Shocks, springs, coilovers ? ? ? $ $ $

[FL00DY]

Hi guys. I'm having to look at new suspension and this is an area I really have little clue about. Not really sure what my budget here is, maybe $1500. I want lowering but also want it to corner better then stock. I'm a little concerned about comfort, Seb says mine is the firmest riding Polo he's driven. I'm sure my spine hates me a fair bit and not a lot of friends enjoy driving in my car (might also be my right foot).

As I'm not doing much track work anymore, I don't really think I need much adjustment, if any at all.

I'm not a fan of buying big ticket items like this from overseas. Yeah it might save lots of $$$ but may also cause more grief then I would like. So who has what, where did you buy from, how do you like living with it compared to stock? Also it's been a LONG time since I did any spirited driving so I wanna know how it went when you really pushed it hard through a mountain pass.

I know I've done a lot of km but this car just costs me money all the time. Radiator, CV joints, shocks, bushes. Oh and I still need to fix my hatch lock and putting my 5th set of tyres on this Sat

[FL00DY]

I'm thinking of stretching the budget for some Weitec's

[VWindahouse]

A set of Koni Yellow damper adjustable struts matched with H&R spings 45mm drop would actually come in just under $1500AU. Good combo and nice even drop with no speed bump or driveway issues. And the Koni's are really easy to adjust and can be set to same feeling as the stock polo suspension for city driving.

Goodluck with it all!

[jasn78]

I am in agreeance with Ant here floody, I have vmaxx coilovers which i find way to harsh for everyday driving but on a nice smooth mountain run they are great. I have also driven Shaneth's car with the koni yellows (not sure which springs) and i got to say i much prefer that ride.

[GoLfMan]

Mate,

Slammed Distribution is a company run by someone on here, Lorenz, that get's wicked prices for whatever your suspension needs

give him a PM

I'd personally go weitec coilovers, great value at around $1300 (i think?) Better than a cup kit thats for sure

[Stuwey]

H&R 35mm drop springs, Bilsitein B8 (i think? its been a while) dampers. Massive improvement at speed, whilst not feeling much stiffer than when the car was standard. I still do big interstate road trips with no discomfort. Came in just under your $1500 mark, and I fitted it all up myself.

No such issues with speed bumps or steep driveways etc. Bilsteins are cheap to fully rebuild when they wear out, too.

I'm very happy with it.

[noone]

I've got the AP Coilovers, they were about $850 landed. With the whiteline sways and rear control arm bushes the ride is firm at low speeds but over about 80k's its smooth. My setup is not supple, but is heaps of fun at speed and traction is rarely an issue.

For that price you could go a standard set of KW V1's direct from the UK (install may bump you over your budget). I've not heard anyone say a bad thing about the KW's.

I had MAJOR issues with freight from Aweseome GTI in the UK, but they did help me work through a warranty situaltion when one shock arrived bent.

[GoLfMan]

Weitecs ARE KW's..... in a different shell

[gtimonkey]

Hi Floody not sure what you are currently running on your pog

I am running front and rear whiteline sways (currently set on soft), H&R springs, Bilstien B8's, strut brace and seat control arm bushes. I got a lot of the hardware while back from Eurospec Motorsport. Gti Dave on the forum runs this shop. He was good to deal with.

My car handles great but it is firm. I think that at this point it is limited by the tyres - I still run cheapish tyres and standard wheels. It is great fun on smooth twisty roads. I have also run it on rougher surfaces (upto O'Reilly's for the SEQ people) still handles great but it is testing on your spine/arse.

I have ridden in Ant's car (VWindahouse) a while back and my recollection is that the ride feels softer and more livable than mine does now - but it was while ago. My recollection may be tainted by my tightly clenched buttocks - the red devil is fast. Jimmy has worked on and driven both cars regularly it would be interesting to hear his opinion.

In terms of bang for buck the seat control arm bushes, strut brace and rear sway bar all made big improvements. I was surprised at the difference the strut brace made - it is much more accurate and the steering feels meater but it was added after all the other mods. I am tempted by rear strut brace and the orange tuning control arm brace - since this mod. I think the next step suspension wise would be a camber/caster kit.

[insanekiwi]

Good thread floody, because I had the same issue. I have H&R with stock shock + 17" wheels. I find the ride quite harsh, especially when the surface changes... It's great at track, as you don't need to deal with crazy bumps and pot holes.

I also want something comfortable without making the car any higher or lower. So for me Koni adjustable sounds the best. I might try to make it 'soft' setting for the RSB as well.

The car goes crazy hard, but I don't drive hard all the time.... and I tend to drive Audi A3 now when I am going away on long distance trip as it's just more comfortable.