Hottuning coilovers for polo gti $950 fitted

[binnyvo]

Hey guys and gals, I just saw this offer on the 'Parts for sale'. I'm after some thoughts(good or bad). Has anybody had any dealings with this comany before? I'm seriously considering getting it done 'cause I want my little beast to sit lower. Thanks heaps in advance.

Cheers, Binh.

[VW GTI]

People seem to rave about them for other cars, I don't know how comfy they are, but they do lower it a fair chunk.

[Celestine]

They have adjustable height and rebound dampening, so you should be able to make them reasonably comfortable. However, being coilovers, they should give you a much stiffer ride compared to the stock GTI suspensions. Effectiveness - I dont know (but IMO I think shocks are sufficient for street).

[Timbo]

Just adjustable height, as I read the spec. If they also had (easily) adjustable damping, they'd be well worth a good look, at that price.

[Lorenz]

Only adjustable height, but Im pretty sure they are a progress rate shock, so the lower you go, the stiffer the rate of the shock. Ive had a set of these in my MK3 for a few months now and love them! Havent had any problems with them and very very compfy ride for a daily, but hold up well in the hills and soon to find out how good they are out on track Couldnt be happier and for the price its hard to say no.
Of course they are going to be as fantastic as KWs or Bilstiens, but dont forget they are like half the price
Trust me, you wont be dissapointed!

[Celestine]

Yeah - chased up a price for Bilsteins... $3400 fitted

Guy Harding (Harding Performance), can get SACHS coilovers, which might be worth a look into if you're serious about getting new shocks.

[GT3]

This comes up on the forum quite a lot. Do I go for shocks and springs, coilovers, lowering springs on their own, etc. Most people have there own opinions and recommend what they know. Afterall, it's not easy or cheap to have the experience of various set-ups on the same car.

Shock absorber compression and rebound is always going to be compromised/designed to the surface you're driving on. Stiffer shocks work well on nice smooth tarmac, whereas softer ones can work much better over bumps and uneven surfaces. This means you should consider the roads you drive on most when choosing your set-up.

Coilovers, in general, are track orientated and have firm rebound rates. Great on smooth tracks, but they let the tyres skip over bumps leading to less grip and more understeer. The 'bells and whistles' fully adjustable ones still give a tooth rattling ride, and once they're adjusted and on the car, will you really be changing them again??? I can't think of anyone that does for road use. It's an expensive venture for a car that won't handle as well as a standard suspension kit under everyday conditions. However, if you intend on doing lots of track days, they're brilliant.

Can't afford a suspension kit and just want lowering springs? Chances are your suspension won't be up to it. The shocks will be operating half compressed and not within their normal tolerences, and you'll end up with an ill-handling bouncy beast.

The best option then, is the shocks and springs kits. And the best of those seems to be the Bilstein and H&R combo. The Koni are also very good once you're used to them.

Another question is how low to drop it? - there isn't really a right answer but 25-35mm is the acceptable norm. Going any lower will limit the range of travel in your shocks, and even if they're designed to go lower, the ride won't be good. ....and you're more likely to have tyre rubbing problems.

[VW GTI]

Nice explanation, very true. I'm trying to get the PSS9s so it's easy to adjust them without taking the wheels off etc.

The best option then, is the shocks and springs kits. And the best of those seems to be the Bilstein and H&R combo. The Koni are also very good once you're used to them.

Slightly off topic, anyone know how much this is and where from?

[jasn78]

i have theese in mine also go by the name of vmaxx and i can say handle great but rock hard

[Timbo]

Yeah - chased up a price for Bilsteins... $3400 fitted

That'd be for PSS9s I'm guessing

[thepowercosmic]

...
The 'bells and whistles' fully adjustable ones still give a tooth rattling ride, and once they're adjusted and on the car will you really be changing them again???....

While I agree with you to a point, that once adjusted, not many people will be changing them again.

But where I must strongly disagree with you is your point about the tooth rattling ride.

While I don't want to sound like I'm bragging, because I know that there are much better coilovers than mine, I do consider mine to be fully adjustable. The coilovers that I have on my car do not provide anywhere near a tooth rattling ride but rather a well controlled smooth and predictable feel. Ask anyone that's driven my car.

