B6 Passat Suspension Advice

[Unkonwn_User]

Hey guys, I have been researching for the past 2 weeks on Suspension choices for my 2.0T B6 fwd.

Ive read posts about FK options, ST coilovers, KW etc I've also seen the Koni FSD and the HR Cup kits.. Even Driver gear springs + new shocks.. All this research has been during work hours mind you

I really just need some advice for my situation, I think I looked at too many options and now am back to square one (confused by a wealth of information).

I'm after closing the wheel gap to being just above the tyre (not too low or the slammed look). Now my main concern is I love how it rides in terms of comfort on my stock shocks... I want to slightly stiffen it up (this is not my main priority) so its mostly an aesthetic drop retaining the ride (no crashing, no bouncing on highways etc, no excessive shuddering on uneven roads). I know lowering the suspension will obviously change how it rides, but something that's not excessive.

Any input to guide me back towards the right direction???? The car has stock 17's but id be looking for a new pair of 18's (i'd love 19's but again don't want to sacrifice the ride). I was thinking the ST coilovers but i dont know if this might be a bit excessive.. Landing parts to Australia seems pretty similar for a good spring / shock vs a lower end coilovers.

Any feedback greatly appreciated!!

[passat123]

I'm sort of in the same boat as you.. B7 TDI FWD and must reduce (NOT close) the gap.

I've done a ton of research. Considered just springs, shocks and spring combo or coilovers.

I don't know if you would be happy with springs only? I've decided to get H&R sport springs all around. They are rated to a 35-40mm drop, I haven't fit them yet, waiting for rego to pass then I'll be getting tyres for the VW Lugano 19" (not yet fitted) and springs done. I'll be keeping the stock shocks all around too..
I think the H&R springs on stock shocks will leave me with ~20mm gap at the front and ~30mm gap at the rear..

I was considering Eibach springs (rated to a 30mm drop) only because Eibach claim they are designed to work well with all the stock components but I know I wouldn't be happy with just 30mm.

I'm not considering coil overs because they would be too stiff and I wouldn't use them for what they are made for. I wouldn't be changing the height once they're set and I no longer hoon around so I wouldn't need it's sharp responsiveness..

[Timlin]

I have a B6 R36 wagon and I upgraded to the KW V3's and K&R swaybars.

When I first picked the car up from the workshop it instantly felt like a different car. The ride was naturally much firmer, but the car also became more pointy, more predictable in its handling etc. I also had all of the bushes upgraded to performance versions too, plus the dog-bone mount as well.

Before I undertook this upgrade I also did a heap of research and I too found myself paralysed by choice! The was too much to choose from and I only like to buy things once - I hate having to replace something I've already replaced!

So I focussed on a few of the members opinions and looked at their cars and what they'd done etc - better to learn from someone who's done it rather than make a mistake!

Theres a few members on this forum who have done amazing builds and transformed their cars in to incredible machines, one of those guys is AP who owns (amongst other sensational cars) a 3-door Golf fitted with a twin-turbo R36 engine that puts out a healthy 650hp!

The total build is of NASA specs - nothing is "over-the-top" or just put there for looks/gimmick etc, this is a sensational build that must be seen to fully comprehend.

Anyway, AP recommended KW V3's, I think he's fitted KW's to most of his cars. They're not cheap, but they are good - really, really good.

After seeing what his standards are, I figured well, if they're good enough for his monster builds, then they're probably good enough for my car too!

So, I went to the same workshop (CPC) that built AP's crazy Golf, got quoted up and had the job done! Never looked back since then. I had some new OZ racing wheels supplied by CPC a few months later and that too made a huge difference to the handing. Less unspung weight in each corner was very evident.

Soon I'll be fitting a VWR BBK (front & rear) and then that'll be it for the drivetrain/suspension upgrades - not a cheap exercise, but zero regrets either.

Get the V3's mate, you won't be sorry you did!


AT

[BrettD]

For the look you're after, at a pretty cheap cost, still with great handling..go the H&R Sport springs.

If you have the $$$ to go all out good luck to you. But I had the Eibach on my B5.5 and they were great, but the H&R are more so on my B6.

Just my opinion having been there to.

[passat123]

Brett, did the H&Rs you fitted do a 40mm drop?

[Unkonwn_User]

Timlin thanks for your post! Its good to hear some one else also felt paralysed by too many threads with no real direction coming from Jap cars its a hard learning curve that passats just don't have that many modders to learn from (and i sort of like it that way). Although my car would probably not require all the benefits V3's bring. If i had a R36 myself it would be a much easier choice (best of the best)...

Brett - Im also interested to hear if there was a 40mm drop?

The only thing that is worrying me about shock / spring combos is I saw a lot of threads with the infamous raking (back higher than the front). That would really annoy me!!!!

More input GREATLY appreciated

[BrettD]

Yea guys I'm hearin with regards to the amount of info out there.

Got the 40mm, though he raking was more so the other way if anything.. touch higher at front.
I have seen a kit which you can install that acts like a coilover adjuster. If I find it I'll post link

[Unkonwn_User]

Yea guys I'm hearin with regards to the amount of info out there.

Got the 40mm, though he raking was more so the other way if anything.. touch higher at front.
I have seen a kit which you can install that acts like a coilover adjuster. If I find it I'll post link

Brett did you have a side shot of your B6 you could post with the 40mm drop? Also what size wheels / tyres are you running?

Thanks

[Unkonwn_User]

Hi guys, thread rebump but this one had good information so I thought i'd keep it alive for others.

Would 40mm springs be too much for stock shocks?? I've now got 19's on the car