H&R VW Polo 6R Sports Springs

**HRDNTS** · 01-01-2014, 06:31 PM

What I was meaning is that it is more noticeable now compared to standard

More thump and jolt than just thump

**VEEEUU** · 02-01-2014, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by HRDNTS

What I was meaning is that it is more noticeable now compared to standard

More thump and jolt than just thump

Not sure if you also changed the shock absorbers?

Trust me I fiitted the H&R 35/55 springs without changing shock absorbers. It is not a good combo. The 25/40 springs may or may not have same spring rates as the 35/55 however, any change of spring rates needs a complementary change in compression and rebound rates in the shock absorbers.

Chances are you will thump, crash and wallow around (dangerously) like I did. In my case I subsequently installed KONI sport shock absorbers. They have a set firmer compression rate and an adjustable rebound.

Hope this makes sense.

VEEEUU

**6316** · 02-01-2014, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by HRDNTS

For the duty make sure it doesn't say car parts on there... This link was handy Duty Estimator

I had it under car parts with the value as per website in GBP and it just says I don't have to pay any duty... how did you do it?

**HRDNTS** · 03-01-2014, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by VEEEUU

Not sure if you also changed the shock absorbers?

Trust me I fiitted the H&R 35/55 springs without changing shock absorbers. It is not a good combo. The 25/40 springs may or may not have same spring rates as the 35/55 however, any change of spring rates needs a complementary change in compression and rebound rates in the shock absorbers.

Chances are you will thump, crash and wallow around (dangerously) like I did. In my case I subsequently installed KONI sport shock absorbers. They have a set firmer compression rate and an adjustable rebound.

Hope this makes sense.

VEEEUU

In theory the 25/40's should be a lower spring rate but yeah, like you say, the match between the damping and spring isn't that great. They aren't dangerous or anything on my car. The handling is actually slightly improved with noticeably less roll than standard. Its just there isnt as much travel as there was which becomes quite apparent on NZ country roads.

The Koni (FSD or something?) shock absorbers sound like a good idea, but I was trying to keep things relatively cost effective to drop the car from its goofy standard height.

The Polo is my daily, so didn't want to spend too much on it.

cheers

**VEEEUU** · 03-01-2014, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by HRDNTS

In theory the 25/40's should be a lower spring rate but yeah, like you say, the match between the damping and spring isn't that great. They aren't dangerous or anything on my car. The handling is actually slightly improved with noticeably less roll than standard. Its just there isnt as much travel as there was which becomes quite apparent on NZ country roads.

The Koni (FSD or something?) shock absorbers sound like a good idea, but I was trying to keep things relatively cost effective to drop the car from its goofy standard height.

The Polo is my daily, so didn't want to spend too much on it.

cheers

Yes, the extra cost in my case was about $380 for the rear shocks and $640 for the front struts. Remember, your original shockers are working much harder and there is a risk (has been reporeted) of shockers eventually leaking and blowing out. Not sure what the replacement costs of original VW shockers is?

The main issue with rebound control is that when a road "imperfection" is hit (particularly around a bend) the car heeves up, compressing the springs which then want to return to their baseline length. If this uncompression is not controlled by the shocks adequetly, than this uncompression occurs with a jolt. Worst case scenario it can set up like a micro pogo stick oscilation (up and down). This does not help the suspension geometry as the car is being steered around bend with wheel angles being affected by this micro up and down movement.

The flatter cornering stance can be a false sense of good handling. Some of the early front wheelers like the Renault TS16(Now I am showing my age) leaned at incredible angels, but got around bends better than many of it rear drive competitors.

Hope all this makes sense. All the best.

Regards
VEEEUU

**HRDNTS** · 06-01-2014, 01:36 PM

Yeah I'm with you VEEEUU. It aint the best setup thats for sure, but whats a guy to do when VW insist on rolling it out looking like its got a lift kit

**VEEEUU** · 09-01-2014, 04:07 PM

My wife and I are planning to be in New Zealand in mid March this year. We will be in a hotel in Auckland for 3 days.

If you are interested perhaps we could catch up for a coffee and a chat about Polos?

Let me know and I can give you exact dates and hotel name.

Kind regards
VEEEUU

**Helmet** · 11-01-2014, 08:37 PM

I have a set of 35/55 H&R spare. $100 if anyone wants them.

**6316** · 09-03-2014, 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by HRDNTS

Yeah I'm with you VEEEUU. It aint the best setup thats for sure, but whats a guy to do when VW insist on rolling it out looking like its got a lift kit

So I've sourced those springs from AwesomeGTI... they arrive Tuesday. Will probably get them fitted sometime this weekend, and see how it goes!