Front Struts on the way out - Upgrade Time?

[Gravey]

Hey all,

In my last service I was told my front struts are on the way out, so sometime in the near future I'll need to think about replacing them. I'm thinking about coilovers but arent sure what the options are for a Bora V5. I've done a bit of a search and it seems you can spend a fair bit. I'm really just after a bit more stiffness and to be a bit lower, what will give me the best bang for buck? What cost should I be expecting? Is there anything else I need to consider while getting the front struts replaced?

[dubbed]

Coilovers are the best overall choice as you can customise them to suit what you want. For a budget I'd stick to a decent spring and shock combo - something like H&R/Bilstein.

[GoLfMan]

I'd grab some coilovers for it matey and bring it back to earth!

[Gravey]

Thanks guys

Any suggestions on coilovers? bang for buck is the key. I'd probably like to keep it under $2k, is this doeable?

Suppliers in SA, recommended installers?

[gareth_oau]

theres a set of used H&R coilovers on ozaudi

http://www.ozaudi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22039

theyre off a B6 A4 FWD, so do your homework, but they might fit.

Buyer is asking $1500 ono

[Manaz]

For bang-for-your-buck, you'd be hard pressed to beat HotTuning. The V5 Bora has the same suspension attachment points as the FWD Golf, so you're OK there.

[Dub_Star_V6]

Of course, if adjustable suspension is something you think is worthwhile, go for coilovers. And this is rhetorical but if bang for buck is key, do inexpensive 2nd hand coilovers mean 'good value'? Because for around the same price of those 2nd hand coilovers Gravey you could get yourself one seriously good (brand new) spring/strut combo.

I may be wrong and adjustability notwithstanding, I'd imagine around 99% of people set and forget their coilovers once they've found a set-up they're happy with. And depending on spring rate, you won't get much compliance or comfort from coilovers, either. A wise man once told me, "[XXX brand coilovers] have been around for a long time, and I'm sure they will be very good on the Bora. Coilovers will stick like **** to a blanket, but if you want good handling and still have a very nice ride, I suggest XXX springs with XXX suspension, not coilovers."

After a lot of research (and disappointment at the limited range for the Bora 4Motion, not to mention the silly prices people were asking) I stumped for a set of Bilstein B8s mated to Eibach's Pro-Kit, not only because they are a well matched combo but also due to the great reports from other VWWC members, especially regarding the performance of Bilstein shocks. I also investigated KONIs and not only found them to be more expensive, but that they didn't rate quite as highly as the Bilstein items.

The FWDs have a far greater range of options than what I found for the V6 4Mo, so as gareth_oau said, do your B4B homework, as you really shouldn't have any issues tracking down something decent for your V5... even if that means coilovers

[Gravey]

Yeah a friend of mine who is quite knowledgable and into drags suggested I may not be happy with the ride from coilovers.

How do you find 30mm lower Dub_Star_V6? Is it enough? Got any before/after pics

Those springs seem quite cheap @ $275, what did you pay for the shocks?

[Dub_Star_V6]

It's all happening early next week after HRH JMac weaves his mechanical magic wand over it this weekend

I'll be sure to post up the results.

[gareth_oau]

advantages of coilovers:

you can adjust the ride height, and continue to experiment until you are happy, but, as dub_star said, you'll probably not change them after your set.

you can micro-adjust, where as springs come in fixed height.

if you do want to slam it, you can always 'temporarily' increase the height if our constabulary arent to happy you