Suspension Recommendations

[Buller_Scott]

hi FLYINGTI,

all of the above information is very sound, from people who've been playing with their suspension for years.

what ARE your goals? what are you hoping to achieve with new suspension?

someone (i forget who) with a polo gti in here is running FK streetlines - fixed damping, but im sure not too bad for the occasional spirited drive, and height adjustment. they're FK's least expensive option and FK directs this product at people who just want to get low.

perhaps shoot james lorenz a pm (SlammedDistribution) and ask him how much he'd charge? i've dealt with slammed distribution when i got my FK's and the prices were very reasonable, quick delivery, great customer service.

but what are YOU buying the new suspension for? looks, performance, or both?

[seangti]

Got a quote for B8 dampers and H&R springs landed for $935 recently.
95% sure this is the setup I'm going with, just can't decide if I want my intercooler more

That price makes my eyes water, bargain. Would be mad to not get this set up over coil overs (IMO). I track my car, the increased feedback and performance from going from standard to this set up is fantastic. 2 seconds a lap quicker on the QR sprint circuit and on tyres that were aging, no other changes or mods, car was other factory. The increased feel through the car was much better resulting in the better laps times and ability to drive to the limit with greater control and confidence (until I put the Kumho ku31's on, and lost a second a lap and some car control, lol).

[noone]

Would be mad to not get this set up over coil overs (IMO)

you should be able to get higher quality damping with a cup kit than coilovers for the same money (springs are springs unless you are buying utter çrap

I'd like to know more. One of the reasons I went with KW's is there was so much good feedback on VWW about them. Long term reliability, good ride, etc.

I've not heard anyone say that springs are springs before

As for there being much difference between the 2 on our car, the rears are separate and the fronts mount in the same fashion, but on an adjustable perch. Is this a marketing vs engineering perspective?

[FLYINGTI]

I'd like to know more. One of the reasons I went with KW's is there was so much good feedback on VWW about them. Long term reliability, good ride, etc.

Well that exactly what im looking for, i want something reliable, nice looking and not to obnoxious to drive!

ATM the Tiguan suspension isn't doing to much for me!

Kinda Has the daddy long legs X Praying mantis look haha

[kaanage]

I'd like to know more. One of the reasons I went with KW's is there was so much good feedback on VWW about them. Long term reliability, good ride, etc.

I've not heard anyone say that springs are springs before

As for there being much difference between the 2 on our car, the rears are separate and the fronts mount in the same fashion, but on an adjustable perch. Is this a marketing vs engineering perspective?

The

all things being equal (and they never are)

aspect comes into play. Most of the tuners buy coilovers in vastly greater number than cup kits (people tend to buy just lowering springs or jump straight to coilovers) so the volume skews the economics away from the basic production costs which makes KWs, Weitecs and FK able to sell good coilovers (the FK ones with Koni dampers) at prices equal to or lower than cup kits. KWs (and Weitecs) and Bilsteins and Konis and others all make good dampers but there are some cheap coilovers that have been known to have failed damper seals within a couple of years of installation.

If a spring doesn't sag and has the appropriate rate for the application, then it works. You could argue that a better spring will be lighter or allow for tighter winding (so more camber and caster adjustment is possible) but most coilovers and cup kits have very similar weights and outer diameters so what's the difference.

You would need to check the design of the chassis to determine why the rear has the dampers separate from the springs - it may well be a packaging or production optimisation. The unit rate for damping and springing will be slightly different with the units separated but it is unlikely to be significant.
On the front, the MacPherson strut layout basically forces the damper to be housed concentrically within the spring assembly.

[seangti]

You're really best to see if you can have a run in someones car on the same or similar roads. Handling wise, coilovers have the ability to offer much more handling per dollar, but at a compromise of other attributes and only you can weigh that up.

My friends whom have had coilivers have had to replace them multiple times due to failures. Fulcrum coilovers were replaced/back to the workshop every 12months (3 times) as they'd leaked oil and/or had other knocks. Others from my subaru days were running racing logics which also commonly leaked. Handling was fantastic when they worked, though on the street/mountain run, there's bugger all in it point to point between strut/coil.

When it comes to suspension, I'm a "do it right, do it once" kinda person so can rest comfortably that a koni or bilstein (and KYB) strut will outlast my ownership of the vehicle. If/when i go coil overs on a car, I'll be going to the pointy of end of town and would also be doing corner weighting, etc, to maximise the value on that investment.

[Buller_Scott]

When it comes to suspension, I'm a "do it right, do it once" kinda person so can rest comfortably that a koni or bilstein (and KYB) strut will outlast my ownership of the vehicle. If/when i go coil overs on a car, I'll be going to the pointy of end of town and would also be doing corner weighting, etc, to maximise the value on that investment.

but you've already got the HR/Bilstein combo - alot of people would say that you're already sorted.

anyway, to the OP - you said you want reliability, something that looks good, and something that's not "obnoxious" to drive.

what does that mean?

[Stuwey]

Low is, as they say, a lifestyle.

If you want it low, you better get used to it!

[seangti]

but you've already got the HR/Bilstein combo - alot of people would say that you're already sorted.

anyway, to the OP - you said you want reliability, something that looks good, and something that's not "obnoxious" to drive.

what does that mean?

I'd only go coilovers for a dedicated track or highly modded street car (which the polo will never be), I'm chuffed with my set up and the compromise. But, back on topic

[FLYINGTI]

I'd only go coilovers for a dedicated track or highly modded street car (which the polo will never be), I'm chuffed with my set up and the compromise. But, back on topic

Haha Obnoxious means!

when u see those wound down pulsars hitting a bump and having after shock 100m down the road
=) Low can still have a good ride

[safetyman]

Very happily recommend my H&R Cup Kit.
Great ride quality, good height (not too low, but appears to be at least an inch lower than standard) and excellent control.

If I compare them to my sons Koni/King springs combo, it's very easy to feel the difference between a matched spring/shock and just a lowered spring + shock.

The control, particularly on rebound is far superior with mine.
You can feel the shock reigning in the spring whereas my sons car has that momentary, "I'm in a roller coaster clearing the hill....Aargh!!!" sensation

[kaanage]

Do your son's Koni's have rebound adjustment (most do). It'd be worth him dialing it up a bit if it feels floaty/jouncy with the King springs. Plus what car are they fitted to?

[VWindahouse]

I think it may also be the kings. From what I've read from back in my Toyota days kings are not the best springs or combo with koni's but definitely check out Kaanage's suggestion first.

I have Koni yellows with H&R springs and even on the softest damper setting the combo is seriously planted even when pushing hard. Even Jason who has Vmaxx coilovers on his Polo had a go last week and said the konis were more solid and planted than his.

I fear something may be amiss sorry to say.

[safetyman]

They're on an MX5 and they probably just need a little more play with the rebound settings.

Initially they were on too stiff and the car was being thrown off every pothole.

I'm probably showing my age.
At the stage now that I just want my stuff to work out of the box, which the H&R's do.

I'll report back once they're sorted.
Hard to pry the car out of his hands at the moment

[Hah44]

Does anybody know of a supplier in brisbane// gold coast for Coilovers for the 9n3 GTI?