double whammo

[jivebug]

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies I shall "mull" over them . I suppose the Konis FSD`s with labour would be nudging the 2k mark? Changing rib size is good except I would have to not only buy the rims (any suggestions re style and places to buy?) but would have to let go my specially painted Denver ones (to look like Detroit ones) damn good job to! Are tyre sizes, range, cost cheaper with the measurements you suggested? Ta

[Splashalot]

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:


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.

I might send you and Steve some PMs, Brad. You speak sense and cut through the cr@p.

I've been slowly going mad trawling the net reading reviews and speaking to a few mainland suspension places & distributors on the phone. I cannot get a convergence of opinion - every obviously has different requirements/circumstances and an idea of what constitutes good ride/handling. I've exhausted the local suspension retailers' knowledge, and lets just say I seem to know more than they do! And that is damning with the feintest of praise.

Sorry to the OP for the thread hijack.

[OUR6R]

I use the Koni adjustables on my 77 comfortline. My wifes car essentially so when i want to take it for a quick squirt i adjust a number of turns towards hard and the difference is quite noticeable.

[Splashalot]

That would be Koni Sports (yellow)?

How is the rude on full soft? Specifically, is is firm and jiggly, or smooth?

[pologti18t]

If you want hot hatch performance and a compliant ride then the 208GTi is the one to look at (I have one).
Otherwise take the advise about uprated Koni shocks. I had some fitted to my old Astra SRI (koni yellow). That car ride well with the stock suspension... with the Koni it literally glided over crap backroads. Best money I spent.

I would also look tyres (when the old ones wear out) that have a more premium luxury bent than an all out performance tyre.

I'd also get someone to look at the suspension bushes to make sure none are damaged. Replace with rubber bushes.