What are the best cheapish lowering springs for a 2008 Polo GTI?

[hayden2235]

I got a 9n3 Polo about a month ago and it gets a lot of body roll in corners with stock springs and shocks. I figured the cheapest way to make it corner a bit better could be some stiffer and lower springs. I was just wondering if anyone had any horror stories or problems when lowering their car, or if there were any springs that are better value than others. I'm looking for a 35/40/45mm lowering spring and hoping the cost will be less than $300.

Thanks

[h100vw]

I got a 9n3 Polo about a month ago and it gets a lot of body roll in corners with stock springs and shocks. I figured the cheapest way to make it corner a bit better could be some stiffer and lower springs. I was just wondering if anyone had any horror stories or problems when lowering their car, or if there were any springs that are better value than others. I'm looking for a 35/40/45mm lowering spring and hoping the cost will be less than $300.

Thanks

H&R and Eibach do springs but they aren't the best when combined with stock shocks

I'd save up for a proper kit/coilovers. Or get a rear anti roll bar.

Gavin

[sambb]

Yeah you're pretty well locked into a few european brands for springs. Add in there Weitec (now defunct I think) and ST by KW (which I suspect are just weitecs rebranded). Factor in fitting cost especially on the front struts if thats not something you'd normally do ( 3hrs labour) and you may have to double do that job if you decide to add uprated dampers later. As long as you are aware of, and will drive around their limitations, rear anti roll bars really do transform the car and kill off alot of the roll. You may be happy with just that.

[Bullet Fast]

I have some very cheap weitec springs for sale... About $100 plus postage or pickup from Liverpool Nsw. Google part numbers for details.

[hayden2235]

Thanks guys. I'll go with the anti-roll bar and see how that goes. If I wanted to lower the car (from an aesthetic point of view) do you think lowered springs would ruin the ride or just not improve the handling?

[hayden2235]

By how much would those springs lower the Polo?

[sambb]

Bullet Fast, I've PM'd you.

[PoloGIT]

By how much would those springs lower the Polo?

You'd have to do your own research but I think about 15 - 20mm. I have just bought H&R from Germany via ebay seller offroadmeister, Took about 8 days to my door, for about NZ$250. They are supposed to be good for a 30 - 35mm drop. Will soon find out how accurate that is but guess it depends how much the old springs might have sagged.

[kaanage]

Or you could get out the angle grinder....

[seangti]

If I wanted to lower the car (from an aesthetic point of view) do you think lowered springs would ruin the ride or just not improve the handling?

Ruin.

If you want it to handle, check the front lower control arm bushes and replace if they're knackered and add the rear sway bar. There is very little geometry play in these things, so somewhat limited in that regard. Springs alone, the car is under dampened and floats all over the shop, you'll notice the secondary movements, particularly at highway speeds on B roads, it's awful IMO. Others are more accepting of the ride, but I'd advise against, particularly if you enjoy punching corners.

[brad]

I agree, the OEM dampers are for decorative purposes only. That would be the first place to make improvements.

[PoloGIT]

Ok, for those of us who have gone down the H&R spring route, what's a the current thinking on a good shock to team them up with? Cheers.

[brad]

Ok, for those of us who have gone down the H&R spring route, what's a the current thinking on a good shock to team them up with? Cheers.

I fitted Koni Sports Adjustable to my mates 77tsi Polo at about 8,000km. He probably drives faster than most of you guys and he's very happy with them.

[seangti]

I went with Bilstein as the price difference between them and Koni was very marginal at the time. Koni's have adjustable dampening. I'm very happy with the bilsteins. If you drive on poor roads, perhaps don't go the lowest of the H&R springs available.

Check out Demon Tweeks, DPM, OrangeTuning and PSI Tuning if you're buying online. It may still be cheaper to buy coilovers. I bought H&R coilovers for OrangeTuning and surprisingly didn't get hit with import tax, so was like $1400 delivered and they were great to deal with. To source the H&R coilovers locally was over $3k. Though they are firmer than ideal on a street oriented car.

[Bullet Fast]

MCA Blue Series FTW. $1500 ish and you get to choose your own springs.