toti Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Okay so I've had the Eibach Sportlines in for a few weeks now! Initially they felt great and still do on fine roads BUT... as soon as I hit a bumpy piece of pavement, I get a shock as does my dash. This is now more evident with my new job and this means 2 hrs in the car every day and the roads on route aren't that great!! So my dilemma is: - I like the look and handling of my car. - The bumpy journey will make me hate my car very shortly and the rattles aren't too far away either i suspect. My two realistic options are: 1/ Go back to stock springs 2/ Upgrade shock absorbers (more expensive) and will these actually give me the comfort and dampness that I'm after. If I take this route I have absolutely no idea which ones to get Any advice is highley appreciated!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_d Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 If you've lowered your car you should ALWAYS match with equivalent shocks, so your top options are the only realistic ones. IIRC Sportline lower by 50mm, which is quite a low on an already low car, so even with matched shocks you won't be in for a smooth ride. Personally I'd go for the matching shocks as well mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesR Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Sorry to hear your problem. 2hr/day drive should be enjoyable. Your safe option would be to revert to back to standard. (Took a friends R32 for a drive last week - did we buy the right car?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petsy Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Took a friends R32 for a drive last week - did we buy the right car? [/ QUOTE ] Yes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 It's as Stevie advises. I'm afraid that as you have gone for the lower Eibachs (not Pro-Kit) the Koni FSD shocks won't work and those are the ones that automatically soften/harden your ride. Achieving better suspension needs consideration of the whole and not just lowering it. If I were you, I'd put back the OEM and sell the Sportslines on eBay. Then save up for a more complete solution including Anti-Roll bars. I took recently out a fellow TSNer for a ride because he wanted to hear what my Millteks sounded like inside the car before getting some. However, to my surprise he noticed my suspension ride and may now be considering that before his exhaust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32North Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Yep, have to agree, I'd only buy a complete kit rather than just springs, unless you know the springs are the same ones that come with a kit, and the dampers can be bought seperately. have you contacted an Eibach supplier to see if there are some Eibach Dampers to match those springs ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OzGTI Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Toti, From what I'm hearing the advice from Red and Six Degrees seems to be the best going. You need to match springs and dampers. Koni FSD seem to be a good option but I'm not sure whether they work with the Eibach's Have you been back to your supplier? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Hi Oz (haven't seen you around for a bit) > Eibach's Pro-Kit springs are approved by Koni for their FSD dampers. I researched this fully and spoke to all manufacturers concerned before I did mine. It's important to understand that the FSDs will not work properly on a car which is too low - Surely it's a no-brainer as to which is more important: The cool look, or the handling and ride. Koni FSD info I know it's a question of money, but also modding to better Anti-Roll Bars (I use Eibachs) makes a positive difference. This suspension set up also very slightly helps traction in some circumstances. I take my suspension for granted now but so many of my passengers comment uninvited on how well she stays planted flat and handles. If you've got the funds available and are thinking about suspension at all, then I very strongly recommend it. If you are thinking of track, then adjustable Bilstein + Eibach would be a good option to consider. The lower look is great but road ride would be harder and it costs even more money. I was going to post a pic of Ray West's Bilstein+Eibach GTI for you but Photobucket is closed....Will try to remember later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toti Posted September 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Thanks, for the advice guys. Im gonna sit on it for a week or so. I tried a slightly different route today, got the big bumps out of the way and my overall feeling at the end of the trip was pretty good. I also took a friend on the wrong side of 100kg on the trip to work with me, and she (the gti) actually stood up really well - better than when I'm by myself. My friend commented on the suspension, and to him it seemed smooth and comfortable, so maybe after a few extreme bumps, I developed a mental perception that it all fell to the . I wish I had a twin of my car with stock springs to do a comparison cos Im sure even the stocks would struggle with a few of these pot holes! Oh well, I'll experiment for a little bit longer and then I will either go back to stock or stick with the current setup. It's a shame if I had to go to stock though, I've had so many positive comments about how good the car looks after the 25mm drop and the handling + going faster is much more fun too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robintegra Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Keep the Sportlines I noticed my car being alittle firmer but still quiet smooth for UK roads, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Toti > Okay, if you are now getting happier with the Sportlines - Your original post suggested otherwise. Your next suspension mod should be Anti-Roll Bars - My advice is to consider the suspension as a whole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Photobucket up 'n running again, so pics as promised: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toti Posted September 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Toti > Okay, if you are now getting happier with the Sportlines - Your original post suggested otherwise. Your next suspension mod should be Anti-Roll Bars - My advice is to consider the suspension as a whole. [/ QUOTE ] You got a point Red, and next time I dabble with the suspension I'll pay more attention than just the springs. Although the Eibachs are a great spring and I was probably being unrealistic with the comfort expectations... Unfortunately there will always be a trade off, especially the route that I chose to take. A silky smooth ride of a GTI on 17s and stock springs they're not. Having said that these springs are far from "uncomfortable", just got to keep an eye out for those pot holes and bumps! Im sure after another week on the road I'll be able to decide which catagory I fall into. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentandy Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I took recently out a fellow TSNer for a ride because he wanted to hear what my Millteks sounded like inside the car before getting some. However, to my surprise he noticed my suspension ride and may now be considering that before his exhaust. [/ QUOTE ] Indeed! I wanted to hear the famous quads for myself, but the thing I noticed almost immediately was just how good the suspension setup was on Robin's car. It hadn't made the ride harsh at all but managed to keep perfectly flat whilst going around roundabouts etc. I just have to get permission from the finance director, she's not convinced so far... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petsy Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I just have to get permission from the finance director, she's not convinced so far... [/ QUOTE ] you need to show her your credentials ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I just have to get permission from the finance director, she's not convinced so far... [/ QUOTE ] you need to show her your credentials ... [/ QUOTE ] ....A few more weekends away to include shopping trips perhaps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindaloo Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 I'd really like Koni FSD's on my .:R as from what Robin says they have the ideal balance between firmness and comfort that I'm looking for. Anyone know if Koni plan to introduce them for the MKV .:R? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 ....rs32 was looking into that but didn't want to wait IIRC. A phone call to AwesomeGTI should give you an answer....0161 776 0777. HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindaloo Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 [ QUOTE ] ....rs32 was looking into that but didn't want to wait IIRC. A phone call to AwesomeGTI should give you an answer....0161 776 0777. HTH [/ QUOTE ] Cheers RR, Awesome are quite near me, I'll call in for a chat when I'm passing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 ....Any excuse to enjoy driving that VeeDub, eh? Say Hi to Andy (sales etc) from me (Robin) . I've already spoken with him twice today! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oli Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [image]http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b308/RedRobin_05/West_GTI. [/ QUOTE ] Thats Tims car from South Coast Wheels(now in liquidation unfortunately), as the Plate suggests - T1M VW, it is 270BHP by the way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 ....I know - I've driven it (when I took the pics). It's tuned by Ray West. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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