Which of my struts are best?

[Junglist]

I have 3 sets of suspension - the set on my car, the set on my 70,000 mile scrapper and the 120,000 mile set i acquired from a gtx said to be "an excellent ride". I'm changing the springs anyway, but how do I know which are the best struts to pick?

Do I just pick the low mileage ones even though they're on an incredibly rusty and poorly looked after car?

Or do I just pick the ones I'm told are good and assume that what the seller told me is the case?

I reckon the ones on my car have been there since new and are therefore 160,000 miles run in. They don't feel too sharp and the springs aren't very old at all so it's the struts or the bushes (which I'm changing anyway).

Is there a way of testing struts to suss out which ones are the best?

I have a budget of virtually zero so sourcing other struts is not really an option unless I can get some kind of mega bargain. I'd make sure I found some money if it was really really worth it. I'd rob a bank or something! Any additional advice is also welcome. Thanks in advance people.

[81GTi]

strip all the units down and compress and release them by hand, your looking for a nice smooth firm action, any jerking or slipping or fluid on the pistons and I would bin them.

[Junglist]

What if they're both smooth and fluid free? Do i just go off which ones i reckon look better? Or is there another test i can do?

A mate had a look at the gtx suspension and said they don't look like they've got long left so he wouldn't fit them. He also said he's no expert as he doesn't have any experience with VWs! He also said he didn't think the strut top mounts on the front struts should be loose and rattly (which they are) so they might be screwed unless there's something different about VW suspension he's not aware of. Is he right? He said he couldn't be certain due to lack of specific knowledge.

He's built and rebuilt and dismantled quite a few minis in his time and knows loads about engines and track cars so he's got infinite knowledge compared to my small chunk of info i've picked up!

[81GTi]

he's right, he is no expet on VW suspension, strut top mounts do appear loose and rattly when not fitted, although disconcerting it is normal.

if they are both smooth and fluid free then I would fit the best looking ones 50ml of anti freeze in each mount ;)

[Junglist]

Thanks mate, i'll do that. Very helpful. Was considering replacing the shock inserts but it's starting to look too expensive.