lowering my mk1

[Jarred]

if you lower it too much it gets REALLY bumpy, to the point where i actually started feeling sick after a drive.....plus it scrapes and bottoms out all the time so you cant go fast.

this is my experience anyway......

how much are you talking about lowering? mine's lowered a truck load, and i hardly ever scrape and bottom out. i've only hit bump stops about 3 or 4 times, in as many months being low.

feeling sick has also got to do with what tyres you run. the coils are really stiff, and on 15's with 45 profile, it's a stiff, but not sickening ride, on 14's with 60 profiles it's actually alot comfier, and on 13' with 75-80 profile (stockies) it can kinda feel like being on teh sea, due to the only movement being in the sidewall of the tyre (mainly) feels kinda wallow-y and a little sickening for those who aren't used to it.

there's lots of variables that makes things 'really bumpy', is what i'm trying to get at. out of curiosity, AUC05L, what setup did the mk 1 that you're basing your opinion on, have. (or whose car was it?) Please note, i'm not having a go at you.

[lawny]

and on 13' with 75-80 profile (stockies) it can kinda feel like being on teh sea, due to the only movement being in the sidewall of the tyre (mainly) feels kinda wallow-y and a little sickening for those who aren't used to it.

i am running the stock tyres with the 13"phonedials i bought. so does this mean go for the coilovers or spring compression?

[revnit]

If i was running 13" rims and not looking to upgrade id just drop in a set of King springs to lower it even if you plan to up size wheels and tires the car will still sit reasonably low ( you can always ryobi tune them ) if your looking at handling side of things bit of fun in the twisty stuff coilovers are the only way to go being a diesel you might have to look into front and rear sways bars to get the best benefits.

[lawny]

yeah it already has front and rear sway bars fitted, sounding like i should just go the lowered springs then

[Gipson]

ive fitted coils on mine lawny put them in recently and very happy with the results, will only take you a morning or so to fit and dont make the car unbearable to drive. it really depends how often you drive your mk1, i only take mine out when its sunny and usually only down to work so its not getting a huge amount of ks on the coilovers, saying that my stock suspension was very boaty and soft and the firmer ride on the coils feels alot more comfortable to me.

I originally didnt like the coils because it sounded as though the rear was scrubbing on bigger bumps, however it turned out that my tailgate would bottom itself out on the metal making a crunching sound, some rubber in between got rid of it and havent had any problems since.

i havent had a ride in a mk1 with lowered or compressed springs but i cant see there would be a hell of a lot of difference in the firmness of the ride. perhaps take a spin in a car with coils and a car with springs if there is some guys local to you willing to help out?

[WABIT]

well for some handy info, i daily mine, and its as low as it could possibly go without modifying suspension or chassis legs to clear driveshafts, AND! im on low profile tyres

cheers
dom

[MiKe1_golf]

is this your daily drive?

if you want to go low coilovers are the best option. i've got a mk1 with no springs in it at all. and one with coilovers in it. and the one with coilovers is lower! (in front)

[AUC-05L]

how much are you talking about lowering? mine's lowered a truck load, and i hardly ever scrape and bottom out. i've only hit bump stops about 3 or 4 times, in as many months being low.

feeling sick has also got to do with what tyres you run. the coils are really stiff, and on 15's with 45 profile, it's a stiff, but not sickening ride, on 14's with 60 profiles it's actually alot comfier, and on 13' with 75-80 profile (stockies) it can kinda feel like being on teh sea, due to the only movement being in the sidewall of the tyre (mainly) feels kinda wallow-y and a little sickening for those who aren't used to it.

there's lots of variables that makes things 'really bumpy', is what i'm trying to get at. out of curiosity, AUC05L, what setup did the mk 1 that you're basing your opinion on, have. (or whose car was it?) Please note, i'm not having a go at you.

this is my opinion about my car (current daily), im running new shocks all round with a coil over insert spring setup, so i have ride hight adjustment. when i put them in i dropped it till you couldnt fit your hand between the tyre and guard, it was bumpy as hell but settled down after a few weeks.

i have raised it a bit more since then, and will have to go up even further as it keeps bottoming out......maybe the roads round my place are worse or something.....im running stock 13 inch rims and tyres, the car looks bog stock to the untrained eye.

cheers

[evorobin]

The truth is fixed kits (spring & matched dampers) cost as much as coils to buy. Yes they are more comfortable but they only lower half as far.

Hottuning fixed kits for instance can be a 40mm, 60/40 & 80/60 drop.

[dub be good to me]

I've also been looking into adjustable coilovers recently. I lowered my car with a JOM kit (springs and shocks) which has been great, but feel the need to go lower!

Want a lower ride height, but want to maintain some softness for street use (I realise these are almost mutually exclusive ), so I've been looking into more expensive coilover kits..

Does anyone have any experience with GAZ or AVO coilovers?