Replacement Coilovers, New? Second Hand? Where? Please help.

[kendog]

Those ST coilovers are of reasonable quality, but at the end of the day they are an entry level low budget coilover with no adjustability other than height.

The cup kits are a matched set of lowering springs and new shocks. Personally I would prefer to have a cup kit (and this is what I normally do) instead of an entry level coilover.

Also, what do you think of the Bilstein ones without damp adjust?
403 Forbidden

I can get a set of those 'today' for about $1850.

I have just been baulking at the price... add on some new factory mounts, we're around $2k... and the car is only insured for a bit over $5k... Not sure.

These OK? or Cup Kit a better option (even if I have to order from OS and wait)?

Thanks!

[Lucas_R]

Those Bilsteins are directly comparible to the ST coilovers - essentially the same, just different brands. Same/similar pricing, so choose whichever you prefer.

And yes it is a lot of $$ to spend on a Mk4, totally understand that.

The Cup kits will be....what....about $500 cheaper? So around $1200-1400 or so? These will give you the same/similar ride quality but the only thing you are missing out on is the ability to choose your ride height.

[dubster99]

Haha, yeah mate, been a while! Still keeping the (now old) girl running! Ha!

That's great to hear mate! I wish I could say the same with mine but after the conversation I could never get it running right. We moved house and it's sat for the better part of 8 years...

[kendog]

That's great to hear mate! I wish I could say the same with mine but after the conversation I could never get it running right. We moved house and it's sat for the better part of 8 years...

Oh no, I assumed you were still daily-ing it like me, not that I do that many km working from home a lot, haha. I just ticked over 210,000kms (on the chassis, the engine has about 33,000kms less).

[kendog]

Those Bilsteins are directly comparible to the ST coilovers - essentially the same, just different brands. Same/similar pricing, so choose whichever you prefer.

And yes it is a lot of $$ to spend on a Mk4, totally understand that.

The Cup kits will be....what....about $500 cheaper? So around $1200-1400 or so? These will give you the same/similar ride quality but the only thing you are missing out on is the ability to choose your ride height.

OK, thanks Lucas.

Update on pricing/research...
The only 'cup kit' that I can see that's noticeably cheaper than basic coils from an 'ok' brand are the "H&R Touring Kit", and I think that works out to be about $1250 shipped from ECS (having a LOT of trouble with their shipping calculator, but chat staff usually help).

Research has a lot of people leaning/referring more towards the Bilstein B12 kits, (Bilstein B8 shocks paired with another brand's lowering springs) for a better ride (comfort) and apparently the H&R shocks/struts not lasting/riding so well (but their springs (Sport Spring Set etc) fine to pair with other shocks (Koni, Bilstein, etc, "Ride is amazing" apparently)).

A lot of people recommending the Bilstein B12 combo with the Eibach 'Pro Kit' springs... Springs are a slightly more modest 1.2" drop front and rear. And many people saying a much better ride overall compared to other kits/combos. Some say this is the best cup kit combo. 1.2" drop seems like a safer bet if I can't change later.

I might have just gotten ECS down to around $1632 AUD shipped to Newcastle. (seen this combo for $2835 or something here is Aus).

So it could be either those (better ride, no height adjust), or the BC Racing BR coilovers for $1550 (height adjust (just read might be min. 2" drop (too low)), damp adjust). Both probs 2 week+ wait.

[beale187]

Have you looked at these?
Solo-Werks S1 Coilover - Volkswagen MK4 Golf / Jetta, Audi 8N TT, 8L A
– Solo-Werks Australia

Had them on my Bora for a while and was impressed especially at the price point. Fixed dampening though

[kendog]

Ha! I was just looking at these last night and today! Right now actually!

I'm confused on the lowering/drop heights though...
ECS says 1.2"-2.0" F + R...
403 Forbidden

Which suits me, as these days I'm looking for a bit less lows (and a bit better handling of potholes/driveways/coastal roads/etc. that are finding me more often).

My current/old FK AK Street coilovers are apparently '1.4 - 2.25" F, 1.4 - 2.25" R', and I'm already at the top of the rear perches trying to not scrape on some bouncy/uneven roads...

So, I thought 1.2" to 2.0" drop sounded good to me... but the other links I've found to those coilovers at other places/suppliers (like your link)... are saying:
Lowering Range: Front- 40-70mm (1.5-2.75), Rear- 40-70mm (1.5-2.75).
Solo Werks S1 Coilover System - VW (A4 MKIV) Golf Jetta New Beetle Audi TT (8N) 98-05 2wd

So what to believe? Is it worth the risk that the rears might not be quite high enough (by a few measly mm)?

How was the ride quality for you? Any other feedback or traits they have?

I'm still torn between these ($ incl. shipping, main options in bold):

A) A cheap replacement Coilover set... (Solo-Werks ~$980 / FK Street ~$750-900),

B) A 'decent' or good quality Cup Kit... (H&R Sport $1280 / Bilstein B12 ~$1630 (Bilstein B8's + Eibach Pro-Kit Springs 1.2")),

C) Or 'decent' coilovers... (BC Racing BR (separate height adj, damp adj) ~$1500 / Bilstein B14 (height adj, fixed damp) ~$1850 / Megan Racing or Godspeed on ECS?).


I am waiting to hear back from BC Racing because they don't seem to know what height adjustments the shocks are capable of. And the only part supplier that says what the heights are is ECS... who might not be on the ball with this one either...
They have both the 'normal' BR coilovers saying very low (2 inch minimum and 3+ Inches of total potential drop), and then the special order 'Extreme Low' versions that also say the same (2 inch minimum and 3+ Inches of total potential drop).
So kinda makes you think they've just copy and pasted the extreme low bullet points. Very confusing.

I keep crossing my fingers that a decent quality second hand set will pop up...

[Lucas_R]

Before you get too excited about Solo Werks - they are out of stock. I looked at these as an option for you the other day, but didn’t bother putting up a link as they are sold out.

[kendog]

Thanks, yeah noticed that, so it was one of the options I was trying to get ECS to do 'realistic' shipping prices on (that is an ECS price).

The guy at ECS just told me not to buy as they're cheap, but also said they don't really get that many returns... but also said apparently people had them blow out after warranty... but they just added FK's and Solo-Werks to their 'lifetime warranty'... I don't know.

Possibly leaning back to BC again... all the options for $500 more...