $600, sports was $1500. Both worth the money IMO. No you didnt get a discount if you got both, you pay for tyre pressure sensor twice. Its the least desirable inclusion, kinda useless. You dont get a warning until it drops to about 18psi. I guess its more of a puncture warning than a maintenance due warning. By the time pressure gets that low its pretty obvious anyway. I dont know whether its because I have stopped looking after 4 years or if it has settled, but from new, I still thought the rear was too high even with the sport springs.

I dont know if its wheels and tyres or springs, but the sport pack makes the ride quite a bit firmer than the standard tsi I test drove. Unless you're cruising the worst of Sydney roads then it isnt that bad. If its too firm you should buy a camry.

[jsoto2005]

In 2012 there was comfort pack, sports pack for the tdi/tsi.

comfort pack has climate control aircon, auto dimming mirror, tyre pressure sensor, rain sensing wipers.
sports pack has boavista wheels, tinted windows, front fogs, tyre pressure sensor, nominally 15mm lower springs.

From memory I think comfort was $600, sports was $1500. Both worth the money IMO. No you didnt get a discount if you got both, you pay for tyre pressure sensor twice. Its the least desirable inclusion, kinda useless. You dont get a warning until it drops to about 18psi. I guess its more of a puncture warning than a maintenance due warning. By the time pressure gets that low its pretty obvious anyway. I dont know whether its because I have stopped looking after 4 years or if it has settled, but from new, I still thought the rear was too high even with the sport springs.

I dont know if its wheels and tyres or springs, but the sport pack makes the ride quite a bit firmer than the standard tsi I test drove. Unless you're cruising the worst of Sydney roads then it isnt that bad. If its too firm you should buy a camry.

Good info. I have a mixture of all of that actually. Got the Comfort pack, love my rain sensors, auto dim mirror, and climate control. Didnt like Boavistas, although looking back i probably should have opted for the S Pack. I ended up getting a full set of Alcantara's from a polo that was written off, got the GTI springs (getting installed as i type) and the fog lights, ordered a retro fit LED type that fits in nicely imo. So a bit of a pick and choose, but should end up well, only thing i wished i ordered was a sunroof, ill proli get it aftermarket, also the rev camera and heated seats which i think were options only for the S Pack but ill find a way of putting them in.

[MRZ]

Oh poo, $600 for Comfort pack is pretty good as I would have liked the climate control. Dealer didn't give me any pack options though I'm guessing he just wanted to sell what he had in the yard and clear "old stock" as my car was built in 2015. But for me buying a 81TSI over the 66TSI is an upgrade in itself

Found some more info on the packs on the VW site. Page 8 on the PDF. Two for 81TSI and two for GTI

The reverse camera I think became standard from 2014 onwards (along with daylight running lights). Maybe can get the rev camera from a wreck and try to fit it up. Or the mk6 Golf rev camera

[jsoto2005]

Oh poo, $600 for Comfort pack is pretty good as I would have liked the climate control. Dealer didn't give me any pack options though I'm guessing he just wanted to sell what he had in the yard and clear "old stock" as my car was built in 2015. But for me buying a 81TSI over the 66TSI is an upgrade in itself

Found some more info on the packs on the VW site. Page 8 on the PDF. Two for 81TSI and two for GTI

The reverse camera I think became standard from 2014 onwards (along with daylight running lights). Maybe can get the rev camera from a wreck and try to fit it up. Or the mk6 Golf rev camera

There was a guy from Gumtree that does original part installs of vw rev cameras into rcd510's. He said he'd install mine for around $600-900 depending on if the CD unit needs replacing, pm me if you need details and ill see if i can dig up his number from my phone. I also called VW and they said they could install heated seats relatively easily now that i have alcantaras so ill be looking into both those things soon.
Oh and on the 77tsi-81tsi difference topic, my mechanic said he heard of someone doing a flash tune that made crazy difference in power from the tsi models, not sure what figures but he drives a 911 so if he says its fast its fast, proli not anywhere near a GTI power but apparently only cost around $600 too so that sounds interesting.

[MRZ]

Yeah my car is a 81TSI and yours a 77TSI, but most things are the same like the suspension, interior, option packs. I'm still new to my car so still learning about it. I got the reverse camera as standard.

As for the tune, I have been browsing to see whats out there. Would like to get more power out of mine and make it more responsive and zippy without the lag.

Good luck with the lowering of your car, hope it turns out alright.

[Lucas_R]

There was a guy from Gumtree that does original part installs of vw rev cameras into rcd510's. He said he'd install mine for around $600-900 depending on if the CD unit needs replacing, pm me if you need details and ill see if i can dig up his number from my phone. I also called VW and they said they could install heated seats relatively easily now that i have alcantaras so ill be looking into both those things soon.
Oh and on the 77tsi-81tsi difference topic, my mechanic said he heard of someone doing a flash tune that made crazy difference in power from the tsi models, not sure what figures but he drives a 911 so if he says its fast its fast, proli not anywhere near a GTI power but apparently only cost around $600 too so that sounds interesting.

DNA Tuning in Melbourne do a tune for the 1.2TSI and 1.4TSI just in case that's who you are referring to. Here is a link to a thread from 2011 (bit old now) but there are plenty of 1.2TSI owners on here with a DNA Tune. http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...lia-55245.html