double whammo

[seangti]

Take a base model polo out for a spin and see what you think of the suspension compliance. That'll give you some idea if it can be softened by the desired amount. A low profile tyre will transmit more back into the cabin, even going from a 40 to 45 series tyre will have marginal improvement, also run at the lower end of the desired tyre pressure range, say 32psi rather than 36psi. Wouldn't go much below 32psi though.

As for a tune, they aren't drastically different. Some variation in the amount of boost and timing which effects how it comes on boost, it's otherwise splitting hairs IMO. Some have more features, e.g. APR, some are better priced, e.g. Custom Code. Albeit in the 9N polo, my cars have ran Custom Code, Superchips and VAGAutowerks (from the U.S.), I've also driven APR cars. It comes back to the level of desired dealer support, preference for future modifying and associated costs. APR don't typically like you adding no APR parts down the track, so say you add intercooler, exhaust, intake, etc, and want a retune, APR may be more difficult to obtain support.

[kaanage]

If you really wanted to experiment then you could try some springs off the less sporty models but the car will ride high.

Softening will mean a lower weight rating spring. Most professional suspension shops should know that.

Actually, these 2 are likely to cancel out to some extent - ie, the length of the springs of the less sporty models will be longer but the lower spring rate with heavier GTi front will cause these springs to compress more so the overall ride height should not be as high as the less sporty models. And low ride height doesn't help handling nearly as much as most people here assume - it's more a fashion statement than anything else.

Im getting the feedback from Eurotune that said they have seen MANY like me that are actually trying to make there suspension softer (due to injuries) in my make Polo and have spent thousands with no decent outcome. Mainly due to the car being a short wheelbase , low profile tyres being the key factors. Best advice sell the car and get a bigger wheel base one. Thoughts anyone?

Unless you've done the big brake kit "upgrade", you could fit 15" rims with appropriate tyres (eg 205/50R15, 215/45R15) to get more compliance that way, since the OE 288mm rotor setup will fit inside most 15" rims.

[Splashalot]

FWIW I test drove the current Polo 81TSI with the sports pack suspension and thought the ride miles better than my Mk5 Golf GTI (and therefore I assume your Polo GTI). Slightly better impact absorption and a lot less jiggle. So maybe std Polo suspension is the best bet?

[jivebug]

Thanks for reply are you saying the standard polo is stiff too? Either way there is no way to swap springs or anything from other models im told. Everyone I have rang (30 at least) "suspension specialists" etc, etc, etc, three have said sell it as soon as I told them what I had and maybe three or four were just as honest and how deep is your pocket with very little guarantee that it would be any better. Short wheelbase, tyres and hard spring/shocky combo ALL hard to overcome especially with very little "soft" options available so unless someone out there has done something similar to the same model as mine Im stuffed and will have to sell down the line. Trouble is I like the car and fought so hard for the replacement motor and all the **** I put up with from VW I would have liked to hold onto it. It looks like some of the Pugs are a bit softer on the suspension but still ok with the handling?. Had thoughts (if ride was good) of test driving maybe a 1.2 Polo and chipping it to maybe a Corolla power?LOL

[Splashalot]

I thought the 81TSI Polo went fine. Sure it's no GTI, but still quite sprightly. Depends what you want, I guess. I'd happily trade better ride for a bit less power. But that's me. You may have different requirements.

Have you looked into Koni FSD dampers? I don't know if they make them for your Polo, but possibly worth looking into. Have a look at this test: KONI FSD Dampers Improve Handling Without the Traditional Sacrifice in Ride Quality In particular the graphs tab.

I just priced a set for my Golf - $1400au. You can probably source them much cheaper OS, I expect.

[brad]

I don't know about suspension going @ 70K Ks, that's abit absurd. Softening will mean a lower weight rating spring. Most professional suspension shops should know that.
As for Chip, I think you could research into Revo?

Why is it absurd? A damper is a wear part. VW fit a reasonable quality product but (depending on the driver & where / how you drive), it's pretty well a throw away by 100,000km and certainly not working at its' best at 70,000km. If it was a Falcon or a Commodore they'd be totally stuffed by 40,000km.

A mate of mine has a 2012 Polo 77tsi. We changed the dampers out in that for Koni Sports at 10,000km - they were like blamange.

I ran a "professional suspension shop" from 1982 to 1987, and still do occasional work for friends so I think I have a bit of an idea how long suspension components last.

What you need to understand is that (good) dampers have low speed and high speed valving and also different ways of dealing with primary & secondary bumps.

I like Koni over Bilstein because the Koni tuning is very compliant on initial movement. Bilstein tends to be a bit harsh - I assume because they want it to feel "sporty". Some of the Bilstein struts also suffer a bit of stiction (excessive friction that needs a decent bump to get them moving).

