Lowering springs... what's the ride comfort like?

[insanekiwi]

Hi guys,

Now I have invested some money for the sway bars... (not on the car yet)

I am deciding whether putting on the lowering springs are worth it.

I can get 1 month old H&R lowering springs (35mm) for GTI for $240NZ as someone offered me. Progressive...
He thinks the ride comfort was not compromised... but then he is trying to sell it! Obviously when he sold the car, the buyer did not like the springs, and got the factory ones back in.

Anyone here with just lowering springs with stock shocks?

Qs
1) As comfortable as factory? if worse, how much worse?
2) Shocks still okay? - as not designed for that height
3) How much did u pay for the installation?
4) Any regrets getting springs only... i.e. rather leave it factory / or coilovers
5) With 35mm lowered, any problems with drive ways and speed humps. The factory height - I didn't even scratch even once... anywhere...

Thanks!!!

[MINTpolo]

Hey, ive had eibachs for about 5 months now, here are my thoughts.

1) Not much worse, i prefer the tighter dampening on the compression stroke compared to the softish stock setup, not much harsher over sharp bumps than standard.
2) I think the shocks are fine, they dont feel mismatched, (I think VW sell eibachs from the factory with stock shocks in europe as a sports supension option on some cars) The eibachs are also only a minimal drop, only 25mm which is good for keeping the cars suspension geometry in pretty much the right place.
3) Install was a home job by myself and a friend, took about 3-4hrs.
4) I would only upgrade to coilovers when the standard shocks wear out, which might be a while. I also dont like the jiggly pitching ride quality I have felt with coilovers. I dont want to go back to stock either.
5) I cant forsee to many problems, the polo overhangs arent that long.

--->Mitch

[DaveMack]

Thanks, you two. You've asked and answered all the questions I had about putting Eibachs on my Pogo.

Dave

[insanekiwi]

Thanks MintPolo!

I should really think about getting those H&R springs... I heard only good things about them..

[Spec83]

I've been thinking about getting a custom set of extra low lovells when new wheels are ordered after the conti's wear out...

I wonder how long the stock shocks will last...

[DaveMack]

I've been thinking about getting a custom set of extra low lovells when new wheels are ordered after the conti's wear out...

I wonder how long the stock shocks will last...

Chip it, Mark! Chip it.

Dave

[VWindahouse]

I'm in if someone wants to look into a group buy for eibachs. Anyone have any contacts????

[Funkdancer]

I caught up with GT3 recently to inspect his fully APR'ed Polo and say hi. OM*G what a monster drive, it's just completely unreal what he's been able to do with both the power and handling of his pug. Must congratulate him on a job extremely well done.

Now, what's the relevance to this thread? Well he had a look at my car and thought that hey that's not so stock looking. Closer inspection is required but there's a very strong possibility that the previous owner already put Eibachs in.
Which would be funny as I kept reading this thread thinking why would you lower the Polo, it's low enough as it is, isn't it?

Anyway my own (now very slow) Polo should hopefully come out well once I got the rear sway bars and brake pad/fluid update. Can't wait it to take it somewhere appropriate for a real drive.

[VWindahouse]

Awesome luck mate if they are indeed Eibachs!!! Enjoy

[GT3]

Closer inspection is required but there's a very strong possibility that the previous owner already put Eibachs in

Hey funk glad you enjoyed the ride

See MINTpolo's (white GTI photos) in link, that's exactly how funk's car sits and when I looked more closely, the springs had a glossly black paint finish - can someone confirm that they're Eibachs??

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=9212

[PeterHBne]

So what have you done to your Pog GT3?

Would probably be a good sticky really - not everyone (myself included) has details in their sig.

[GT3]

nothing spectacular really, it's still has the stock turbo. Just bc we took corners at 160, ...that isn't out of ordinary is it? what's funk on about

[MINTpolo]

Hey funk glad you enjoyed the ride

See MINTpolo's (white GTI photos) in link, that's exactly how funk's car sits and when I looked more closely, the springs had a glossly black paint finish - can someone confirm that they're Eibachs??

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ead.php?t=9212

My Eibachs are a very dark grey charcoal sort of colour. Stock springs are shiny black.

[GT3]

For the premium you pay for Eibachs, they barely lower the Polo, not acceptable for $$$ IMO.

[MACCAA]

For the premium you pay for Eibachs, they barely lower the Polo, not acceptable for $$$ IMO.

I bought them for the spring rate,not the height.Flaps' car is a good example.Looks great,very low,but bounced around Eastern Creek like a Pogo=no suspension travel.I was in it on the road recently and the ride was painfull.
Mine's about 10mm lower in the front,and 20mm in the rear.Handles,and still has plenty of travel.You have to come up with a compromise with the condition of our roads.
Cheers
Len