AP Coilovers - Review

[Gti Dave]

I don't really want to go low (been there done that) but would deffo consider these APs since they seem to be good value - would probably just leave them at their highest setting though, speaking of which, would I be right in saying they'd be similar to H&R ones where it'd drop the car by only about 15-20mm since the GTI is already about 15mm lower than other Polos?

Nope, lowering upgrades are based on the vehicle model application and hence would result in 35mm lowering of the Polo Gti.

[RhysQ]

Nope, lowering upgrades are based on the vehicle model application and hence would result in 35mm lowering of the Polo Gti.

You're absolutely right Dave, I put the H&R springs in my car expecting the "20mm" drop and when the hoist lowered the car down the car just kept on going down with it. I seriously reckon it's closer to 40mm once they've settled (and once the shocks are sagging haha)

[Preen59]

Car looks good dude.

[ef9]

Your ride looks awesome!!!

i just got my H&R springs put in, should have got the bilstein shock with it too, and put them in together.

Good write up by the way

[barra240t]

Do any of you guys with H&R's have pics? I would like to see how low your car looks!

[seangti]

Do any of you guys with H&R's have pics? I would like to see how low your car looks!

Check out the pics thread, or some of the qld cruise pics - mine will be in there somewhere and has the H&R's. It's a silver one.

[VWindahouse]

Here is a link for my polo http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ad.php?t=33911

They have settled fairly low!

[noone]

Update:

My car has become a noise breeding ground.

The front left has a soft knocking noise, frequently.
The front end has a noise like the springs are hitting something when it goes over the slightest of drops in road height (really cant describe properly).
the rear clanks when the road height drops.

Car feels fine, but the noises are not appreciated. I'll see if I can get the installers to have a look at it early next week, the noise is detracting from me enjoying the ride.

Could have something to do with the new bushes, front sway bar, etc. Wait and see.

[noone]

Ok, guess its time for an update.

All my noise issues have been resolved, none of which seem to have been directly from the coilovers (good news).

I had issues with the front swaybar set to hard (overkill) and the Modeo Droplinks. Gone back to stock droplinks and using the softer setting on the Aftermarket front sway. Associated noises gone.

Other noise was related to the Brake Upgrade, now sorted as well.

Suspension feels pretty good, its definately a street setup which is good for Sydney roads (pretty horrible around where I live). Works well with the sway bars.

The rear suspension coil seat (part the bottom of the coilover sits on) went in as the rear springs were moving around. Height has been raised at the rear marginally.

The front has been wound up as the front end settled in the first 48 hours, the height is much the same. With the Seat front lip and slight mod to the wheel arch lining, I don't have any scrubbing issues (not that I'm hitting speedbumps fast or cornering at high speed on bumpy ground).

Going on the VW Cruise on Sunday, hopefully the car will handle nicely through a few twisties.

[noone]

Well, after a few months of riding low, the rough ride got to me.

I wound the front up 2 full rotations (about 1cm) and the comfort has greatly improved. The springs were too compressed when low, causing the car to jolt on any sudden dip in the road height (so many lateral sections in the roads near me).

I'm now aware that the rear of the car is slightly lower than the front (1 cm, could be slightly more). When viewed side on, its not really noticable.

I'm interested if the Polo should be even (front to back) or maybe lower at the front for handling, braking, aero-dynamics or anything like that. I'd have to put the rear adjuster rings in, so isn't quite as easy as adjusting the front.

Cheers.

[Roodosutaa]

Hmmm tempted... still waiting for the mighty aussie to hit parity with USD or the euro or pound sink deeper into the s#ite

So in terms of ride comfort how does the highest ride height compare with stock?

The rear shocks/springs look easy to swap out, being a cheapskate I might do the back ones myself then take it to a suspension shop to do the fronts and get an alignment and save a bit on labour

[noone]

probably best of you come feel it for yourself, I would say it could be too rigid for some, but I've got swaybars and front brace which add to it. There are a few comments on the Polo UK site.

I have no idea how it handles accept for low, only way I've ever had it. The back adjustment is just the spring seat height, so I don't think there is much comfort adjustment there.

Not sure how hard the suspension would be to fit, I think a lot of the battle would be getting the original gear out, probably a little more tricky than getting the new parts in. Help if you had a spring compressor.