Best coilovers for application

[s4mmie]

Hi all,

I'm a new member to the forums, recently picked up an '07 gti
Absolutely loving the car!

Planning on fitting up a set of coil overs and 17 Detroit reps, love the OEM+ look.
Taking it all in stages, as my wife uses it during the week, till she gets used to it (and I'm happy the new wheels won't meet any kerbs )

At the moment I'm tossing up on suspension options.. searched the forum for a while but couldn't really find any definite answers.

I think coilovers will be the way to go, simply for height adjustment alone. What I'm after is the best options to keep a relatively comfortable factory-like ride (adjustable rates?) and improve the handling while getting the drop I want.

So far I've gathered a few good options are:
H&R 35mm springs and Konj yellow/bilsteins (not coilovers but may be cost effective)
Weitech Hicon GTs (cheaper KWs?)
KW V1s
AP coilovers (heard they're cheaper Weitechs?)

So basically I'm after something that wont sacrifice ride tooo much and improve the handling nicely
If anyone has any personal experiences or comparisons that would be handy )

[MissVuks]

Only diff between weitecs and kws is one is galvanized steel and the other is stainless steel. Seeing as we dont throw salt on our roads in winter to melt snow, save yourself the $$ and get the weitecs. I can't notice the difference and I'm running weitecs (betweem kw/weitecs)

I previously had the Bilsteins B12 kit and found it too harsh for where I live/drive (gota love parramatta rd). But in saying that, they are a firmer set up.. Depends on what you like I guess..

The dollar is too good at the moment to pass up a coilover set up - rather than going separate spring/shock set up..

Regardless, can't go wrong with kw or weitecs

[kaanage]

I previously had the Bilsteins B12 kit and found it too harsh for where I live/drive (gota love parramatta rd). But in saying that, they are a firmer set up..

So was it the spring rate or the damping that was too harsh?

And spraycanmansam, if you can decide soon, this thread could save you some money on shipping

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f24/group-buy-kw-suspension-59119.html

[pog]

Apart from the coilovers, if you don't add a Whiteline RSB, you gotta be kidding yourself! Others, vouch for me, you know it's true!

[noone]

I'm not sold on the whole Weitec are KW's thing... I just don't see it being true. Through my reading of suspension setups on other cars, people have pointed out considerable differences in ride quality and handling.

Could it be they are the same for our little Polo? Sure, why not. It was not a big production car.

To the OP, what's your budget? What do you want most? Drop, handling or comfort?

I've had the AP's (stiff), H&R springs and now KW's. The H&R springs was very comfortable until the shocks went. The KW's are nice, but certainly not stock comfort.

To me the Polo was pretty useless when chipped without a rear sway bar. This changed a lot. The KW's are freaking good on my car now and. The price from UK is excellent. I liked the H&R with stock Shocks, it was low and handled better, but had an oscillating effect as the shocks were too soft. Once they gave way, potholes were barbaric.

No single answer mate, get someone to take you for a drive to get a feel for their setup. Where are you located?

[seangti]

Can I throw longevity into the equation?

Anyone had these coilovers for 50,000km and had them inspected?? Back in the sooby days, racing logics came on the scene about half the price of its nearest competitor. But 12months on and many people had strut oil everywhere, the things had simply worn out, others had bent dits and pieces.

Another freind was wearing out Fulcrum coilovers every ~12months, they were replaced under warranty and granted he lived on country roads, but what a PITA. I won't knock the brands mentioned as I have no first hand experience with them so would only be asking the question about longevity.

[s4mmie]

Fantastic, just the type of responses I'm after
Whats the RRP on a set of Weitechs and KW's? Also, any preferred dealers? Ditto for the H&R/Koni setup.

Seeing as the missus drives it during the week, I'd have to lean more towards comfort. It shouldn't be too hard to get it reasonably close to a standard feel with ~30-40mm drop.
Maybe a set of Koni Yellows and H&R springs would suffice. I've read when you adjust the dampers it can get close to a stock feel while still getting a sensible drop.
I'm not keen on putting springs without matching shocks... been down that road before and I don't want to be redoing the suspension setup too soon. I guess price will determine the choice as I probably want to spend around $1500 max.
Might have to sort out that whiteline sway bar too..

[noone]

It would be good to buy locally, support the Aus guys out there. I couldn't justify the additional costs.
KW's can be had if you buy from DPM in the UK for around a grand landed (mention you're from VWW).
Weitec can be had for around $660 + postage (ballpark $200) from here

I'd be leaning towards the H&R / Koni setup.

Swaybar is good, I've done a little playing with sways recently, did a little writing here. You can add it later.

How many kms on the Pog? It might be worth refreshing some other suspension related parts that may be worn and are more accessible at the time of the install. I've had strut bearings come apart when removed the last 2 times, stock rear control arm bushes are flimsy and may already be fairly spent.

[WHTPOLOGTI]

Yes i have the H&R Springs with stock shock combo. Car has now done about 70 000KM. Now looking at getting the KONI yellows. Would this be the most comfortable setup with daily driving? Anybody know any KONI dealers in melb where i can get prices. With the AUS dollar so high hopefully they will be well priced. $800-$900 for a set?

[s4mmie]

Ok that gives me a good idea of prices to think about. Have to get a price for the H&R/Koni combo.
DPM performance has KW V1's for 531 pounds... I've gathered the difference between the KW variants is adjustability. If both the Weitechs and KW V1's are non adjustable rebound/compression, I think I'll be better going the Weitechs (doesn't seem like there's anything extra for the dollars?)

It's got 35K on it, which I was pretty happy with.
Not new to cars, but new to the lil Polos, so by all means, if there's things I should look at while I'm under there let me know

Have plans to get it chipped but sorting out the suspension first as it seems a little.. nervous? uncomposed? when your driving hard already.

[Stuwey]

Surely the best option is, as always, the best you can afford?

Bilstein/H&R here.

[Buller_Scott]

Yes i have the H&R Springs with stock shock combo. Car has now done about 70 000KM. Now looking at getting the KONI yellows. Would this be the most comfortable setup with daily driving? Anybody know any KONI dealers in melb where i can get prices. With the AUS dollar so high hopefully they will be well priced. $800-$900 for a set?

as the other guys have said, it would appear that local dealers arent REALLY willing to adjust pricing to match our strong dollar - you'd be better off going to somewhere like dpm performance or euro performance etc etc.

RE WEITEC & KW: not to dissuade anyone from providing feedback / their experiences etc etc, but just to put the whole "is weitec really just KW?" thing to rest, the ex aussie distributor for KW told me that KW is nice, but weitec is the same thing (minus the "protection against salty roads" treatment).

given that we dont actually get snow in australia (well, we get a pathetic, pitiful amount that can be disregarded), weitec hicon tx adjustables would make a nice, cost effective alternative to kw v2's.

[kaanage]

Bilstein/H&R here.

What combination of dampers and springs do you run? Is it a standard kit or custom selection?

[Stuwey]

Off-the-shelf B8 dampers with the H&R 35mm (?) drop. I'm not exactly sure, it was a while ago that i did it.

Drives a lot firmer. Points-and-shoots much nicer. Looks cooler

Bilstein are also easily, and cheaply, rebuilt or revalved.

[Buller_Scott]

Off-the-shelf B8 dampers with the H&R 35mm (?) drop. I'm not exactly sure, it was a while ago that i did it.

Drives a lot firmer. Points-and-shoots much nicer. Looks cooler

Bilstein are also easily, and cheaply, rebuilt or revalved.

yeah, b8's with HR 35mm springs gives the pog a perfect drop, IMO.