Spring Decision - Eibach v H&R

[vkswgn]

I've got a decison to make and I'd love some help.

I'm getting my 06 GTI (with 17in Exor STPs) lowered but I don't know which springs to go with.

I can get an Eibach Pro Kit or H&R Sports Springs for approx. same price.

Both will drop car by about 20mm (H&R maybe 5mm more).

Is there any reason why I would choose one over the other?

Product quality, ride quality, etc.

Thanks, Andy.

[SidGTi]

How much are they charging you? I'm actually looking to lower my car as well so if you could tell me how much the springs cost that would be much appreciated vkswgn!

[SoVeReIgN]

If the Eibach kit comes with shocks get that.

You definently want matched springs and shocks rather than just replacing springs and using the standard shocks.

[vkswgn]

SidGTi: approx. $600 (just the springs for now), plus $260-$300 for fitting and allignment.

[Byi]

What company where you looking at?

I have been in corespondance with Mike from VWSPEED,

http://www.vwspeed.co.uk/volkswagen/index.php?p=home

and to give you an idea of what is compatiable for a 9N Polo GTI,

The H&R suspension packages are :
Sports Lowering Spring Kit for £121.
Sports Cup Kit 40mm Front lowering and 35mm rear lowering with Uprated shocks and springs for £480.
Coilover height adjustable set up are £713.These must be used with H&R anti roll bars to allow for correct levels of clearance.

Eibach do for this model is a Lowering Sports Spring Kit, it is £142

Cheers,

[VWindahouse]

What company where you looking at?

I have been in corespondance with Mike from VWSPEED,

http://www.vwspeed.co.uk/volkswagen/index.php?p=home

and to give you an idea of what is compatiable for a 9N Polo GTI,

The H&R suspension packages are :
Sports Lowering Spring Kit for £121.
Sports Cup Kit 40mm Front lowering and 35mm rear lowering with Uprated shocks and springs for £480.
Coilover height adjustable set up are £713.These must be used with H&R anti roll bars to allow for correct levels of clearance.

Eibach do for this model is a Lowering Sports Spring Kit, it is £142

Cheers,

Hey mate, I would be interested in tacking on an order if that helps you with the price and freight etc. I would want the eibach pro kit springs. Can you request a landed price from your contact??

Cheers,
Anthony

[MINTpolo]

Ive got the eibachs, i reckon they match pretty well with the stock shocks because the drop is not too severe and the spring rates arent too hard. I bought mine for under 600 from GSA motorsport here in Brisbane, but fitted them myself.

[VWindahouse]

Ive got the eibachs, i reckon they match pretty well with the stock shocks because the drop is not too severe and the spring rates arent too hard. I bought mine for under 600 from GSA motorsport here in Brisbane, but fitted them myself.

Yeah that's exactly the feel and look I'm after! The plan is to use the stock struts until they crap themselves then come the Konis!!! Mintp do you have any photos showing the drop??

[MINTpolo]

The plan is to use the stock struts until they crap themselves then come the Konis!!!

that was my plan too, but i have a feeling they will still last a long while.

pics

[VWindahouse]

that was my plan too, but i have a feeling they will still last a long while.

pics

Awesome mate thanks for the pics! What would you say about 2-2.5cms?

[MINTpolo]

yeah i reckon 20mm settling down to 25mm at the front, looks like it should have from the factory imo. Apparently the geometry of the polo front suspension (like the mk4 golf) doesnt like being lowered too far because it can induce negative handling effects.

[VWindahouse]

yeah i reckon 20mm settling down to 25mm at the front, looks like it should have from the factory imo. Apparently the geometry of the polo front suspension (like the mk4 golf) doesnt like being lowered too far because it can induce negative handling effects.

Yep makes sence. Were they hard to install?

[MINTpolo]

uhh, yes and annoyingly no.

Rear is a 10min job, no interior trim to remove! (unlike my old car)

Left front is not too bad, just have the tricky bit of spreading the clamp that cradles the strut base and then wiggling the strut up and out.

Right front = complete PITA. Because of the long driveshaft on that side, theres not enough room to get the spring/strut assembly out of the clamp. This means u have to either drop the front subframe to get more leverage (tricky option i wanted no part of) or do what i did which is kinda dangerous and time consuming, and that was to compress the spring while it was on the car so i had enough room to get the strut up and out. An extra pair of hands and a rattle gun help alot.

Oh, i forgot to mention that the struts held on at the base by a tamperproof high tensile bolt so u need a good pair of vice grips. Also, the strut clamp that you have to spread to get the strut out requires a "special tool." i just used an old flat brade screw driver which worked a treat. Any online DIY guides for mk 4 golf's/ jettas you can find are worthwile reading because the suspension is essentially the same.

[vkswgn]

Awesome mate thanks for the pics!

Ditto. With the 17s on mine it should look a treat.

Speaking to the guys in the know (ToPerformance in Vermont) they said 20mm for the Eibachs. Because the GTIs are already 15mm lower than std, that's as low as this kit will go (drops the standard polo 35mm - bit of maths for you guys ).

BTW i found a comparison of these exact springs (what are the chances?) - they're hanging off a beamer, but you get idea. It seems as though the Eibachs might give a slightly nicer ride for a daily drive (like mine). Not too much difference though, so doesn't make my decision any easier - maybe the Eibachs though?

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/tests/eibach_hr_rd.jsp

[MINTpolo]

I had eibachs on my previous car, and becuase of my positive experiences there, i decided to use them again. They may not be the firmest ones around, but they work in a way that indicates the company actually paid attention and matched them to the car. The polo's already brittle/harsh stock ride quality on sharp bumps hasnt gotten too much worse and its removed alot of the squishiness.