By 70,000km I'd also be having a really close look at the amount of wear in the suspension bushes. If they are starting to deform then they won't be as compliant & the suspension components won't move as smoothly as they should.

[brad]

Thanks, any preference and why for CC or DNA (or REVO)? ta

Cheaper but still a good product.

The APR product is very good but a lot of the purchase price is marketing costs.

[brad]

Im getting the feedback from Eurotune that said they have seen MANY like me that are actually trying to make there suspension softer (due to injuries) in my make Polo and have spent thousands with no decent outcome. Mainly due to the car being a short wheelbase , low profile tyres being the key factors. Best advice sell the car and get a bigger wheel base one. Thoughts anyone?

As I mentioned earlier, I have a mate with a 2012 Polo 77tsi. This guy knows how to pedal a car (he's much faster than me) and knows a lot about suspension and vehicle handling. Possibly one of the most gifted amateur mechanics I've worked with. The Polo is the "shared car" with his wife. Before that his wife had a very nicely sorted Ford Fiesta on Koni Sports (fantastic compliant ride but incredibly planted around corners) and his previous cars were a Lotus Evora, Lotus Elise & a Gen4 Liberty with aftermarket bilsteins and custom wound springs to his specifications (and some other suspension trickery).

One of his main criteria is that his wife shouldn't be able to tell the car has been "made sporty". He does about 30,000km/yr and a lot of the roads are fairly crap.

Here's what he had to say when the car reached it's 3rd birthday & 92,000km:

no Polo I've driven rides & handles as well as this little jigger we've got.

Koni dampers, Seat steering weight & offset bushes. Supple, malleable, grippy. I love it!

His setup is:
OEM 15" rims (6" width???)
195/55r15 ContiPremiumContact2 tyres. I think he runs about 36psi - maybe 38...
Koni Sports adjustable dampers - fronts about 1.5 turns from soft; rears about 1 turn from soft. (I think there are 3 turns of adjustment)
Steering weight reset heavier (Seat spec) via VCDS
Front lower control arm bushes replaced with Whiteline Nolathene items with increased caster.
Whiteline W53189 Control arm - lower inner rear bushing (caster correction)
Whiteline W52091 Control arm - lower inner front bushing

And a REALLY GOOD WHEEL ALIGNMENT!!!! (Most shops haven't a clue how to adjust these cars and just do the toe on the front).

I'd get the ride the way you like it & worry about the tune later.

[brad]

Thanks for reply are you saying the standard polo is stiff too? Either way there is no way to swap springs or anything from other models im told. Everyone I have rang (30 at least) "suspension specialists" etc, etc, etc, three have said sell it as soon as I told them what I had and maybe three or four were just as honest and how deep is your pocket with very little guarantee that it would be any better. Short wheelbase, tyres and hard spring/shocky combo ALL hard to overcome especially with very little "soft" options available so unless someone out there has done something similar to the same model as mine Im stuffed and will have to sell down the line.

I get the feeling you are asking the questions wrong.

All the parts are interchangeable - maybe you need to talk to a VW specialist?

Also, if you are asking for a guaranteed result you won't get a straight answer.

Here's the process for a fix:
Have a really knowledgable suspension place inspect all your suspension including bushes & strut tops. If it's Pedders then get them to check the dampers on their machine. You should also find out the spec for the spring height measurement (hub to guard distance) to see if the springs have sagged excessively.

Change to 15" rims with either 195/55r15 or 205/55r16 tyres. Run them at 34psi.

Still too hard?

Change the dampers to Koni FSD or Koni Sport (set 1/2 turn off soft).

Still too hard?

Change the springs - this will require some research but personally, I'd go to a wrecker & get some 1.2tsi springs.

[jimmedy]

The APR product is very good but a lot of the purchase price is marketing costs.

APR price includes a lot of support and helping customers take their tunes off / on again for trips to dealers etc, free upgrades in the case a revised firmware comes out and free upgrades to higher 'stages' if you go the whole enchilada with other mods.

Of course, to some people that will present value for money, to others none of those things will appeal to you whatsoever.

With a 2014 car starting out with the first of many intended mods, all that support from APR appealed to me.
You with an older car, a few years out of warranty and perhaps not chasing further mods might not see the same value.

I'm not super thrilled with the 'sports' suspension on my Audi either, but I acknowledge I bring a lot of that on myself by running 18" wheels and tires @ 40psi. I just ordered a Bilstein B14 kit after a lot of research, but then I'm not trying to solve neck pain, so perhaps not the option for you. Common opinion seems to be that it makes the suspension less 'crashy' though, which is a key part of what I'm after.

Final thought, seeing as you're in QLD - you're not far from APR HQ. Go in and talk to Guy or one of his team. IIRC from the website they actually offer the APR ECU upgrades as a try-before-you-buy for half a day. Maybe that's an option for you?