Which brings me to the moot point of me reading and replying back to this thread. I originally thought that this thread might be about HSD coilovers.

I'd also like to add, I don't own a Polo and you get what you pay for.

[DubSteve]

Coilovers, in general, are track orientated and have firm rebound rates. Great on smooth tracks, but they let the tyres skip over bumps leading to less grip and more understeer. The 'bells and whistles' fully adjustable ones still give a tooth rattling ride, and once they're adjusted and on the car will you really be changing them again??? I can't think of anyone that does for road use. It's an expensive way of getting a car that won't handle as well as a standard suspension kit under everyday conditions. However, if you intend on doing a lot of track days, they're brilliant.

How can you say that,I compared two VRs that I have ne standard height and the other with a set of height and dampness adjustable, the difference in everyday is amazing, more control of the road and I find I had better grip. Better than stock suspension!

Also it goes to the point of saying that for the price of the Hottuning coilovers they seem to be a decent set, then again I also go back to thinking that you get what you pay for.

[The_Hawk]

How can you say that,I compared two VRs that I have ne standard height and the other with a set of height and dampness adjustable, the difference in everyday is amazing, more control of the road and I find I had better grip. Better than stock suspension!

Also it goes to the point of saying that for the price of the Hottuning coilovers they seem to be a decent set, then again I also go back to thinking that you get what you pay for.

A standard suspension kit is usually a compromise between handling, comfort reliabilty and price.

Lower suspension gives less travel so you will get a rougher ride, although the degree will vary depending on spring and rebound rates. Lower suspension also means less body roll so better handling. Couple that with strut braces for less body flex and it starts to come together.

Cheaper non adjustable coils are good for lots of people since they will never adjust them. Ever. Hell I'd bet that most people won't even change the height after they are put in.

In short yes my ride quality it less than what it was at stock, but not so much that it would bother most people. Handling is much improved, in truth if I got half the handling benifits I would still do it, it really is that much better.

As for you get what you pay for... prices are set by two factors, cost of manufacture and supply/demand. Manufacture costs are low, we are talking a pretty mature technology here so your left with supply and demand. Historically the demand was low so to recoup manufacture costs and turn a profit prices were higher. Now as more people buy into what used to be a very specialist market prices will drop. IMHO the makers of high price brand name product are used to charging so much and don't want to charge less... as long as people keep paying, they will keep charging.

Consider what makes a non adjustable coilover over a stock item anyway?
Essentially it's a thread and some bolts round the outside, otherwise it's a glorified shock As long as it's made from the right metals, it's all good.

There is some arguement for things with lifetime warranty, but consider the premium your paying for that, then consider how long you will keep the car and how often you would need to replace your "cheap" option before it would matter... then consider how often that is really likely.

[DubSteve]

Interesting there Aaron you also have to take into fact that the quality of the coilover ie some made with better quality metals and I know its been said before but thats also a big factor. There is also the point where people might feel that the cheaper option was a better ride for them, this is usually the factor as I found it was the other way around lol.

[The_Hawk]

Interesting there Aaron you also have to take into fact that the quality of the coilover ie some made with better quality metals and I know its been said before but thats also a big factor.

Very true, build quality will always be a consideration, but there is a point where better isn't actually better for a given applications.
I'm sure the stupidly expensive setups used in rally cross are insanely good by comparison, but while it's nice to buy the top of the line and there has always been the rule of thumb to 'buy the best you can afford', there is a point at which the additional costs are not justified.
Yes you wouldn't buy a product if it would break/bend/warp over the first missed (or should I say hit) pot hole, but if the product holds up well in daily use on the road (or even the ocasional track day) it can't be a bad compromise.

Having said all that, it really depends on the car and what your going to do with it. Yes if it's an all out track car the 'better' more expensive option may be warranted, but if it's a road car and if your spending 50% the value of your car, maybe it's not. Even 10% the value might be questionable in a road car when there are options at less than one thrid that cost that may very well last the lifetime of your car.