Back in a VW

[Tom93]

at the moment its running black bilstein shocks and weitec (im assuming as they are bright green) lowering springs. unsure at the moment to just get a new set of shocks and springs as the ones in it are a bit shaggered, or go for Coilovers and be able to adjust height and dampening to what feels best..

[sports racer]

at the moment its running black bilstein shocks and weitec (im assuming as they are bright green) lowering springs. unsure at the moment to just get a new set of shocks and springs as the ones in it are a bit shaggered, or go for Coilovers and be able to adjust height and dampening to what feels best..

Adjustable coilovers (dampening & rebound) will always be the best but they cost a fortune.

Here's what I recommend while you save up your money and it may sound stupid but it works - standard shocks with your Weitec springs.

OK, before you think I'm crazy here's the reasoning behind this choice. Coilovers that let you adjust the bump/rebound make adjustments to the coilover, not the spring, so whether the car rides soft or hard it's still using the same springs. It's the coilovers that dictate how harsh the car drives over rough roads and speedbumps so the softer the coilover the softer the ride. The springs are only there to hold up the car and resist body roll through corners. Lower, stiffer springs are what helps you go through corners fast and you’ve already got them but you need to have decent tyres. There’s nothing worse than low performance tyres on a well setup car.

Yes I know shocks should be matched to springs (or at least the manufacturers tell you so and surely they wouldn't lie just to get extra money out of you) but unless you're fitting racing springs you can get away with soft shocks on hard springs.

My MK2 had cheap very stiff coilovers and the handling was great but very harsh over country roads and I drive 200ks every day to Canberra and back home so 2 hours per day was annoying. I fitted Spax sports suspension and it still handled great but was a lot more forgiving on country roads and speedbumps. I then went to standard shocks on the front (with the Spax springs) and the MK2 was magic to drive - I could still hammer it through roundabouts but now I could hit speedbumps at a decent speed and rough country roads were nice to drive. I drove like this for a year and never bothered to look for coilovers. My money went elsewhere.

After I wrote off the MK2 I put the suspension into my Seat Cupra but it wasn’t as good through corners (I like to drive with my passengers pinned to the windows) so I fitted a rear sway bar and now it’s pretty good. The Seat is heavier than the MK2 so needed the extra work. At the VW Nationals I took a MK1 owner for a run in my Seat and he couldn’t believe how hard I could take corners or go over speedbumps. I was surprised at his reaction as his MK1 has coilovers and when you push on the roof from the side of the car it doesn’t move so it should be quick through corners.

Try it, it’s a cheap option while you save up for good coilovers and you may be surprised how long you drive with this setup.

Cheers

Paul