B7 R-Line... is there such a thing?

[passat123]

15mm drop will not be worth it. I did 40mm and it handles and feels very similar to stock. Only harsh moment is on speed bumps.

I got my steering wheel from a seller on ebay for $1100 (flat bottom and paddles).

Got an R Line badge in the grille too.

Trust me, you'll regret not going 40mm lower if you only do 15mm.

[dero]

Do you have DCC installed in your car?

Can you post a before and after photo of the car with the new springs?

As for the R-Line badge, it's just a stick-on decal off eBay? I saw one variety being a stick on, another being a screw in style.

[passat123]

Nah, haven't got DCC

I got an actual badge, it has a bracket which holds in place on the grille. The only decal/stick on work I do is on the glass, I dont use tape etc on paintwork.


With a front lip


Pretty much before and after
19", H&R 40mm drop, front lip, R Line badge in grille


19" with stock suspension


Before front lip

[dero]

Thank you for the photos!

I've had a look at the standard height of the tyres to the edge of the rim and there's about 40mm so going by your photos, dropping that 40mm works to approximately the tyres coming to about the height of the rim. That gives me a great reference point to aim for.

Can I ask how wince-inducing are speedbumps and parking bay concrete stop bars now for you with your additional front lip and -40mm ride height? I'm guessing with the addition of the front lip, your front is riding maybe -45mm from stock?

I've found a seller relatively local who offers the steering wheel with DSG paddles for around the price you got from eBay. Was installation expensive/time consuming? Were you able to get rid of the stock wheel on the secondhand market? Finally, the front lip - was that a self installation and easy to do? I'm liking all the look of changes you've made to your car and I'm considering doing some similar things to mine.

I'm also considering watching the wreckers second hand parts online to see when they pick up a Passat or other VW with same-part-item Xenon and LED front and back lights and see if I can pick up a set for upgrade cheaply.

I will probably do them in stages. What I need to do some research on first though is whether there's a recalibration needed in the DCC if I lower the springs so the sensors know what new settings they're monitoring.

[passat123]

Speed bumps are pretty rough, need to drive over them at rolling speed and foot on brake otherwise its harsh. As for concrete stop bars, need to stay clear! the lip is lower than them. I think the front lip is about 110mm from the ground.

The MFSW took less than 8 mins to install, I literally timed it. Yeah, I sold the stock MFSW. Make sure you get an airbag with the new MFSW! The stock one will not fit.

I bought the lip and got an automotive body shop to paint and fit. Fitting is only done by double sided tape and screwed into the front bar.

If you buy the Xenon and LED lights you will also need the wiring harness and control module for it. I don't think its a good upgrade due to the cost involved. May be best to get a Chinese aftermarket version.

[dero]

Serious?? Wow - quick swap over for the steering wheel then! This would hopefully be a quick and easy change then. Did you have to do some computer component recoding to have the car recognise that it's got a new steering wheel/airbag/MFD buttons/DSG paddles? Does it need it in order to keep the car in a road worthy and safety ready position that in the event of an accident that the air bag would deploy?

Thanks for the info about the lip as well - I may get one. Might get a rear one as well to balance the look as well.

Understand what you also are saying about the Xenons. I had a read earlier today and it seems that there's a particular part specific for what I need as well - UK/Au market RHD car so the angle of lighting won't dazzle oncoming drivers, plus as my car has DCC, there's another specific type which is needed as the lights need to be mated with DCC enabled cars.
(Bi-Xenon Headlights LED DTRL - Upgrade - VW Passat B7-38597_8_M)
This one shows 3 options of lights, with electronic shock absorber, 4Motion and FWD. Expensive too... might have to pass on them. the rear LEDs though don't seem to have as specific a requirement though.

Any ideas which model VWs use the same rear light clusters as the Passat?

[passat123]

Yea, all I has to program was the paddles. Just need to activate one option in VCDS. There is no issue with it being roadworthy or not, its an OEM VW MFSW, not an aftermarket wooden one.

If you get a rear apron/lip you might also need side skirts.

Headlights & Taillights & Parts - page 3

Passat OEM Bi- Xenon + Dynamic Headlights 3AC941043 + 3AC941044 - for UK and RHD markets