Lowering Options in Australia

**belegur** · 05-04-2013, 06:00 PM

Hey all...

There is a great post over on Briskoda about this, but some of the kits they're using are different to what is readily available here.

Looking to drop my Fabia RS MK2 a bit... there's a H&R kit that's well priced, but apparently it's a 25mm drop at the front, and a 40mm drop at the rear. I'm concerned the wheel arch gaps won't be consistent, and the car will look like it's carrying 2 large adults in the back all the time.

Has anyone out there lowered their RS? If so, what springs did you use? and did you find much difference in the ride or handling? Does the car squat evenly front to rear... or is it raked higher at the rear or front?

Any feedback appreciated.

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**LunchboxVRS** · 05-04-2013, 06:35 PM

Not sure on fabia but as it based on the polo I would say its due to the extra height at the rear like the polo. In stock form the polo GTI has 60mm at the biggest gap from the top of the tyre to the edge of the guard (straight up and down) where as the back is 85mm (25mm more) so by dropping 25 front 40 rear there's 15 mm more drop at the back but its still 10mm higher then the front it just makes the gap more even front to back.

**BrashDaniels** · 05-04-2013, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by belegur

Hey all...

There is a great post over on Briskoda about this, but some of the kits they're using are different to what is readily available here.

Looking to drop my Fabia RS MK2 a bit... there's a H&amp;R kit that's well priced, but apparently it's a 25mm drop at the front, and a 40mm drop at the rear. I'm concerned the wheel arch gaps won't be consistent, and the car will look like it's carrying 2 large adults in the back all the time.

Has anyone out there lowered their RS? If so, what springs did you use? and did you find much difference in the ride or handling? Does the car squat evenly front to rear... or is it raked higher at the rear or front?

Any feedback appreciated.

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But are any of these overseas kits that good that it's worth getting one than just getting a custom set here?

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**LunchboxVRS** · 06-04-2013, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by BrashDaniels

But are any of these overseas kits that good that it's worth getting one than just getting a custom set here?

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What do you mean by custom? Not sure if pedders make a set for it. Most Australian company's who have them get them from overseas i.e APR have VWR now. I would think the volume sold here would not warrant the expense to design them specifically for the market. Where as in Europe the sell more and can afford to developer kits and sell in volume. The H&r springs are the best bang for buck if you just want some low,and a bit more firmness they do help a little with roll but not as much as say a sway bar will stop pitch, but this is really only noted at speed in a corner which 90% of the time you won't notice as your not driving at the edge.

**noone** · 06-04-2013, 11:26 AM

I'd ask DPM performance in the UK. They do a lot of suspension for VAG's, knows his stuff and is competitive for hardware and freight.

**BrashDaniels** · 06-04-2013, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by lunchboxGTI

What do you mean by custom? Not sure if pedders make a set for it. Most Australian company's who have them get them from overseas i.e APR have VWR now. I would think the volume sold here would not warrant the expense to design them specifically for the market. Where as in Europe the sell more and can afford to developer kits and sell in volume. The H&r springs are the best bang for buck if you just want some low,and a bit more firmness they do help a little with roll but not as much as say a sway bar will stop pitch, but this is really only noted at speed in a corner which 90% of the time you won't notice as your not driving at the edge.

Sorry, by custom I meant going into a local tuner shop and buying something local like a KING springs and MONROE shocks. Remember, I'm a nurse. I know bits about cars mechanics, but only the bits I have been forced to do over the years. The finer points I need clarification on.

So. You are saying the Euro parts are more advanced in development and perform so much better than the few local manufacturers, that that makes the import worth the hassle? VWR and H&R seem to get great write ups. Seems lots of people go for Eibach too. Are they more a generic sports part?

But then I have found links to some of the parts providers for the rally sport teams that seem to have development gear for sale to the public too. But does that go to the other end of the extreme and then over complicate the objective?

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**LunchboxVRS** · 06-04-2013, 01:13 PM

Using rally parts Is going a little to far for the road. I had a quick look and could not find and king springs, Monroe stuff for the fabia/polo. (not saying it doesn't exists I just couldn't find it) but looking at some king springs for another small car the price seems to be about $350 -400. I got my H&R springs from Germany for about $220 including post and arrived in under two weeks so importing can be cheaper and just as easy so there is no hassle 99% of the time

Development wise they are probably well ahead but at the same there not design for our environment. for 99% of the time roads they will be good but there not really tuned for Rougher roads so can be a little harsh on Aussie back roads.

**BrashDaniels** · 07-04-2013, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by lunchboxGTI

Using rally parts Is going a little to far for the road. I had a quick look and could not find and king springs, Monroe stuff for the fabia/polo. (not saying it doesn't exists I just couldn't find it) but looking at some king springs for another small car the price seems to be about $350 -400. I got my H&R springs from Germany for about $220 including post and arrived in under two weeks so importing can be cheaper and just as easy so there is no hassle 99% of the time

Development wise they are probably well ahead but at the same there not design for our environment. for 99% of the time roads they will be good but there not really tuned for Rougher roads so can be a little harsh on Aussie back roads.

Sounds like gospel to me. I paid about 375 to lower my Echo. And I do keep finding importing parts is cheaper. Must be the low volume market forcing higher margins?

Getting back on topic, looks like 25mm/40mm is the rule, and we seem to be the first people doing a lot of the mods, so we get to find out what works and what don't

No one has any way of choosing Eibach vs H and R vs VWR vs whatever else there is?

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**LunchboxVRS** · 07-04-2013, 08:19 AM

There all pretty similar. The average person wouldn't notice the differences. Have a look in the polo 6r (mk5) looking at GTI. Anything done to the suspension on the GTI will work on yours. I have H&R for mine but yet to fit. i have installed them for others and there pretty good. A littl firmer. You can go the 35/55 but insurance may not like that and it can scrub even with stock wheels.